Alyssa Gomori is three months into her curator position at Erland Lee Museum and she’s enjoying every minute at the National Historic Site.
“This is my dream job,” the Hamilton resident said. “I get to work with history and meet new people every day, and not a day goes by where I don’t learn something new.”
Gomori is the first curator at Erland Lee Museum since its reopening in April 2013.
The museum – originally a farmhouse belonging to Erland and Janet Lee and recognized as the birthplace of the first Women’s Institute – was closed in 2010, after a study commissioned by owners and operators the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario revealed a $1-million repair and upgrade backlog. It also was shuttered because of several liability issues.
Gomori’s lifelong dream had been to work in a museum – specifically a historic home.
She obtained a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Toronto and wanted to work at Erland Lee Museum after volunteering there for a year.
“I got to know the history of the Lee family, Women’s Institute, volunteers and absolutely fell in love with the museum,” Gomori said. “This museum is a real gem in our community and I wanted to help spread the word about the history you can learn without venturing too far from home.”
Gomori jumped into the curator position with both feet, right in the midst of the busy summer season.
She’s been busy learning everything she can about the history of the museum, planning programming and events and working to get the word out ever since.
“It’s been busy and there have been challenges, but I love my job,” Gomori said. “The volunteers are so friendly, welcoming and incredibly hard-working – all traits of the Women’s Institute in general – and the FWIO office has been so supportive.”
Gomori has a few goals for the museum moving forward.
She aims to bring in more children through revamped educational programming.
“It’s so important that museums are accessible to kids, whether they visit with their schools or families, and we have lots of opportunities for hands-on activities,” Gomori said. “We also want to encourage other youth-oriented groups, such as Girl Guides or Scouts, to visit the museum for a fun excursion.”
Gomori also hopes to feature rotating exhibits throughout the year to offer visitors a new experience each time.
She’s currently working on one that will showcase the WI memorabilia that was given to the museum by visitors from the United Kingdom over the summer.
“The WI celebrated its centenary in the UK this year and many groups of ladies ventured over to Stoney Creek to see where it all began,” Gomori said. “This exhibit will showcase our strong bond with our overseas sisters.”
In addition, Gomori’s looking to do a complete inventory of all archival materials and artifacts at the museum and to recruit more volunteers.
“Collections work often gets placed at the end of priority lists and I don’t want that to be the case at the museum,” Gomori said. “Collections work is extremely time-consuming, so this will be a long-term project that could be assisted by volunteers.”
There also are a variety of planned events happening at the museum over the next few months, including a craft workshop on Oct. 17, Halloween kids party on Oct. 24, holiday ornament crafting on Nov. 14 and holiday centrepiece making on Dec. 5.
Erland Lee Museum contains three floors of original Victorian furniture and furnishings, with an emphasis on the history of the Lee family and the events surrounding the founding of the Women's Institutes in 1897. The dining room table on which Janet Lee penned the first Women’s Institute constitution still stands in its original location.
Gomori said there is much to experience at the museum.
“I think my ultimate hope moving forward is to increase exposure in the community,” she said. “We are a small site, but we have a big story to tell, and I just want the people of Hamilton and Stoney Creek to be aware of the significant history that was made right in their own backyard.”
For more information on the museum, its programming and events, call 905-662-2691 or visit fwio.on.ca/erland.
Alyssa Gomori is three months into her curator position at Erland Lee Museum and she’s enjoying every minute at the National Historic Site.
“This is my dream job,” the Hamilton resident said. “I get to work with history and meet new people every day, and not a day goes by where I don’t learn something new.”
Gomori is the first curator at Erland Lee Museum since its reopening in April 2013.
The museum – originally a farmhouse belonging to Erland and Janet Lee and recognized as the birthplace of the first Women’s Institute – was closed in 2010, after a study commissioned by owners and operators the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario revealed a $1-million repair and upgrade backlog. It also was shuttered because of several liability issues.
Gomori’s lifelong dream had been to work in a museum – specifically a historic home.
She obtained a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Toronto and wanted to work at Erland Lee Museum after volunteering there for a year.
“I got to know the history of the Lee family, Women’s Institute, volunteers and absolutely fell in love with the museum,” Gomori said. “This museum is a real gem in our community and I wanted to help spread the word about the history you can learn without venturing too far from home.”
Gomori jumped into the curator position with both feet, right in the midst of the busy summer season.
She’s been busy learning everything she can about the history of the museum, planning programming and events and working to get the word out ever since.
“It’s been busy and there have been challenges, but I love my job,” Gomori said. “The volunteers are so friendly, welcoming and incredibly hard-working – all traits of the Women’s Institute in general – and the FWIO office has been so supportive.”
Gomori has a few goals for the museum moving forward.
She aims to bring in more children through revamped educational programming.
“It’s so important that museums are accessible to kids, whether they visit with their schools or families, and we have lots of opportunities for hands-on activities,” Gomori said. “We also want to encourage other youth-oriented groups, such as Girl Guides or Scouts, to visit the museum for a fun excursion.”
Gomori also hopes to feature rotating exhibits throughout the year to offer visitors a new experience each time.
She’s currently working on one that will showcase the WI memorabilia that was given to the museum by visitors from the United Kingdom over the summer.
“The WI celebrated its centenary in the UK this year and many groups of ladies ventured over to Stoney Creek to see where it all began,” Gomori said. “This exhibit will showcase our strong bond with our overseas sisters.”
In addition, Gomori’s looking to do a complete inventory of all archival materials and artifacts at the museum and to recruit more volunteers.
“Collections work often gets placed at the end of priority lists and I don’t want that to be the case at the museum,” Gomori said. “Collections work is extremely time-consuming, so this will be a long-term project that could be assisted by volunteers.”
There also are a variety of planned events happening at the museum over the next few months, including a craft workshop on Oct. 17, Halloween kids party on Oct. 24, holiday ornament crafting on Nov. 14 and holiday centrepiece making on Dec. 5.
Erland Lee Museum contains three floors of original Victorian furniture and furnishings, with an emphasis on the history of the Lee family and the events surrounding the founding of the Women's Institutes in 1897. The dining room table on which Janet Lee penned the first Women’s Institute constitution still stands in its original location.
Gomori said there is much to experience at the museum.
“I think my ultimate hope moving forward is to increase exposure in the community,” she said. “We are a small site, but we have a big story to tell, and I just want the people of Hamilton and Stoney Creek to be aware of the significant history that was made right in their own backyard.”
For more information on the museum, its programming and events, call 905-662-2691 or visit fwio.on.ca/erland.
Alyssa Gomori is three months into her curator position at Erland Lee Museum and she’s enjoying every minute at the National Historic Site.
“This is my dream job,” the Hamilton resident said. “I get to work with history and meet new people every day, and not a day goes by where I don’t learn something new.”
Gomori is the first curator at Erland Lee Museum since its reopening in April 2013.
The museum – originally a farmhouse belonging to Erland and Janet Lee and recognized as the birthplace of the first Women’s Institute – was closed in 2010, after a study commissioned by owners and operators the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario revealed a $1-million repair and upgrade backlog. It also was shuttered because of several liability issues.
Gomori’s lifelong dream had been to work in a museum – specifically a historic home.
She obtained a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Toronto and wanted to work at Erland Lee Museum after volunteering there for a year.
“I got to know the history of the Lee family, Women’s Institute, volunteers and absolutely fell in love with the museum,” Gomori said. “This museum is a real gem in our community and I wanted to help spread the word about the history you can learn without venturing too far from home.”
Gomori jumped into the curator position with both feet, right in the midst of the busy summer season.
She’s been busy learning everything she can about the history of the museum, planning programming and events and working to get the word out ever since.
“It’s been busy and there have been challenges, but I love my job,” Gomori said. “The volunteers are so friendly, welcoming and incredibly hard-working – all traits of the Women’s Institute in general – and the FWIO office has been so supportive.”
Gomori has a few goals for the museum moving forward.
She aims to bring in more children through revamped educational programming.
“It’s so important that museums are accessible to kids, whether they visit with their schools or families, and we have lots of opportunities for hands-on activities,” Gomori said. “We also want to encourage other youth-oriented groups, such as Girl Guides or Scouts, to visit the museum for a fun excursion.”
Gomori also hopes to feature rotating exhibits throughout the year to offer visitors a new experience each time.
She’s currently working on one that will showcase the WI memorabilia that was given to the museum by visitors from the United Kingdom over the summer.
“The WI celebrated its centenary in the UK this year and many groups of ladies ventured over to Stoney Creek to see where it all began,” Gomori said. “This exhibit will showcase our strong bond with our overseas sisters.”
In addition, Gomori’s looking to do a complete inventory of all archival materials and artifacts at the museum and to recruit more volunteers.
“Collections work often gets placed at the end of priority lists and I don’t want that to be the case at the museum,” Gomori said. “Collections work is extremely time-consuming, so this will be a long-term project that could be assisted by volunteers.”
There also are a variety of planned events happening at the museum over the next few months, including a craft workshop on Oct. 17, Halloween kids party on Oct. 24, holiday ornament crafting on Nov. 14 and holiday centrepiece making on Dec. 5.
Erland Lee Museum contains three floors of original Victorian furniture and furnishings, with an emphasis on the history of the Lee family and the events surrounding the founding of the Women's Institutes in 1897. The dining room table on which Janet Lee penned the first Women’s Institute constitution still stands in its original location.
Gomori said there is much to experience at the museum.
“I think my ultimate hope moving forward is to increase exposure in the community,” she said. “We are a small site, but we have a big story to tell, and I just want the people of Hamilton and Stoney Creek to be aware of the significant history that was made right in their own backyard.”
For more information on the museum, its programming and events, call 905-662-2691 or visit fwio.on.ca/erland.