8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, July 27, 1999 _ * Cwxpo /Tapping museum potential has only j*ust begun By IRENE GENTILE The Champion A visit to Milton's Farm LIMuseu m can be like a 1 Xslow waltz down mem- ory lane for area seniors. For urban kids, it's like gaining entry into another world. Either way, the historical museum is headed for a fabulous future, said general manager Reg Cressman. That despite having its funding pulled by the Ontario govemment three years back. It's aIl part of a three-year plan to make the former Ontario Agricultural Museum scîf-sufficient by 2001. IWe don't just have a passive museum where people just visit once," said Mr. Creasman. -We're trying ta create an active tourism site." A background in both business and agri- culture bas armeti Mr. Cressman witb a vision in whicb tie past, present andi future of farming are intertwincd. Deep moots in the past will shlow thc 32- hectare site boasting a collection of 30 old farm buildings and exbibitg to bloom in the future, saiti Mr. Cressman. "What we want to do is look back tbrough a historical lens," he said. Ricbly textured period pieces sucb as a log pioncer farmstead, an 1876 church, aur 1886 achool bouse and spcwing, sputtering steam engines bring history to life at the museufl. The feeling of being transporteti into thc past continues through the presence of r blacksmiùth, who can be founti working je bis smitby during summer weckend visit ing hours. But Uic museum won't stand the test o time without incorporating some ver, modemn ideas, said Mr. Cresaman. Current crop and livestock displays illus trate the work involved on a present da' farmn. But the contemporary touch ie mos prominent in the new, service-oriented ait tudc of the museumn. "Evcrything we do je aimed at delightin our customers," said Mr. Cressman. ": you aren't service orîented, you aren going to survive." A one-year contract running an amusi ment park in Waterloo helped M Crestruan sharpen bis business acumen. It also helpetiprovide on the job trainii i n target marketing. Kitis, seniors and young families wl likely be the museum's bread and butter as it struggles for self-sufficiency, said Mr. Cressman. Eventually, that mandate will expand to include tourism. The complex will become even more precious as Milton expands ieu urban bor- ders, predicted Mr. Cressman. -I think it's critical that this facility be maintained," he said. "There isn't a single person who has said this is a dumb thing to do." The museumn will preserve a taute of old Milton within the new growth, said Mr. Cressman. "Nestled in the middle of ail Chat (new development) will be a plcasant heritage centre where people will be able to touch their.roots," he said. Today, the biggest hurdie ie getting the public to realize that the complex je open for business. But with attendance gathering stcam, Mr. Cressman plans to revitalize the musc- umn through a combination of entrepreneur- ial energy and public spirit. He would like to see the latter come from a minority share acquired by the Ontar'io govemment. It is a viable vision for a place with such tremrendous - though until now untappcd - potential, contendcd Mr. Cressman. .My gucas is there bas neyer been a dri- ving force permitting it to, become entre- preneurial," he said. Thcse days, the facility je making its name as a colourful site for gatherings Ssuch as weddings and corporate functions. Education programa geared to school -children are aIea a main thruet of the muse- um, which charges $3.99 a head for the f experience. The programa are designed ta be in accordance with the new Ontario school curriculum. y Not satisfied with the museumn being an educational haven for things past and pre- ;t sent, Mr. Cressman is ready to showcasc i- the direction of agriculture's future.* "History neyer stops, ît's only a point in, g time," he said. "The development of agri- [f culture is an ongoing continuum." 't The Farm Museum is located at, 144 Tremaine Road and is open to the publié weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through r. July andi August. Admission is $7 for adulte, $6 for tg seniors and $4 for children 6-12. For more information, caîl the museum ill at 878-815 1. V.- Photo by GRAHAM PAINE A vmntage Sawyer Massey steam engins la Just one of the treats at the Farm Museum, now head- ed by general manager Reg Cresman. Ceableworks 14 Programming Sohedule - July 2Oth - JuIy 26th, 1999 I I I 1I9 I< 530,6:30, 7:3oar iege 07pm Plugged In! 5:30, 6:30, 7:30prruge n 0 2 Pluggead In! Sirnse Day iri n 6 OOpm Tire Garden Tour 6 lOyer SportsZONE Garne of 6:0p Thre Issue I CO MU IC TI N Tre Garden Tour 306 Acton Feature of the week: Tina Teggart keeps you Plugged in! with a new show each day! 12 Mais Street North, Actes, ON L7J IV9 519-8531270, r 853-4700 *T a ki n g yo 0 u r c a bi1 e ful r t h e r A1