The Mattawa Museum is turning 40 this year, and the doors open for the season this Saturday, May 18th. “We'll have events and special exhibits throughout the summer,” to celebrate the milestone, museum curator Judy Toupin said.
Mark June 29th on your calendar because a new exhibit opens “dedicated to the women of our community” Toupin said. She will give more details closer to the date, but she was happy to announce that one of our country music pioneers, Julie Lynn will be there for the soft opening on June 20th.
Lynn, born Julia Catherine Flynn, called Mattawa home in her late teens, where she began her music career as a member of Pauline Noland & Her Jamboree Pals, and later forming her own Julie Lynn Showband. In 1970 she began recording with Dominion before moving to Condor Records. She had 12 singles chart in Canada.
There will also be a barbeque on June 29th and the museum is hosting a soft opening of the exhibit on Thursday, June 20th. No BBQ or Julie Lynn for that day, though.
Museum staff are looking forward to another season and are grateful to the volunteers – specifically Jim Burton and Shannon McNamarra – for helping them get ready for opening day. Over the winter some renovations were done inside as well, to improve the accessibility of the bathrooms.
Speaking of staff, the museum is also looking for someone under the Canada Youth Summer Jobs program, so spread the word to the youngsters in your life. Check the museum’s website for all of the details.
The museum is located at 285 First Street, Mattawa, just past the bridge on Explorer’s Point. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the season opener is Saturday, May 18th, 2024. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $2 for students with a student card. Family passes (for the immediate family, don’t try to tag Uncle Steve in there) is $15. Or go out and show some historic support by buying an individual membership for $35 or a family membership for $45.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
