Hello everyone! Sparked by a letter to the editor which appeared in a Picton, Ontario newspaper on June 3, 2005, I wrote to the Manager of the Museums in Prince Edward County to find out what the situation is at this point in time. The Rose House Museum in Marysburg Township does represent German and particular Hessian soldier history in Canada like no other museum does. Last year we had a wonderful 'Hessian Day' in remembrance of the 220 years the first settlers landed and settled. This was much supported by the Manager of Museums, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter, and here is her reply to my query. Please read and help to preserve this unique historical building for the future. These German pioneers deserve to be remembered. Yours truly John (Johannes) Helmut Merz, author of The Hessians of Upper Canada, and The Hessians of Marysburgh. ----- Original Message ----- From: Elizabeth Hunter To: john Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 1:20 PM Subject: RE: Future of Rose House Museum It is true that the closure of 2 museums in 2006 has been suggested by our CAO as an option the council should examine in light of the increased descrepancy between the services the Province has legislated that we must supply and the funds that they are providing to fund them. It is just one suggestion on a list of about 20 suggestions. Council has responded by scheduling a special meeting to review these suggestions to decide which ones they might consider. In the interim they are soliciting other cost saving suggestions from staff and the public. I do not think that the museums are under a serious threat. Most of the councillors that I have spoken to indicate either that they support the museums or that the amount that could be saved by closing two museums is so insignifcant that it would not be worth while. Of the list of suggestions the one to close the museums is the one that has generated the most public response (in protest).. Although there will always be portion of the population ( and some councillors) who do not value what museums do, I do not think that many councillor facing reelection will wish to close public facilities in an election year. That being said, we do not wish to be complacent. If you would like to express your support for the museums (and Rose House in particular) please feel free to email our Mayor. (I have been recommending that citizens contact their local councillor, but as a non resident of the county I think Mayor Finnegan would be most appropriate. lfinnegan@pecounty.on.ca I would just like to emphasize that it is not true that Rose House has been identified for closure. The recommendation was to "rationalize our museums to no more that 3 sites which fairly represent the most prominent themes from the County's history". When I am faced with a citizen who says "we do not need 5 museums" I usually ask which one would you close down? They usually have difficulty picking one to do without. This year the council approved a significant increase in the budgets of the museums including capital projects at each of the museums. At Rose House we will be constructing a pole barn to house some of our larger agricultural equipment. When I have asked direction as to whether I should delay these projects, in light of the consideration of museum closures, I have been told to proceed. I really do not think I would be told to expand if they were serious about shutting us down. Your concern and support is much appreciated. Elizabeth Hunter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: john [mailto:jmerz@cogeco.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 12:18 PM To: Elizabeth Hunter Subject: Re: Future of Rose House Museum Dear Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter, Manager of Museums for Prince Edward County. As your Number One Rose House supporter, could I get a straight answer from you in respect to the noise I am hearing about the County deliberations to close the Museum? After all the promotional efforts we have build up, this cannot be true, is it? Please let me know by return mail, because I am leaving for Germany next Tuesday where I will be presenting another Hessian plaque to the community of Hammersbach in Hessen, home over over 30 Hessian soldiers of the American Revolution. Yours John Helmut Merz, Researcher of the Hessian soldiers of the American Revolution, Author of "The Hessians of Upper Canada" and "The Hessians of Marysburgh" Now retired in Hamilton, Ontario.