The Kamouraska Regional Museum mainly survives thanks to the entries and its shop

The duty has identified more than twenty museum institutions widely left to themselves to transmit history and preserve part of the heritage of Quebec, not benefiting from government subsidies to the functioning. It is especially by the dedication of their volunteer leaders that they succeed in continuing their mission in their corner of the country. Travel to Bas-Saint-Laurent for our fourth portrait of these cultural ambassadors in need of recognition.

The Kamouraska Regional Museum is difficult to ignore when we are in this renowned tourist village. It is located in the heart of its historic center, in the old convent built in 1851. Its costumed guides walked in the streets to show the village, in addition to welcoming visitors to the rooms of the heritage building, arranged in life scenes from the 1800s to 1940.

“Kamouraska is considered to be the cradle of the resort [au Québec]. From the early 1800s, we had the first beach frequented by the bourgeoisie. Our first exhibition hall is on this, ”says Anik Corminboeuf, the director general of the museum, who was also recently mayor of the municipality.

Former teacher in history, she believes that it is good to know the importance of the river, featured at the museum, for the development of our province. “In the things that my visitors are always surprised to learn, there is the fire of Côte-du-Sud, caused by the British during the conquest, in 1759. It begins up to Kamouraska,” she continues. It is also proud to emphasize that its museum houses furniture that belonged to the deputy René Chaloult, who played a major role in the adoption of the flowered flag.

When Anik Corminboeuf volunteered the role of acting managing director voluntarily, ten years ago, the Kamouraska Regional Museum was in turmoil. He had just lost his operating budget awarded by Quebec, she explains. It was in the wake of the publication of the Corbo report, recommending in particular changes in the way in which the Ministry of Culture and Communications guides its museum funding. The Board of Directors feared having to close the institution.

“In our region, there were a lot of stir. The observation was that several small museums had undergone financing cuts, ”she recalls.

Since then, the museum has tried without success to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec, a prerequisite to receive aid to functioning for museum institutions. M^me Corminboeuf judges that the process is very heavy for a small team. She was also surprised to be told that her status as a volunteer director played against them.

Like a small business

Today, the director general is still in office and her museum is in good financial health, she believes. He lives almost exclusively from his entries, which are assessed at more or less 6000 per summer, and sales of his shop. These income makes it possible to pay the fixed costs and the salary of an assistant director approximately six months per year, or during the opening period. Federal job programs also subsidize three seasonal guides.

“We are privileged, because we are located in a tourist village,” she admits. The director also believes that the quality and diversity of her offer make a difference for the reputation and traffic of the institution.

Under the leader of M^me Corminboeuf, the museum acquired the Moulin Paradis, another heritage site built around 1856. This is an additional attraction included in the guided tour of the village, which costs $ 15.

The contribution of volunteers has been essential since the museum foundation in 1977, the collections of which were made from donations from residents of the region.

“The reason why we are able to offer geological outings and interpretation hikes at a reasonable price is that members of our board of directors guide them voluntarily,” said Mr.^me Corminboeuf. The museum also benefits from the free work of an accountant and speakers.

The most beautiful pay

The director is proud to have carried out the establishment in her current state. “The most beautiful pay is the satisfaction of visitors, positive comments when they leave the museum. I wouldn’t want to be elsewhere than in this chair, ”she says with a large smile.

There are still a few shadows on the board. M^me Corminboeuf is concerned about the meteoric increase in insurance prices for heritage buildings. It also regrets the lack of recognition of the provincial government in the face of the success of its museum.

“It is sure that if I had a little help, it might allow me to modernize exhibitions. The Moulin Paradis would also benefit from more investment, “she says, believing that the museum” does not exist for the Quebec government “.

In short, the establishment proves that it can live without helping operation, but the organization would like to receive it. “Museums are not estimated at their fair value, it is my feeling,” deplores the director general.

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