The Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library

Researchers wishing to study Manitoba or Canadian history, the development of arts and crafts within the country and specifically the province, or the history of women in the arts, will find this book a valuable source of information about the remarkable women of the Crafts Guild of Manitoba and the time in which they lived.

The History of the Crafts Guild of Manitoba is available, in limited quantity, from the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library for $15 each.

Shipping is $5 - $10 per book, depending on destination.

All proceeds from the sale of this book support the ongoing operations of The Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library.

The History of the Crafts Guild of Manitoba

by Dot From

(published Fall 2001)

Abstract

The history of the Crafts Guild of Manitoba, 1928-1997, is a compelling story about intelligent, independent, creative and energetic women who accepted a challenge, only to realize more challenges as their determination to make a difference propelled them along many different pathways. Perhaps most amazing of all is the fact that the Crafts Guild continued to attract visionary women, who sensed the changing needs of society and were able to readily adapt. Always focused on the job at hand, they were also dreamers who had the ability to make dreams come true.

The activities of the Crafts Guild reflected a diverse mandate -- marketing, teaching and preserving crafts -- which frequently tested their leadership as they blazed new trails and offered prototype models. And these same activities paralleled cultural developments within the province and indeed Canada. Much more than a Crafts Guild per se, its influence touched many people. There were the destitute farm families in the 30s, the Red Cross where Guild women contributed countless hours toward the war effort, the veterans whose innovative rehabilitation program involving the crafts served as a model throughout Canada, and the extension service of the Department of Agriculture that looked to Guild members for assistance.

The Guild's teaching assignments ranged from the YWCA, to craft lectures at the University Evening Institute and Wheel Chair Centre to the Manitoba Home for Girls. The Guild promoted ethnic and indigenous works; the first Inuit carvings were sold at the Crafts Guild of Manitoba. The Guild was renowned throughout Canada for its needlework and for many years members were called upon to display their work at all manner of national and international conventions. Similarly, they participated in national competitions where they always won the top prizes.

Conservators, managers of small museums and those providing advisory services will find useful information about disaster preparedness and response in this case study of a water main break disaster.

Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library Water Main Disaster is available from the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library for $10 each.

Shipping is usually $3 per book, depending on destination.

Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library
Water Main Disaster:
Reflections on Response and Recovery
and the Lessons Learned

by Andrea Reichert

(published Spring 2002)

Abstract

This narrative outlines the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library’s (MCML) water main disaster of June 6, 1998 and the subsequent response and recovery during the following 3½ years.

While this case study is not intended as a manual on disaster prevention and response, it is hoped that the successes and failures of the recovery project and the lessons learned will provide small heritage organizations with valuable information on the importance of preventive conservation and disaster preparedness. It is also intended to provide conservators and museum advisory services with insights into the practical preservation realities of small heritage organizations.