The
Montezuma Historical Society is the recipient of one of ten innovative
education and preservation projects that will get off the ground this year
with funding support from Erie Canalway Grants. This project was made possible in part with funding from the Institute
of Museum and Library Services. The Erie Canalway National Heritage
Corridor is investing $65,530 in grants, which will be matched by an additional
$478,000 in private and public project funding raised by grant recipients. The
grants are aimed at inspiring people to learn more about New York's
legendary canals and further explore the National Heritage Corridor.
Funding was received by the Montezuma
group for organizational planning to chart a course for organizational development and
sustainability. The purpose of this project is to facilitate the continued
preservation, interpretation, and enhancement of significant canal sites and
historic properties in the Town of Montezuma. The Society has been working with
an independent museum consultant,
Sally Treanor from Buffalo. Treanor is the former Senior Director of
Administration & Operations at Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society,
and brings a variety of experience working with both large and small scale
groups.
Formed in 2006, Montezuma Historical Society has focused its
attention on the Town’s rich Erie Canal heritage and development of a Heritage
Park because of its potential for the community and visitors. It has sponsored
historic walking tours and created a “Friends of the Montezuma Heritage Park”
group to promote and develop a recreational nature park and to preserve the
park’s historic resources. Most
recently it has supported the town to create a yearly 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun
Run to invest in the park’s development. In order for the Society to sustain
and continue its investment in the community it needs to plan for future
growth.
