First, some really good news!
On Tuesday (November 23) Linda and Susan met with Michael Rikely-Lancaster, the curator of the Almonte Textile Museum. Many of you will know that he was instrumental in making the Museum into a major social and economic force in Almonte.
It turns out that the Museum’s mandate includes supporting ALL of the old mills that were once so important in this area — so Michael can give us procedural advice, referrals to contractors, and financial/funding suggestions and support. Plus, it just feels good to have an experienced ally!
And — the Museum is having research done on the history and chronology of all the mills in this area. That will be a big help: we’ll need that kind of information in preparing funding applications, as well as in getting essential publicity – and so far there are gaps in what we know about the history, ownership and purposing of the Lanark mill building.
We are of course still working to get an option on the property — with a lawyer and other – and will give everyone an update on that as soon as there’s any definite word.
