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Correspondence on the opening of the Museum, 1938-1939, letter to Mrs Kuhring, February 12th, 1939 (end of the letter)

Handwritten letter from Maude Abbott to Mrs. Kuhring, February 12, 1939, black and purple ink on sepia paper. She tells of plans to ask the Governor General to officially open The Barracks (housing the museum) and asks Mrs. Kuhring about the progress of the artifact boxes and shelving for the museum.

Maude Abbott and Mrs. Kuhring of the Historical Society of Argenteuil County managed the day-to-day affairs of the Carillon Museum. In her letters, Maude Abbott adopted a friendly and personal tone, as in this case, when discussing the best strategy to convince Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir to attend the opening of the Museum’s first season. At the end of the letter, it is understood that Maude has not quite recovered from a fall in which she fractured a rib.

Transcription:

900 Sherbrooke street

Feb. 12/39

My dear Mrs Kuhring,

Just a line to ask you about several matters and to tell you that we are getting ready to ask the Governor General & Lady Tweedsmuir to open The Barracks officially in June. It was decided to do this at the Executive meeting at Lachute and although there will of course have to be an official letter signed by Dr. Cushing & you & me & miss Anderson they suggested i should try to start the hall willing. I meet Lady Tweedsmuir on Friday afternoon at the Royal Victoria College. Although I did not feel I could not do anything myself on that occasion, I asked Lady Drummond to break the ice about it at a dinner party they were having that evening which she very kindly did; and the excellency was very sweet about it and said she thought probably they could as they would be in Quebec about that time.

I am meeting her again tomorrow Monday at night at the opening of the new wing of the Art Gallery and if I have an opportunity I will ask her if I may write her about it unofficially, so that they may know some things of the historical back ground of our request. We will have to draw up the official letter within the next week or few days. If you have any suggestions about drafting it will you let me know? I know his Excellency told you at St. Andrews that he would open the Museum when we had one … did he not? I will have go to you for signature & your name will have more weight.

How are the Museum cases coming on? I have just been talking with Stanley Simpson and he asks what kind of wood they will be made of, that it will be oiled and waxed – not painted. He says it will look infinitely better & that all new cases at the Art Gallery are made that way.

Also what progress have you made about the two tablets? It is very important to get our vouchers in early. We are sending in the one for the blinds for all but three windows of upper & lower floors (35) the end of this week. I am getting two umbrellas tables for the balcony from the Veterans and a double electric plate attached in scenery from the Gen. Electric Co. through Miss Robertson immediately. As soon as possible we will take up the matter of a reserve for the grounds with Mr. Nobles & the Government. I fear means going to Ottawa & I am not quite ready to do that yet.

Best regards & looking forward to be hearing from you.

Sincerely yours, Maude E. Abbott