Halton Region, a government covering a large suburban region just west of Toronto, has announced it is shutting down its heritage activities forthwith and may be selling off its 35,000 item records-and-artifacts collection. The collection is "currently held in an archive and former museum located in Milton, Ont." As recently as 2021, the Region committed $8 million toward a new museum facility for the region. (But in 2024 the region was put under the control of Doug Ford's Ontario government, which is increasingly bigfooting local governments, usually to cut budgets.)
The Toronto Star story linked to above notes historians, museologists and their agencies rallying against this decision, which they note was taken without public consultation. Notably, public historian Jamie Bradburn had an op-ed in yesterday's Star arguing the value and importance of local museums, archives, and heritage agencies.
In an era rife with misinformation, in which governments increasingly attempt to control their jurisdictions’ historical narratives, public archives have become more important than ever. As repositories of the past, they serve to collect our stories of progress and recount the mistakes we’ve made along the way. They provide vital information to help us make better decisions about the future. They create a sense of community, identity and continuity.
It’s a shame Halton Regional Council doesn’t share this point of view.
Meanwhile, across the border, "The White House has ordered a sweeping review of the Smithsonian's exhibitions and materials as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to promote a rosier presentation of the nation's past." -- and to ensure that next year's commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence conform to Trumpian visions of the past.
