Fonds 0171 - The Eaglesham Cultural Society fonds

In November of 1977, the decision was made to form the Eaglesham Cultural Society after the former United Church building was donated to the community for cultural purposes. The building was moved from its original site by the village and used as an office for a time. When the society took over the building there was $7000 owing on it. The Seniors organization donated half a lot for the building and the Society had to purchase the other half lot for $2000. The society wanted to see a more public use made of the building so they set out surveying the community for usage ideas, selling memberships, and setting out a five year plan for obtaining grants. Negotiating with the village for the purchase of the building, they asked the Agriculture Society for their financial assistance. The plan was to use the facility for displays, meetings, cultural events and arts and crafts classes. In the first few years moneys from raffles kept the organization afloat. In 1980 a homecoming was planned along with the publication of a picture booklet, "Heritage in Pictures". In the 1980s a Drama Club became a committee of the Society, using the building as their theatre. Renovations on the building proceeded as the ownership issues were resolved and grant money ($21,862) became available. The building was now being used by Playtime, the Public Health nurse, Brownies, Drama, Church, and Square Dancers. In 1988 the Society entered into an agreement with the Agricultural Society for joint use and support of the Cultural Center. In the 1990s art shows and drama presentations still were using the building but grant money was drying up and other interest groups were taking support away from the Center. Preparations to close the building and notices offering it for sale were published in 1995. Olaf Gundersen's offer of $100 for the land and building was accepted. In 1999 the society was officially dissolved.