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History of Frugality

The Early Years
This photo shows the Museum as it looked in the early years. The photo was taken during ceremonies marking the opening of the link between the original Elgin Military Museum building and the Elgin Pioneer Museum as Duncombe House was then known. The facade has subsequently undergone additional changes with the removal of the balcony.  The dias stands at the location of the 1998 expansion.

Since its founding, the Museum has never carried any debt by mortgage. In 2005, we were approached by the Ontario Museum Association to participate in a review by an independent Chartered Accountant whose task was to examine a number of museums across the province, some fully funded by municipalities and government, some partially funded, and some unfunded (as we then were). In his report to the OMA, he stated that in his opinion, the Elgin Military Museum was, without doubt, the most financially efficient and effective museum of any he had studied. He particularly noted our growth without ever incurring mortgage debt.

Construction 2 crop
Planning and fundraising for the new wing began in 1996 in response to a need to make the museum more accessible. In this photo, construction workers begin framing the new addition. Strapping can be seen on the original back wall of the building.  Construction began in June of 1998 and was completed for Remembrance Day ceremonies the same year.

He also noted the Museum's independence from relying on grants and other programs. In the first 25 years of operation, the Museum received a total of only $6,000 in grants from local municipalities ($5,000 from the City of St. Thomas on our opening and a further $1,000 in 1994 for our D-Day event) with a further $5,000 being received from the now defunct Wintario program (again, at our beginning). The only regular government funding the Museum has ever received has been a small (never exceeding $10,000) grant through the Ontario Community Museum Operating Grant Program.

EMM in 2010

The museum entrance as it looks today. The 1998 expansion can be seen to the left and the Duncombe House Heritage Centre to the right.  Note the removal of the balustrade above the main entrance.

It was not until 2007, after 25 years of successful operation, that the Museum approached the City of St. Thomas and the other municipalities in Elgin County for an operating grant. That request was for the City to match the provincial operating grant (then $7,422) and the other County municipalities to match the City grant proportionately, based on population ($0.20 per citizen). With the exception of one township for one year, only the City has provided funds. We continue to raise the balance of our budget through the dedicated support of our members and the hard work of our fundraising committees.