CATH MOLLOY: Takes over as manager of Markham Museum next month.

Cathy Molloy is an important protector of Markham’s past.

But she also hopes to shape its future.

Starting Aug. 5, Ms Molloy moves from director/curator of the Aurora Historical Society to manager of the Markham Museum, replacing acting manager Anna Rose.

Ms Molloy envisions a cultural locale more inclusive than the museum of the past.

“I would like it to tell the story of everybody in Markham and their history in Markham. Because it goes way beyond the first settlers. We are, I think, the second most diverse community in Canada and there is a huge, interesting story to tell there,” she said.

The 48-year-old Markham resident and mother of two has a University of Toronto Masters degree in archaeology and was an executive assistant to Markham politicians Joe Virgilio and George McKelvey.

Ms Molloy is also familiar with the museum, having been curator from 1997 to 2001 and acting manager from 2001 to 2003.

Q: What is the most fascinating artifact you have seen?

A: It is not actually an artifact, it is a collection. The Hillary House medical archives in Aurora. It is an amazing collection. The Hillary family practised medicine from the 1850s. The archives are a vivid story of what it was like to live in Ontario at that time and be a rural doctor. It was interesting how patients paid and how they were treated. They didn’t have drugstores so there are recipes for prescriptions. The doctors were also pharmacists. In The First World War, the Hillarys’ eldest son and the father enlisted. The son died in the field and the father came back with what is now known as post-traumatic stress syndrome. Back then, it was called shell shock and the archives vividly tell this story through correspondence, even the government paperwork going back and forth.

Q: What changes do you want to make to the Markham Museum?

A: I would think over the next two years we are talking about development of the site, not only physically but also in how exhibits are presented and what stories they are telling. I would like it to expand its programming to include more of the community, to tell the stories of any person in Markham and what their experiences have been like living here. We talk about their Markham experience, not what is going on in the country they came from, what life is like in Markham and what they brought with them — their traditions, religions, art and music.

Q: What is your favourite museum?

A: I’ve only been to the Louvre twice and it is my favourite in terms of big museums. I know I should say the Royal Ontario Museum, but I love the Louvre. In terms of small museums, Markham has an awful lot to offer, that is why I am so excited to come back. I think it is one of the best smaller museums in southern Ontario. It has terrific potential.

Q: What do you think of the fact The Da Vinci Code movie was set and filmed in the Louvre?

A: There are two ways to look at filming. There is the intrusiveness with the artifacts, but you assume the professional staff are protecting the artifacts. That museums are shown and filmed, that makes them a bit more mainstream, I guess. For years, museums were seen as these places that are untouchable. There’s filming done at the Royal Ontario Museum, there has been filming done at The Markham Museum. It is a great revenue source for museums. You just have to protect the artifacts.

Q: What can museums do to be more embraced by the public and specifically children?

A: There is this image that museums are high brow. We have worked hard to dispel that image by doing hands-on things, things not seen as traditional museum activities such as opening them up for galas and parties and rentals. I see that there are movie nights at Markham Museum, a non-traditional way of getting people in the door so they can find a little bit more about the museum. Another way is to make exhibits more interactive.

Q: Over the years working at Markham Museum and Hillary House, is there one item you most wanted to take home?

A: At the Markham Museum, there is a bird stone which is an adle-adle, which is a spear weight. It is a native tool used as a weight on spears. As you threw back a spear, it would add weight to it. They were called bird stones because they were carved in the shape of birds. The bird stone at Markham Museum is exquisite. It is carved smooth out of a gray-blue streaky stone. The streaks in the stone look like feathers on the wings of this bird. Absolutely beautiful.

Markham Museum — Go to www.markham.ca/Markham/Attractions/ Museum/ or call 905-294-4576. The museum on Hwy. 48 north of 16th Ave.