School Museum - funds sought
10 May 2009
"....the quality and volume of the educational artifacts, documents, manuscripts and furniture within the Hall School Museum has lead us to believe that this school museum is among the most comprehensive of school museums in the country".
This is the view of the Australian National Museum of Education (ANME), which has given strong support to the Progress Association's application for funds form the ACT Heritage Grants program. The Association is seeking a grant of nearly $9,000 to enable us to commission a Conservation Management Plan and prepare a set of resource materials for the training of volunteer guides.
The original school building, now home to the Museum - also known as the 'Laurie Copping Heritage centre' - was opened in 1911, and operated as a one-teacher school until 1960. Former principal Laurie Copping was the champion behind the museum.
Whether or not the grant application is successful, the Association intends to establish a group of 'Friends of the Hall School Museum' to help support and develop this important heritage resource.
As the ANME says in their letter of support: "Given the great historical significance of such a collection,reflecting changes and developments in the history of schooling in the ACT over the last century, it is vitally important that this collection be adequately accommodated and conserved within its original building, as part of the historic village of Hall".
If you are interested in the future of the Hall School Museum and would like to become involved, please let us know!