Orillia LIGHTFOOT Museum - article-Nov.2024

[charlene]

TORONTO — Gordon Lightfoot’s folk music legacy could still be honoured with a museum in his Ontario hometown.
Pam Carter, president of the Mariposa Folk Festival, said local officials in Orillia, Ont., haven’t given up hope that artifacts from the late singer-songwriter’s life may wind up at a dedicated space in the city.
But she said it’s too early to say when those plans might take shape.
"It's still very much alive, and we continue to communicate with the executors (of his will)," she said in a phone interview.
Carter is part of a working group formed by Orillia city council after Lightfoot died early last year at the age of 84.
The group was to consult with Lightfoot’s estate about memorabilia that might be available for display. They were also asked to consider the feasibility of a standalone museum versus an exhibit within the established Orillia Museum of Art & History.
An extension to the mandate was approved last fall when it became clear they would need more time to seek answers.
Carter said it remains unclear what – if any – items may land in the hands of the city, which has made it difficult to consider suitable locations, apply for grants or seek other financial assistance.
Carter described the group as operating on a "rolling deadline" for future reports, while Orillia mayor Don McIsaac did not return requests for comment.
Lightfoot's estate recently put dozens of his personal belongings up for auction in the United States, including a selection of his guitars that include the one featured on the "Sundown" album cover, sparking concern from some fans.
The auction is currently being held online and closes with an in-person ceremony on Nov. 17, the late musician's birthday.
"He's a Canadian icon, and it truly would be a shame to see things just distributed (with) no lasting legacy," Carter said.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if people bid on these items and then, in turn, donated or loaned them back to ... an Orillia museum or a Hall of Fame?"
Some pieces of Lightfoot's history are already on display at Canadian cultural institutions, but not many.
Before his death, Lightfoot donated his first guitar, purchased when he was 12 years old, to Massey Hall, the Toronto concert venue he often called his second home.
The instrument is now in a glass case next to the 1969 copyright registration papers for his classic song "If You Could Read My Mind" and a handwritten setlist for his 2018 Canada Day concert.
Jesse Moffatt, who oversees collections and exhibitions at the National Music Centre in Calgary, said valuable Canadian cultural items are going on the block at prominent auction houses south of the border more often.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that items belonging to Gordon, or any other legacy artists, won't make their way back," he said.
"But it takes a village — and in this case, kind of a nation — to rally behind these types of collections or individual pieces to stay in Canada."
Moffatt said the National Music Centre's role is to preserve historic items as well as present the stories around each one.
Many of the pieces come into their possession through donations. Since they are a non-profit charitable organization, they issue tax receipts based on the fair market value of the objects, he said.
"You want people to actively participate — either you're a voice or if you have the means you're actively acquiring stuff, and donating them back to a cultural collecting institution," he said.
"I encourage people to get involved."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2024.
David Friend, The Canadian Press

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ORILLIA MATTERS:
https://www.orilliamatters.com/local...t=mc_ori_local

U.S. donor helps OMAH acquire $300,000 worth of Lightfoot artifacts
'It makes sense for Orillia's community museum to house this collection,' says OMAH executive director of Lightfoot exhibit to be displayed this summer
An anonymous donor from south of the border is helping ensure the sun doesn't go down on Gordon Lightfoot's legacy in his hometown.

At a recent auction, the donor helped the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) acquire dozens of treasures from Lightfoot's illustrious music career.

Ninette Gyorody, the museum's executive director, says she is "thrilled" the museum was able to obtain significant items from the Gordon Lightfoot Estate Auction, which was held on Nov. 17 through Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas, Texas.

She said OMAH acquired 50 items, including guitars, clothing, awards, and items related to Orillia and Massey Hall in Toronto.
"There's been a lot of talk since he passed away about how we should honour him in his hometown," Gyorody said. "We've talked about how we could do it here."

Those talks were buoyed when the anonymous donor, who wanted items from the renowned singer's life to be on display for his hometown fans, approached the museum to lend a hand.

"They wanted them to be accessible to everyone as opposed to collectors," she said. "It makes sense for Orillia's community museum to house this collection."

The generous donor from the United States spent over $300,000 on the items that will soon be displayed at the downtown museum.

"We are dedicated to having an exhibition with objects that we will rotate," Gyorody said. "We made sure that we had enough where we could refresh the exhibition a couple of times a year."

Gyorody says the exhibition celebrating the music icon will open at OMAH in June 2025. She believes it will draw more tourism to Orillia.

In a media release, officials noted the legendary Orillia-born singer's influence has "resonated across decades, inspiring audiences worldwide" with hits such as If You Could Read My Mind and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. As a proud Orillia native, his impact on the community is immeasurable.
The artifacts will help bring his story to life, offering visitors an "intimate connection" to the man behind the music.

"This is a milestone moment for our museum and our city," said Gyorody. "Gordon Lightfoot meant so much to so many people. This will bolster our city next year."

Mayor Don McIsaac says the acquisition of Lightfoot memorabilia is "fantastic" news for Orillia.
"Orillia loved Gordon and he loved us back," he said. "This is his hometown. We have a lot of stuff dedicated to him and we want to continue that."

McIsaac says the municipality and OMAH have been working "tirelessly" to ensure Lightfoot's legacy is cemented in Orillia. He hopes at some point there will be a Lightfoot museum in Orillia.

"We are working on that," he said. "We have a committee ... to look at the establishment of a museum in Orillia and that's still active."

OMAH is hoping to acquire even more Lightfoot items in the future. To do so, they need support from community members, organizations, and businesses.
"We are now watching the next auction, which is in early December," Gyorody said. "We are making a new wish list."

Donations or sponsorships of any size are welcomed to help OMAH secure more items for the Lightfoot exhibit, she said.

Contributions can be made through OMAH’s website. Or, you can contact the museum directly through OMAH’s development officer, Vanessa Santala at 705-326-2159, extension 105.