WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
When Marie was 12, she promised her father Léandre Robichaud - a retired Barnum & Bailey trapeze artist, sculptor and painter - she would erect a museum to showcase his art. After many years of searching for the perfect location, Cornwall and South Stormont were geographically the winners, since in South Stormont people are permitted to have fireworks, as long as they adhere the policy on fireworks usage.
After trying to purchase land in the area three times, finally in 2004, Marie acquired 14 acres of land across Guindon Park on Highway # 2 with the possibility for expansion. Two thirds of the land is in South Stormont and the third portion in the City of Cornwall - where the parking lot will be located (see plan below).
In 2004, Marie made a presentation to the South Stormont and Cornwall Council's members promising to hire people who could hardly speak English, the developmentally challenged, the retired people still needing some income but are not given the opportunity in the current employment structure, and those wanting to get off the welfare system. She also promised to hire people of the area first, as long as they had the required qualifications.
In May 2006, after retiring from the government, Marie moved to Cornwall to realize her dream and fulfill her promise. Rudy and Marie own over 128 collections amounting to over 30,000 items - both have been collecting since they were teens. The museum will be dedicated to Marie’s father, Rudy's passion for trains, the First Nations People and the people of every nation who immigrated to Akwesasne, Cornwall and SD&G. That is each one of us through our ancestors.
Marie's friend Patricia Sylvia asked Marie to mention her own ancestral origins, so people understand why this endeavour is so important to her. On her paternal side, Marie's great grand mother was Roma Gypsy from Romania, her grand mother a Tobique First Nation from New Brunswick, her grandfather and father Acadians from New Brunswick. On her maternal side French and Spanish. He partner Rudy's family is from the Netherlands. Marie is proud of her own origins and invites everyone else to feel proud of theirs. This is also what the Annual People's Cultural and Kite Festival is all about. Our People's Festival where every single person celebrates his or her own accomplishments not matter the size and their ancestral origins.
The museum mission statement: Sharing the passion for collecting, for multicultural traditions and artistic culture, through flourishing friendships and respect for everyone no matter who they are or where they are from.
While going through numerous bureaucratic delays, Marie created Parade of nations, which after two years became a charity (at the population's request) for the developmentally challenged of our area, using art and leisure as therapy - an idea from someone who would like to remain anonymous). The request to obtain a charity registration number to issue income tax receipts is presently being process through the Canada Revenue Agency, with the help of a lawyer. This is Rudy and Marie's way to give back to the community, like so many of you have done already.
The museum (village type below), which Marie prefers to call "Our Museum" - abbreviated (O M) that sounds like HOME, a suggestion of Doreen South of Angel Whispers - will consist of the following:
-the Léandre Robichaud Building;
-Rudy Tabak's Seaway Lighthouse Third Rail Modular Club and his complete collection of O Gauge trains, die cast and much more;
-an administration building;
-a warehouse;
-an international gift shop;
-a Department 56 miniature villages building housing Marie's largest collection;
-a Multicultural building representing the 350 nations and groups composing the genetic make up of Akwesasne, Cornwall and SD&G, where our own people can introduce their ancestral country of origin;
-an International market where only people from Akwesasne, Cornwall and SD&G can sell their products;
-a round Bandshell where new performers of all kinds from the same area mentioned above can perform, free or charge, and pass the hat to make money;
-a large piazza to celebrate all the cultural holidays of our people genetic make up;
an international garden, featuring landmarks of the world;
-a convention centre - the sky is the limit;
-a general store, where Marie displaying the remaining of her collections;
-an Art Centre composed of three sections: a theatre to act myths and legends of the world, an International Music Centre also featuring multicultural fashion shows - an area to teach dying arts front all around the world;
-an international Tea and Coffee Parlour; and
-a picnic area for families to gather.
When Marie passes away, her private collections will be given to Parade of Nations for the developmentally challenged. Marie wants the people of the areas to have a home for their personal collector's passions and a place to celebrate all of our ancestral origins, using our very own artistic cultures as a venue.
While talking about her project to people, these same people wanted to be part of her dream. Marie accepted their invitation and consequently part of her land will be reserved for private individuals to display their own collections in a small building - erected by the museum - instead of seeing them sold in garage sales. These collections will be kept at the museum but will always belong to the original family commemorating the passion of one of their loved ones. These collectibles, as long as the owner requests it, will never be sold to the public but will remain safe at the museum. As a result, many people from the area already have made donations to teh museum. A biography of the donor, his or her picture, a description of the item and the history of how it was acquired must be part of the donation.
Through Parade of Nations, Marie has already researched over 500 artists, artisans, writers and performers of all kinds from our area who are promoted permanently, free of charge. Marie still has a lot of inputting and translation to do. You can find the information at www.pardeofnations.com under local info (left side bottom of the home page).
Growing up Marie was an only child and created her own family. Where ever she lived, the people became her adopted family. While being in the Air Force, Marie visited many countries; up to now she has visited 23. Every day, she meets new people, who she adopts has her own family and she never fails to tell them she loves them. After six years in Cornwall, people every where, including the Early Bird Gang, at Tim Hortons Brookdale, are now telling her, they love her too.
For additional info about the Collector's Museum e-mail: collectors @cogeco.ca
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