THE BISSETT AND AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Bissett and Area Historical Society was incorporated in October, 2008.
Since incorporation the organization has held regular monthly luncheon meetings, including summer months. Attendance varies from about a dozen members to twenty or more. Visitors are always welcome.
Members of the organization arrange an annual Bissett dinner, usually held in late November or early December. Attendance at this event averages from 40 to 50 attendees, coming from all over Manitoba and often from other provinces.
Over the past several years, members have collected many artifacts as well as literally hundreds of photos of the townspeople, the events, environment, mining activities, etc., and these are being stored locally in the town office, and have been displayed at several celebratory events from time to time, including a substantial display in the summer of 2011 at the local Bissett school during the recent one hundredth anniversary of the first discovery of gold at Rice Lake.
With the recent closing of the mine, the hoped for future of any museum of the town and mine is now unclear. Other avenues of conservation are being investigated.
The Society keeps track of those whose lives were spent at some time in Bissett, forwarding birthday greetings to the over-90s and sympathy cards to the families of Bissetters who pass away.
All members receive the annual Bissett Nuggets newsletter usually in October. In addition, minutes of the monthly meetings are e-mailed out to members who have provided us with an e-mail address.
Membership in the Society averages well over 125 annually, and the business of the organization is conducted by a board of directors.
Board members are:
Monty Vialoux – President
Jo’Anne Kelly – Vice-President
Joan Bjornsson – Treasurer
Eleanor Stardom – Secretary
Josette Lukowycz – Membership
Bob Shindruk – Museum Liaison