As she prepares for retirement after more than 30 years of service, the Welland Museum extends a profound thanks to long-time team member Penny Morningstar.

Penny’s retirement marks the final leg of a career at the museum that began in 1989. In her current position as General Manager and Curator, she was the driving force behind the creation and installation of incredible exhibits and programming, as well as the daily operation of the museum.

“I truly believe museums play an important role in our way of life,” Morningstar says. “They are places to explore, to share our stories and to reconnect with each other. They’re places where we can all be given a voice.”

“Perhaps most importantly, they’re a place where we have the opportunity to listen,” she says.

Among a wide range of accomplishments, Morningstar was instrumental in building an ongoing dialogue with the Métis community in Niagara. This work resulted in the creation of a Métis permanent exhibit, which was developed and created by the Niagara Region Métis Council.

Morningstar has been recognized with a certificate of achievement from Dale Carnegie and has received numerous community involvement awards. These include recognition from the City of Welland, the Heritage Welland 1812 Bicentennial Committee, the Canada 150 committee and an acknowledgment from CERF Niagara for the museum’s partnership with Welland’s Francophone community.

“The work Penny has done for more than 30 years has been incredible,” says Greg D’Amico, Chair of the Welland Museum’s Board of Directors. “Her influence has made it possible to recognize and honour parts of Welland’s history that might otherwise have been forgotten.”

“Welland is a historic community, and Penny has worked amazingly hard over the years to bring that history to light. We hope to carry on her legacy by continuing to preserve that history and bring it forward to new generations,” D’Amico says.

The Board of Management is presently accepting applications for a new Operations Manager for the museum, carrying on Penny’s achievements for the future.