Meet the new North Bay Museum Coordinator
The North Bay Museum is happy to welcome our new coordinator, Mark Azzano. Please enjoy this mini interview with him about museum work, the future of the North Bay Museum, and first impressions of town.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in history.
I grew up in St. Marys, Ontario, about thirty kilometres north of London. I have an MA in History from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, NS, as well as an Honours BA in History from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. My academic research focused on Canadian history, 20th-century military history, and war commemoration. Professionally, I have had the opportunity to work in various roles at the St. Mary's Museum, Lucan Area Heritage & Donnelly Museum, and the Cape Breton Miners Museum, to name a few.
What are you most looking forward to in your time as coordinator?
I'm looking forward to working with our various partners and stakeholders throughout the community. Institutions such as the library, schools, and tourism offices are important partnerships to have in the community that can benefit the Museum and North Bay as a whole. Moreover, I want to maintain our positive relationship with the other arms of Heritage North Bay. We have a common goal and when one of us benefits, we all do.
Can you share some long-term plans or ideas you have for the North Bay Museum?
I plan to improve sales of model trains in the Gift Shop, as they are a significant driver of traffic to the Museum. Additionally, I want to bring in products that are aligned more with North Bay and Northern Ontario, such as branded clothing, keychains, and local history books. Community museums should be as focussed on their community as possible.
Give us your honest first impression of North Bay.
I first came to North Bay when I was very young, so I imagine my first impression was one of confusion. There are old photos of me riding the Heritage Train and Carousel, and I appear to be enjoying the experience.
Do you have a favourite artifact or exhibit at the Museum
My favourite artifact at the Museum right now is the model of the HMCS North Bay. It takes an incredible amount of patience and skill to complete such a project, and I always notice a new level of detail the longer I look at it.
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