Much of Dayle Crouse’s work takes place behind the scenes. Her first responsibility in the heritage field is to collect and preserve the culture and heritage that surrounds her.
But reaching out to the public is equally important, says Dayle. “Without outreach to the public, the collection process becomes irrelevant,” she says. “Presenting and collecting this information is all done in conjunction with the obligatory paperwork, grant proposals, and fundraising needed to keep the museum site alive.”
In 2007, Dayle became Director/Site Manager of the Hector Exhibit Centre & Archives/McCulloch House Museum in Pictou. Prior to that, she worked at the Queens County Museum/Perkins House in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, serving alongside current director, Linda Rafuse.
At Perkins House, Linda and Dayle created and delivered highly effective school programs. “These programs sparked the interest of students who would then bring in their parents, who in turn would bring in other family members and friends to the museums, creating a very nice cycle. It made us realize that we were shaping children’s future thoughts and feelings toward heritage.”
Dayle’s most memorable heritage moments surround her work with the Diary of Simeon Perkins at the Queens County Museum. Simeon Perkins, once a prominent businessman and politician in Liverpool, left an unusual legacy, a meticulous record of almost 60 years of colonial life from the mid-1700s until the early 1800s. So thorough is the diary, says Dayle, that a person can read it and capture a clear picture of the Liverpool of two centuries ago.
Dayle says that when you have such a precious resource at your fingertips, it inspires you to not only provide an appealing story for visitors, but to create wonderful programming and exhibits – all with the goal of instilling a sense of pride and belonging for young and old.
“Seeing young children come into the site with their eyes wide open and ready to absorb what they see is a very rewarding experience,” says Dayle. Through the children, she says, we can reclaim our heritage and make a significant impact on the future.