Summerland Men's Shed donates converted cabinet to museum for insect display

The Summerland Men's Shed purchased and converted a map cabinet for the Summerland Museum & Archives Society to display the Herbert Simpson Insect Collection; the cabinet was delivered Jan. 15 and museum staff will soon install the fragile specimens for public viewing.

The Summerland Men's Shed donated and converted a map cabinet for the Summerland Museum & Archives Society to display the Herbert Simpson Insect Collection. The cabinet arrived on Thursday, Jan. 15, and museum staff plan to carefully install the fragile specimens for public viewing. Much of the collection has not been exhibited in decades, and the donation came after the museum sought funds for a display case. The Men's Shed movement began in Australia in the 1990s and offers a place for men to gather, share skills and build friendships. Key details: - The photo accompanying the report shows Vic, David, Curator Petra, Steve, and John proudly presenting the new "bug boxes". - The Men's Shed purchased a map cabinet and converted it specifically to house insect specimens for display. - The new cabinet was delivered on Jan. 15 and preparations to install the collection will begin soon. - The Herbert Simpson Insect Collection includes specimens that have not been on public display for many years. - The local Men's Shed meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 9710 Brown Street; there are no membership fees, though a $30 membership to the Summerland Community Centre Association is encouraged. Summary: The cabinet donation enables the museum to prepare long-unseen insect specimens for exhibition and restores a portion of the Herbert Simpson Collection to public view. The contribution also reflects the Men's Shed's community role as a volunteer space for skills-sharing and social connection, and museum staff will begin the careful installation process in the near term.