The Heritage Centre with its museum, library, gift shop and associated café, opened in March 2007. It has proved a major asset to both the people of Lismore and to visitors to the island. Run entirely by volunteers, the Heritage Centre is a success.
The museum has become a very popular venue. The curators have not only set up an interesting, informative and popular long term display but are constantly developing new short term exhibits to further inform Liosachs and visitors alike.
However a problem developed. The curators were gathering artifacts, photographs and documents from the people of the island and storage became a major concern. The curators Archive Room was also being used as the administration office and the managers and treasurer were also accumulating space consuming files and other paraphernalia. Some of the facilities were shared but it was obvious that a separate Office was required.
But where to put it and where was the money to come from?
The creation of the office would not have been possible without the help of others. We are particularly grateful to Argyll & the Isles LEADER and Industries Yeoman Glensanda for their financial support
In late 2009 the building of the office began. Sited under the eaves of the Heritage Centre, to the left of the entrance door, the construction was completed in March 2010. The Office was built along the eco-friendly lines of the building it complements and the new larch panel cladding is already fading towards the colour of the exterior of the Heritage Centre.
A number of visitors have observed: “It looks as if it has always been there.”
Administration and accounting work are now carried out in a pleasant and uncluttered environment. And the office facilities are available to anyone on the island who wishes to take advantage of the publishing and printing equipment housed therein. A number of the volunteers who manage the Heritage Centre have suggested booklets we should add to our products for sale in the shop – and these we will publish in due course.
The office is also home to our island genealogist who has collated the research done by others and added considerably to their records. Anyone on a quest for family history can now be helped in the comfort of the office.
And what of the curators? They too are pleased to have their own space to work in and room to store their ever increasing archive of objects, documents, photographs and other interesting material. Are they happy? Well they are beginning to run short of space. “We’ll soon need a larger Archive Room.” They tell me. “Not this year.” I tell them!
May 2009
New book published "Lismore: The Great Garden" by Robert Hay - more details
Exhibition of Lismore Faces with some associated Genealogy - 
