Province Supports Heritage Organizations in Northern Nova Scotia
TOURISM/CULTURE--Province Supports Heritage Organizations in Northern Nova Scotia
History enthusiasts will benefit from investments designed to build on community economic development efforts in the province. Four groups in the northern region have received support from the Department of Tourism and Culture.
Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, joined heritage community representatives to make the announcement at the Colchester Historical Society Museum in Truro today.
A total of $93,545 in support was distributed to museums and heritage groups throughout the province from the department's Strategic Development Initiative Fund. Four recipients in the northern region received support, along with three in the southern region, three in Cape Breton, one in Halifax and several projects that are provincial in scope.
The organizations receiving the funding will also contribute to the projects, for a total estimated economic investment of close to $180,000.
"We're pleased to invest in projects that are helping to preserve our rich heritage and draw visitors to our community museums," said Mr. MacDonald. "These projects are also contributing to the viability of rural Nova Scotian communities.
In northern Nova Scotia, $8,897 is helping the Colchester Historical Society Museum develop a strategic plan in partnership with the Colchester Regional Development Association. The plan will concentrate on increasing public awareness of the value of heritage in the community.
"This support will help us build for the future," said Penny Lighthall, curator of the Colchester Historical Society Museum. "This plan will be important to our survival as a heritage institution in these competitive times."
The Cumberland County Museum in Amherst received $2,790 in support for public meetings that will clarify its current services, collections, mandates and future role. The museum will also meet with other heritage organizations. It will use the information for long-term initiatives, improving partnerships and increasing awareness about the site and its purpose.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to implement this program and it would not have come about without the funding and support," said curator Barb Thompson.
The North West Heritage Network received $3,375 to create a promotional museum passport for visitors. The passport project will involve at least 20 museums from Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland, Guysborough and Pictou counties.
"We are enthusiastically looking forward to this tourism season and preparing for the increased number of visitors that our project will generate," said Penny Lighthall, spokesperson for the group.
In addition, the Amos Seaman Museum received $6,000 to help develop a strategic plan with key heritage partners in the Minudie region. The plan will concentrate on long-term development and growth and on improving co-ordination and communication.
"We are amazed to have so many people from such a small area involved in this project supported through the Strategic Development Initiative that will help guide our future in heritage," said Sharon Gould, spokesperson for the Minudie Heritage Association.
Located on the Glooscap Trail, the museum features a collection of photos and documents commemorating the life and achievements of Amos King Seaman, an 18th-century merchant and industrialist of Minudie. The collection is housed in an original Acadian one- room schoolhouse and is recognized as a provincial heritage property.
The Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage received $15,150 to undertake eight regional leadership workshops that will establish community links across the province. The workshops will also equip potential board members with tools, resources and connections to promote museums and identify actions for improved performance.
"We will be offering regional workshops focusing on creating committed, sustainable heritage boards," said Susan Charles, the federation's executive director. The federation is also receiving $7,250 for another series of workshops to help heritage organizations build on proposal writing skills and to develop a strategic plan.
The department's Strategic Development Initiative Fund, first announced in the spring of 2000, encourages community museums to partner with other organizations -- such as private sector not- for-profit groups and municipal governments -- to build relationships for sustainable economic development in rural Nova Scotia. Twenty-five museums will directly benefit from this announcement, while other projects will have an impact on the broader heritage community.