**** COMMUNITIES/CULTURE/HERITAGE Release
Government Invests in Museum Infrastructure
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Museums play an important role in preserving Nova Scotia’s unique history and culture and attracting visitors to the province. That is why government is investing more than $7 million to complete shovel-ready repairs and updates at 11 Nova Scotia Museum sites across the province.
“Our museums bring our rich and diverse culture and heritage to life and preserve Nova Scotia’s history and our stories,” said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “This investment will help repair and restore aging infrastructure so our museums can welcome more visitors for years to come.”
Among the projects is a $1.5-million renovation project at Highland Village in Iona, Cape Breton – its first upgrade in almost 20 years. A new welcome centre, new washrooms, updated landscaping and interpretive signs will improve the visitor experience.
This investment is part of the $230-million stimulus package announced in May.
Quotes:
“The number of visitors to our site continues to grow each year, driven in large part by the increase in cruise ship traffic to Sydney. These site upgrades will improve the experience for visitors to Highland Village while helping to preserve and share our unique Gaelic history and heritage with people from within and outside our province.”
– Rodney Chiasson, director, Baile nan Gàidheal (Highland Village)
Quick Facts:
— there are 28 Nova Scotia Museum sites across the province – 11 operated by government and 17 operated by local boards
In addition to Highland Village, the following sites are receiving funding:
— Barrington Woolen Mill, Barrington, Shelburne Co.: $150,000 for repairs and paint
— Fisherman’s Life, Jeddore Oyster Pond, Halifax Regional Municipality: $50,000 for design of new washroom facilities
— Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Lunenburg: $500,000 for repairs to the building and the schooner Theresa E Connor
— Village Historique Acadien, Lower West Pubnico, Yarmouth Co.: $150,000 for repairs and painting
— Museum of Industry, Stellarton: $400,000 for roof replacement
— North Hills Museum, Granville Ferry, Annapolis Co.: $150,000 for repairs and roof replacement
— Perkins House, Liverpool: $2.8 million for extensive restoration and repair work
— Ross Farm, New Ross: $300,000 to move the workshop to the ground floor and replace the roofs of several buildings
— Sherbrooke Village, Sherbrooke: $1 million to repair or replace aging infrastructure and install energy-efficient heat pumps
— Uniacke Estate, Mount Uniacke: $150,000 for repairs, exterior paint and electrical upgrades
Additional Resources:
Government announced a $230-million stimulus investment on May 27: http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200527005
Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan, Creativity and Community: http://novascotia.ca/culture/Culture-Action-Plan–English.pdf
