Enriching the Memory Lane Heritage Village experience

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society to upgrade living history museum, improve online presence

June 30, 2021 · Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Atlantic Canadian tourism operators are working hard to recover from pandemic challenges and find new approaches to deliver world-class tourism experiences. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to help Memory Lane Heritage Village in Lake Charlotte enhance visitor services and upgrade its website.  

Award-winning community museum will offer safer environment, improved facilities

Today, Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, announced a non-repayable contribution of $28,000 to the non-profit Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society, which owns and operates the museum that depicts life in rural Nova Scotia in the 1940s.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This contribution will help the Society upgrade outdoor spaces at the museum, overhaul the outdoor play area to include more natural elements, and create an online shop and ticketing system, among other web improvements. This project will generate work for local subcontractors and lead to extended work terms for seasonal staff.

Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping rural regions strengthen their communities, attract more visitors and grow, building a more resilient, inclusive economy.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada knows that strategic support for the tourism sector leads to sustained success for the regional economy. Investments like this one help ensure tourism businesses in our rural communities are ready to welcome businesses back as soon as it is safe to do so.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Visits to Memory Lane Heritage Village almost doubled in the last five years before the pandemic, creating spin-off benefits for local tourism operators. The museum hopes enhancing its facilities and website will help resume that level of interest as people are able to travel again.”
-  Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova

“The Memory Lane Heritage Village tells the story of what life was like for many rural Nova Scotians in the 1940s. Visiting the museum truly feels like taking a step into the past, and provides a unique way for all to experience our province’s heritage. We are proud to invest in community organizations like the Lake Charlotte Heritage Society that keep the spirit of Nova Scotia’s history alive for residents and visitors to the province.”
- The Honourable Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage

“This support has allowed us to expand and improve our outdoor areas, ensuring that our visitors feel safe as the province begins to reopen. Modifying how we do business, such as implementing online ticketing and shopping, has been spurred on by COVID-19, but will serve us well in the years to come.
- Thea Wilson-Hammond, Executive Director, Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society

Quick facts

  • Established in 2000, Memory Lane Heritage Village is located about 60 kilometres east of Dartmouth on the Eastern Shore of Halifax Regional Municipality, and opened June 23 for the 2021 season. 

  • The museum partners with community groups to present events like the Eastern Shore Cold Waters Seafood Festival (cancelled due to COVID in 2020 and 2021) and the Nova Scotia Forest Festival slated for October 2, 2021. It also hosts its own events.

  • Memory Lane Heritage Village’s attendance almost doubled between 2014 and 2019, from 7,000 visitors to more than 13,000 visitors.

  • Outdoor upgrades, including picnic tables and canopies, will allow for more lawn and outdoor eating and socializing. Hand sanitizing stations will also be installed.

  • The Province of Nova Scotia provided $13,000 through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

  • Funding from ACOA is provided through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF).

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Chris Brooks
Communications Director
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-830-3839
Chris.Brooks@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Mikaela Etchegary
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
902-229-5671
Mikaela.Etchegary@novascotia.ca

Thea Wilson-Hammond
Executive Director
Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society
902-802-4664
admin@visitmemorylane.ca

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