OWEN SOUND, Ontario, August 11, 2006 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Larry Miller, Member of Parliament (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound), today announced federal Government support for the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. This funding will enable the Museum to digitize its military collection and make it available online through a specially developed Web collections portal.
"Canada's new Government is pleased to support organizations, like the Bruce County Museum, that preserve and highlight important parts of our common heritage," said Minister Oda. "The Museum's holdings, including uniforms, medals, weapons, registration cards, battlefield maps, and soldiers' personal letters, will now be made available to anyone seeking access to this unique and valuable collection."
"By putting this heritage collection online, more and more Canadians will be able to learn important details about their history," said Mr. Miller. "This large undertaking is of significant value not only to academics, but to all Canadians who are interested in pre-Confederation and Canadian military history. Photographing and digitizing the collection will improve access to unique information for students, academics, and all Canadians."
The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is a municipally operated heritage institution. It has a mandate to promote and protect the history, culture, and traditions of Bruce County. As the main source of information for local history, the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre serves a county population of 64,000 permanent and 29,000 seasonal residents who do not have access to a large urban-centred or university-based library.
Financial assistance of $20,300 is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Museums Assistance Program. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
Information:
Nancy Heppner
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Status of Women
819 997-7788
Anna Marie Young
Parliamentary Assistant
Office of the Member of Parliament (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound)
613 996-5191
Jaime Burke
A/Communications Manager
Canadian Heritage
Ontario Region
416 973-2050
