BARKERVILLE, British Columbia, June 16, 2008 -Visitors to the Historic Town of Barkerville will have more opportunities to learn about the Cariboo region's heritage, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Richard Harris, Member of Parliament (Cariboo-Prince George), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie today announced funding for the Barkerville Heritage Trust.
Funding of $47,500 will be used for phase three of the Barkerville Cataloguing Project. This project will catalogue more than 20 500 artifacts over a six month period. Each artifact will be systematically reviewed, photographed, and updated for a collections database. The completion of this project will allow researchers to have increased accessibility, improved collections management, a better understanding of collections, and improved exhibitions for the public. The use of more accurate and standardized tools in collections procedures will allow this remote historic town to provide increased access to visitors and researchers from around the world.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the efforts of local heritage institutions, which play an important role in the development of communities across Canada," said Minister Verner. "Heritage sites such as this one play an important part in sustaining the economic future of Canadian communities, as well as in facilitating access to the treasures of our collective heritage."
"The Historic Town of Barkerville represents the living history of the Cariboo region," said Mr. Harris. "The Government of Canada is committed to supporting activities that enrich the cultural life of our communities and create a legacy of excellence."
"The Museums Assistance Program funding has allowed Barkerville to move collections management into the 21st century," said Bill Quackenbush, Curator of Barkerville Heritage Trust. "A digital photographic record and database will allow us to showcase this important collection on-line, to publish catalogues, to analyze artifacts, and to provide efficient management, which will increase our collective knowledge and ability to distribute information to all Canadians."
The Government of Canada has provided financial support through the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, which 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:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
