Expedition: Arctic arrives at Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre

News Release

Member of Parliament Bob Zimmer announces funding for the Fraser–Fort George Museum Society

April 8, 2014 – Prince George, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $15,000 through the Museums Assistance Program to support the Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre’s Expedition: Arctic exhibit.

Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament (Prince George–Peace River), announced this investment today on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover.

Expedition: Arctic was produced by the Canadian Museum of History in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature. This exhibition explores the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913 to 1918, which encountered new lands, established new settlements, and made new scientific discoveries in the Canadian North. The exhibition features over 250 artifacts, including many on public display for the first time.

Quick Facts

Expedition: Arctic opened on March 10 and will continue until June 1, 2014.
The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre is owned and operated by the Fraser–Fort George Museum Society.
Since 1958, the Fraser–Fort George Museum Society has been gathering and preserving information and records to create and sustain a unique participatory museum of regional history, science, and technology in Prince George.
The Society is committed to providing learning opportunities that foster an understanding of significant past and current issues shaping Canada's economy and that link experiences within the Regional District of Fraser–Fort George to Canada and the world.

Quotes

“We recognize the important role that museums play in strengthening our communities and enriching the quality of life of Canadians. Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre is a unique and important education facility in the heart of northern British Columbia, and I am thrilled that they will be supported through the Museums Assistance Program.”

—Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913 to 1918, which marked a significant turning point in Canada’s history. The funding announced today will allow Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre to share stories of our nation’s remarkable history.”

—Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament (Prince George–Peace River)

“The Museums Assistance Program funding support is vital to our exhibition program. We are eight hours from anywhere by land in terms of shipping exhibits to and from Prince George, and the Exhibition Circulation Fund makes it possible for us to bring significant collections to our community. Expedition: Arctic is an artifact-laden exhibit from the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, examining pioneering Canadian exploration of our Arctic at the turn of the century. It is a beautiful and timely subject, one that we are keenly interested here in Northern British Columbia.”

—Tracy Calogheros, CEO, Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre