as published in The Guardian March 12, 2007
BY CATERINE HENNESSEY - GUEST OPINION
As a number of consultative meetings are occurring in March concerning a provincial museum, I think it important to note that the Island heritage movement itself has had a long history.
In 1881 a Historical Society was formed, followed a decade later by the creation of a Natural History Society. Members of both groups hoped their collections of artifacts and specimens would find a home in a provincial museum. This wish was rekindled in 1905 when the mayor of Charlottetown, F.F. Kelly and his council, granted space to the Natural History and Antiquarian Society in the Market House for the establishment of a museum "such as is found in the capitals of other provinces."
The idea was raised again in 1927 by Chester McLure, MLA, when he gave an evening lecture on the desirability of a provincial library, museum and art gallery. The next year the Harris family donated paintings, financial support and an endowment to help support an art gallery, a library, an archives and a museum. The Harris Memorial Library and the Art Gallery opened in 1930, but it took a decade before it was recognized that the museum and archives were not going to materialize in this building.
With the end of the Second World War, a children's art centre and an arts and crafts guild were under discussion. Given space by the city in the Market House, and funding from the Kinsmen, an art centre was formed and operated successfully for almost a decade. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, the IODE presented exhibits of "Articles of Historical Interest". At a meeting in Charlottetown of the Royal Commission on the Development of Arts, Sciences and Letters (the Massey Commission), the P.E.I. Adult Education Council reiterated the need for a provincial museum, as well as training for museum professionals.
The story of the Confederation Centre for the Arts (opened in 1964) hardly needs repeating, except to say that the Art Galleryagreed to take care of the Harris Collection. The archives quickly outgrew its space in the centre and now the library looks like it, too, needs extra room. Although space for a museum never materialized, other institutions, under the tutelage of the P.E.I. Heritage Foundation (created in 1970), worked to preserve parts of the Island's heritage.
Now, it is 36 years since the Heritage Foundation Act and we are at another threshold. Having been involved in the preservation of our culture and heritage for over 40 years, I can not let go of the idea that this Island is worthy of a strong, central institution that will preserve, research and interpret our culture for ourselves and our visitors. What breaks my heart is the shrugging of shoulders over the artifactory just being a warehouse and so it does not matter where it is located.
A museum collection is the very soul of an institution: to be protected by a staff, catalogued, studied and interpreted in lectures, published material and exhibitions and then always linked with the stories of our people. It is the hands-on task of staff. The staff of our institution is small and their energies must be protected and used to their maximum. They need the support of UPEI, Holland College, the Provincial Archives and the appreciation of all Islanders.
Although I support a moratorium on all development so we can answer the heritage needs in the 21st century, I can't help but believe that an ideal place to combine all our cultural and hentage needs could be found in the Dominion Building on Queen Street. Its location downtown, opposite the Confederation Centre, would create a cultural and economic magnet for this area. I see more and more people getting behind this idea, but they should not let the opportunity pass without letting their local, provincial and federal representatives know their thoughts. Let us spend tax dollars wisely.
Catherine Hennessey of Charlottetown
is a well known heritage activist.
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