Murray River a good place for artifactory

as published in The Guardian - March 16, 2007
ROBIN JOHNSTON - Murray Harbour North

It was with excitement that I heard government’s announcement that a new artifactory/museum showcasing our Island’s cultural heritage was to be located in Murray River.

At last, a forward-thinking decision reflecting vision, one that practised inclusion by involving a rural community, rather than excluding it.

There has been an outcry from some involved in Island heritage preservation. I disagree with those who argue that keeping the heritage/cultural collection in Charlottetown is best.

In reference to Catherine Hennessey’s commentary in The Guardian (March 12, 2007), I find her appeal for a “strong, central institution that will preserve, research and interpret our culture” somewhat melodramatic. I do not see how relocating the heritage collection to Murray River would threaten the value of Island heritage.

Ms. Hennessey comments that those involved in heritage/cultural efforts, “need the support of UPEI, Holland College . . . the Provincial Archives.” Is she suggesting that housing the collection a mere hour away from Charlottetown is going to compromise vital communication with the resources she listed? Murray River is not the end of the earth.

If Ms. Hennessey is concerned that a museum located in Murray River would languish unattended or unacknowledged by those interested in the past, I think she is misguided. Every year, countless River area residents act as informal ambassadors, willingly assisting many visitors who come here seeking some connection with their past.

In paragraph seven, she states that heritage efforts “need the appreciation of all Islanders.” Precisely. Our heritage belongs to all of us, not some of us.

Ms. Hennessey says she supports a moratorium on the Murray River proposal so that “We can answer the heritage needs in the 21st century.” Is the implication here that locating such a facility in the River, would somehow be considered a step back in time? Not current, or progressive? I find this offensive.

The plea to centralize our cultural/heritage collection in a downtown building because it would create, “a cultural and economic magnet for this area” is over the top. Is Charlottetown so seriously lacking in economic and cultural development that a proposed artifactory in another location is going to compromise its economic security? I think not.

I applaud the province’s proposal to locate the artifactory/museum in Murray River and promote the continued sharing of our cultural treasures.