P.E.I. history a story that must be told, says Ian Scott

By KATIE SMITH - THE GUARDIAN - March 22, 2007

The Island's history is a story that needs to be told and put on display, says a former executive director of the P.E.1. Museum and Heritage Foundation.

Ian Scott, who held that position from 1983-88 and who is still a foundation member, attended the foundation's recent annual general meeting.

He said one of the motions passed at the meeting stated how the board indicated that it "dreams of establishing a provincial museum where much of the Island history presently housed in our 'artifactory' could be i presented and interpreted to the public."

Scott agrees, saying not only does the province need a new artifactory, to replace the aging one in West Royalty, it should also build a museum to
display the artifacts in storage.

"I happen to believe very powerfully that our history is very important and that our natural history is an amazing story that has to be told and it needs to be told."

Scott said while speaking at several consultations over the past month, put on by the Institute of Island Studies which addressed the issue of the artifactory to be built in Murray River, he heard from several Islanders about what they'd like to see happen.

"Islanders are saying they want their heritage and they want to see it displayed."

The minister responsible for community and cultural affairs, Elmer MacFadyen, said there is no need for a provincial museum.

"There's no need for a centralized museum. We have seven museum sites across the province and we have a storage facility in Charlottetown that supplies artifacts to each of those facilities."

The province will accept findings from the Institute of Island Studies consultations and will consider them, he said.

"But in all likelihood, nothing will change."