Tuesday, January 13, 2015

P.E.I. NDP want to turn Fanningbank into provincial museum

As published in the Journal-Pioneer, Jan 13, 2015

CHARLOTTETOWN – Prince Edward Island’s New Democratic Party want to turn the Lieutenant Governor’s residence in Charlottetown into a provincial museum.

Party leader Mike Redmond said in a press release Tuesday that if enough NDP members are sent to the legislature in the upcoming provincial election, they would convert Fanningbank into a provincial museum by 2017.
“Islanders of all walks of life and thousands of tourists will enjoy a new provincial museum in an ideal location in our capitol city, in between Beaconsfield and Victoria Park,” said Redmond.
“If we make an objective of establishing the provincial museum at
Fanningbank by 2017 we will provide plenty of time to scale back
vice-regal operations and transition the family to new accommodations as is the case in some other provinces.”
Redmond pointed out that the Fanningbank mansion is open to the public from July until August, and is only used by the Lieutenant Governor’s family and office for the rest of the year. 

Monday, January 12, 2015

Charting a Course: A Study of Heritage in Prince Edward Island

It was September, 2008 a study team headed by The IRIS Group, including Diane Griffin, Harry Baglole, Yvette Doucette drew on the skills of Andrea Arbic, Ann Howatt Ph.D, Monica MacDonald Ph.D, Terry Ruddell Ph.D, Robert Frame, and Georges Arsenault to produce a report called Charting A Course: The Study of Heritage on PEI, for the Prince Edward Island Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs & Labour.

This week I came across this important report and was reminded that precious little has been done since to move ahead on the recommendations of this important study. Once again we find ourselves with another important report sitting on a shelf — a very long shelf — with reports calling for action on developing a proper provincial museum, with the capacity to fulfil its mandate.

. . .the sense of urgency felt by Islanders about what is at stake — what is being endangered and lost. Collections, buildings and landscapes are among the many heritage areas at risk. The need and desire for immediate action is great.
- Executive Summary
Charting a Course: A Study of Heritage in Prince Edward Island

Ian Scott,
Charlottetown
Jan 12, 2015