Provincial museum needs some action

Published by The Guardian on September 13, 2011

 Editor:

Now is the time to seek a commitment to establish a provincial museum in the capital city.
During the last provincial election campaign, a promise was made to begin planning for a provincial museum, but no decision has been made. I believe very strongly that the museum should be established and have long advocated it should be located in Charlottetown. I am very disappointed that the city has not pursued this matter with the provincial government.
The city administration has an important role to play in ensuring the museum is located in Charlottetown, but I see no evidence that it has committed to the project.

As the provincial capital, as the Birthplace of Canada and as a city noted for its heritage and culture, Charlottetown is the only logical choice for a project that would have provincewide benefits. The establishment of a provincial museum should be a priority for all Islanders, and I hope this issue will be addressed during the current provincial election campaign.

During my campaign for mayor in 2010, I pledged to work with the provincial government to establish the museum in Charlottetown because of the economic and educational benefits it would provide to Islanders and visitors. We have a distinctive history and culture in this province, and we need to tell our stories. Now is the time to make a decision and move forward for the benefit of present and future generations.

Philip Brown,
Charlottetown

Brown calls for Decision on Provincial Museum

As published on the campaign website of Philip Brown - candidate for mayor of Charlottetown 2010

Charlottetown, August 23, 2010 — Charlottetown mayoral candidate Philip Brown says there is no better time than the present to establish the proposed provincial museum in Charlottetown.

“It is time for governments at all levels to come together and move forward on this initiative,” said Mr. Brown. “The studies have been done, the options have been identified and it is time to make a decision to finally establish a provincial museum in Charlottetown, the provincial capital.”

Mr. Brown said that Prince Edward Island is the only province in Canada without a provincial museum, and its establishment would help to interpret the history, heritage and culture of the province. He said it would also be a major attraction for visitors to the province, citing a recent study by the Tourism Research Centre at the University of Prince Edward Island which found 91 percent of visitors to the province visited a historic site, art gallery or museum.

“A provincial museum would not only fill a void in the province’s cultural landscape, it would also result in significant economic and educational benefits,” said Mr. Brown. “As mayor, I would work closely with the federal and provincial governments to secure an immediate start to this project in Charlottetown which would complement the historic character of the city and become a source of pride for all Islanders.”

Mr Brown said he would like to see the project completed by 2014, the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference.

Mr. Brown said the recent sale of the Dominion Building offers one interesting possibility as a location, although he would not rule out other sites within the city.

“I am very concerned that the present city administration has been dragging its feet on the project for too long and has failed to secure a commitment,” said Mr. Brown. “As mayor, I would make this an immediate priority during my first 30 days in office.”

Collaborating on a museum

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR as published in The Guardian Nov 7, 2009
Editor:

I fully agree with Dr. Ed MacDonald's letter 'Let's build a provincial museum' (The Guardian, Sept. 26, 2009).

One thing I would like to add is the need for collaboration amongst all levels of government as was the case in 1964 with the building of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Back then, the government of Canada provided the cash investment and the provincial legislature conveyed all of the property (approximately one acre) to the Fathers of Confederation Building Trust. The City of Charlottetown's contribution came in the form of an annual grant in lieu of taxes. Consequently, the Confederation Centre does not pay municipal taxes on the buildings or property. In 2009, this grant amounted to $208,000.

We need to encourage the province to lead the charge in announcing, within the very near future, the formation of a working group to plan a grand celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864. This plan must include the Parliament of Canada acknowledging Charlottetown's place in Canadian history as the Birthplace of Confederation by an Act of Parliament. As well, the new museum should incorporate this important and historical contribution including the many other facets of Island history.

A citizens group worked together to bring about the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Now it's time for the provincial government to provide the leadership to move forward and build a new museum with collaboration from the federal government and the municipal government of Charlottetown.

Philip Brown,

Charlottetown