Harper Government Invests in the Hudson’s Hope Museum

HUDSON’S HOPE, British Columbia, July 27, 2012 - A new investment from the Government of Canada will allow the Hudson’s Hope Museum to serve as a heritage resource hub for British Columbia’s Peace River region. Funding was announced today by Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament (Prince George–Peace River), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Senior Regional Minister for British Columbia.

This support will assist the Hudson’s Hope Historical Society in undertaking a collections management project and integrating a new open-source digital collection management system to replace the outdated paper catalogue system. This project will ensure long-term public access to 3,200 artifacts in the Museum’s collection.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in heritage institutions like the Hudson’s Hope Museum,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting this project, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and support our arts, culture, and heritage.”

“The Hudson’s Hope Museum is an important cultural resource for residents in British Columbia’s Peace River region,” said Mr. Zimmer. “By collaborating with the Museum, we are providing more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with our local heritage.”

“We are very grateful for the support we have received from the Government of Canada,” said Elinor Morrissey, Manager and Curator, Hudson’s Hope Museum. “This funding will make it possible for the Hudson’s Hope Historical Society to upgrade the museum’s card catalogue to a computer-based database, in the long run making our heritage more accessible and preserving it for future generations.”

The Hudson’s Hope Historical Society, established in 1967, owns and operates the Hudson’s Hope Museum. The Museum, housed in a former Hudson’s Bay store, offers exciting exhibits on the area’s prehistory (dinosaur fossils, bones, and tracks), the fur trade and frontier era (Aboriginal, North West Company and Hudson’s Bay Company), and boom times (construction of Bennett and Peace dams).

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $12,550 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Perry Boldt
Regional Manager Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca