Harper Government Invests in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
ALMONTE, Ontario, August 27, 2012 - An investment by the Government of Canada in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum will help boost the local economy and ensure that the Museum is able to carry out its activities year round for the benefit of locals and visitors. Support was announced today by the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament (Carleton–Mississippi Mills). Minister of State O’Connor made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the Museum.
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, a not-for-profit heritage organization that specializes in the history of the textile industry of Eastern Ontario’s Mississippi River Valley, purchased and installed new heating and cooling equipment. The project has resulted in year-round public access, increased exhibition and programming activities, and enhanced exhibit and storage capacity for the museum’s artifacts.
“This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today.”
“It is a great pleasure to see the tremendous results of our Government’s investment in this important heritage site,” said Minister of State O’Connor. “By investing in this project, we are ensuring that residents of the area and all Canadians have the opportunity to enjoy the rich culture and heritage of the Mississippi River Valley”
“The lack of heat in the winter and climate control in the summer has put heavy restrictions on the Museum’s programming and exhibits,” said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director and Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. “With this support, we will now be able to offer education programs throughout the school year. It allows us to give artifacts the proper protection, ensuring their availability to future generations, and we will also be able to attract more travelling exhibits and artists, since our galleries now meet the required standards.”
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $45,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Jillian Lum
Manager of Regional Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416-973-2050
Jillian.lum@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca