Parliamentary Secretary Del Mastro Announces Investment in the Peterborough Museum and Archives

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, May 24, 2013 - Dean Del Mastro, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Member of Parliament (Peterborough), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced a Government of Canada investment in the Corporation of the City of Peterborough for upgrades to the Peterborough Museum and Archives.

“The Peterborough Museum and Archives plays an important role in preserving the rich culture and heritage of this community,” said Mr. Del Mastro. “Today’s investment will help ensure that the city’s residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the collections for years to come.”

The museum, built in 1967, collects and preserves the heritage of the Peterborough area. This investment will contribute to the renovation of the museum’s lower level and to the preservation and relocation of its collections. The support will also help create enhanced public programming facilities that will be used for educational workshops for youth and other outreach activities.

“Our Government is proud to support the preservation of a unique collection of Canada’s cultural heritage,” said Minister Moore. “By investing in local infrastructure projects like these, we are supporting the economy and the cultural strength of our communities.”

“Through the lower level renovations, the museum will be able to increase its capacity to care for its collections, while encouraging learning and scholarship in a non-conventional setting,” said Susan Neale, Museum Director, Peterborough Museum and Archives. “The renovated museum will improve Peterborough’s public image to visitors from across the globe! With the support of the Government of Canada, the Peterborough Museum and Archives will head down a new and exciting road!”

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $430,000 through two programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: $380,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and $50,000 through the Museums Assistance Program. The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund 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. The Museums Assistance 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

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