The Department of Canadian Heritage Helps Communities Keep Memories Alive
OTTAWA, May 6, 2003 -- In the lead-up to International Museums Day, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced the Virtual Museum of Canada's Community Memories, a group of new exhibits that feature the digital collections of community museums, preserving them forever and making local histories available to all Canadians.The official launch took place in Winnipeg during the Canadian Museums Association's 56th Annual Conference.
"The Community Memories program will ensure that local Canadian histories do not get lost," said Minister Copps. "The Government of Canada is very proud to provide local museums with a place to share their stories with other communities across the country."
Twenty-one exhibits from local museums in Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador are currently on display at www.virtualmuseum.ca. Over 100 museums from other parts of the country have successfully submitted stories that will be posted online in the coming year.
The collection highlights diverse aspects of local life. A Mother's War shares the diaries of Clara Hawkers, a mother of two soldiers fighting overseas in the Great War (1914-18). Hawkers recorded events of everyday life in her Newfoundland community for her sons to enjoy upon their safe return.
Serving a King and Country: Transcona's Hometown Heroes will be posted online this year. Developed by the Transcona Historical Museum in Winnipeg, King and Country focuses on the impact of war on the community and recognizes the courage of its own hometown heroes.
Community Memories gives community museums the chance to engage their communities in creating online stories that would otherwise not be shared.
"This is an incredible opportunity for communities and local museums from across the country to tell their stories, " says Sheryl Kolt, Museum Curator, Transcona Historical Museum. "Community Memories is a place for people to share and learn about community achievements that make up our culture and our country."
Over the next two weeks events will be held across the country at contributing museums to introduce the collection nationwide.
The Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) is a unique gateway featuring innumerable stories and treasures entrusted to Canadian museums. The VMC was created by the Canadian Heritage Information Network, a federal agency reporting to the Department of Canadian Heritage, in collaboration with over 1000 museums, other government agencies, educational institutions and the private sector. The VMC is part of the strategy of the Department of Canadian Heritage which seeks to promote the presence of Canadian cultural content in cyberspace.
Information:
Glenn Merritt
Lewis Communications
(204) 940-4224
gmerritt@lewcom.com
Celebrate Museums and Friends on International Museum Day May 18, 2003, by taking a friend to your local museum.
[ Media Room ]
