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Government of Canada Supports the Preservation of History and Culture at Old Burying Ground National Historic Site of Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 15, 2013 -- On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Member of Parliament for Central Nova and Minister of National Defence, today announced an investment by the Government of Canada for the conservation of the Old Burying Ground National Historic Site of Canada.
“Our government is proud to ensure that the legacy of the Old Burying Ground National Historic Site, including its connections to the War of 1812, remains strong for local residents and tourists to appreciate for generations to come,” said Minister MacKay. “This funding contributed to important conservation work that will help preserve one of downtown Halifax’s best known sites – a site that plays a significant role in the local tourism industry, welcoming and engaging visitors from around the world.”
Designated a national historic site in 1991 for its unique concentration of Canadian gravestone art from the 18th and early 19th centuries and its substantial Welsford-Parker Monument commemorating the Crimean War, the site contains more than 1,200 head and foot stones. Through Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program, the Government of Canada agreed to contribute up to $20,222.50 to support a conservation project, part of a multi-year undertaking to conserve several hundred highly threatened gravestones in the cemetery, and stabilize over 150 damaged or deteriorated tombstones at the Old Burying Ground National Historic Site of Canada.
“Our government values national historic sites as places where Canadians connect to their history and that they can use in their current daily lives,” said Minister Kent. “In order to ensure that these places continue to inspire Canadians for generations to come and continue to contribute as important drivers of tourism, we are investing in their protection and preservation and supporting the local community groups who manage these national treasures.”
“The Old Burying Ground attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually. There is a continuing need for conservation and preservation of these historic stones and we are in Phase Two of a $150,000 conservation effort dealing on a prioritized basis with the age-old gravestones and tombs most at risk,” said Don Lordly, Director and Vice Chair of the Old Burying Ground Foundation. “The project has been generously supported by Parks Canada’s Cost-Sharing Program and we were very grateful to receive additional funding for this segment of the work. The project helped to ensure protection and preservation of this National Historic Site treasure for future generations of visitors, historians and trustees to enjoy.”
The Cost-Sharing Program reflects the Government of Canada’s dedication to protect Canada’s heritage through funding towards the conservation of our national historic sites. Parks Canada is pleased to continue its efforts to ensure that Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
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Information:
Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
“Our government is proud to ensure that the legacy of the Old Burying Ground National Historic Site, including its connections to the War of 1812, remains strong for local residents and tourists to appreciate for generations to come,” said Minister MacKay. “This funding contributed to important conservation work that will help preserve one of downtown Halifax’s best known sites – a site that plays a significant role in the local tourism industry, welcoming and engaging visitors from around the world.”
Designated a national historic site in 1991 for its unique concentration of Canadian gravestone art from the 18th and early 19th centuries and its substantial Welsford-Parker Monument commemorating the Crimean War, the site contains more than 1,200 head and foot stones. Through Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program, the Government of Canada agreed to contribute up to $20,222.50 to support a conservation project, part of a multi-year undertaking to conserve several hundred highly threatened gravestones in the cemetery, and stabilize over 150 damaged or deteriorated tombstones at the Old Burying Ground National Historic Site of Canada.
“Our government values national historic sites as places where Canadians connect to their history and that they can use in their current daily lives,” said Minister Kent. “In order to ensure that these places continue to inspire Canadians for generations to come and continue to contribute as important drivers of tourism, we are investing in their protection and preservation and supporting the local community groups who manage these national treasures.”
“The Old Burying Ground attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually. There is a continuing need for conservation and preservation of these historic stones and we are in Phase Two of a $150,000 conservation effort dealing on a prioritized basis with the age-old gravestones and tombs most at risk,” said Don Lordly, Director and Vice Chair of the Old Burying Ground Foundation. “The project has been generously supported by Parks Canada’s Cost-Sharing Program and we were very grateful to receive additional funding for this segment of the work. The project helped to ensure protection and preservation of this National Historic Site treasure for future generations of visitors, historians and trustees to enjoy.”
The Cost-Sharing Program reflects the Government of Canada’s dedication to protect Canada’s heritage through funding towards the conservation of our national historic sites. Parks Canada is pleased to continue its efforts to ensure that Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
Information:
Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
