Queens County museums supported by program

Every year 67 community museums throughout Nova Scotia get a total of $1-million annually through the Community Museum Assistance Program.

Queens County Museum Director, Linda Rafuse says, “The government has heard the call of museums who are in dire need of more financial aid.”

As a result Nova Scotia community museums have received a one-time grant of $10,000.

“Our heritage strategy identified a need for greater support for museums,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Bill Dooks. “These community museums and the heritage workers and volunteers who operate them, tell the local stories that make up our unique and diverse heritage. I’m pleased to be able to provide this much needed support.”

“It was certainly a surprise but it was a wonderful surprise,” said the Milton Blacksmith Shop Museum Curator, Christine Tupper.

One idea she has for the museum is to purchase a computer and a camera to digitize their collection.

“There’s so many things we can do with it,” she said about the money.

Rafuse said for now they will sit on the money until the end of their fiscal year.

The North Queens Heritage House was the third local museum to receive the one time grant of $10,000.

North Queens Heritage Society Secretary, Sharon Crooker said “no plans have been finalized but some (of the money) will be used for necessary repairs to the heritage house and the rest will be used extremely wisely, hoping it will sustain us over a period of time.”

The Heritage House is also in the process of finding a new curator.

Crooker’s closing words were, “remember that the museums in our communities are community based and the support of the community is essential for the continuation of this very important aspect of life in our community.”