Clarifies museum's funding focus

The Avon River Heritage Society is grateful for all contributions from many sources and appreciates the funding we recently received from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

However, we would like to address a misunderstanding regarding the caption that accompanied a submitted photo of a cheque presentation to our board. (The photo appeared in the Feb. 7 edition of The Hants Journal.)

We are very concerned about the perception it creates as our board needs, and applies for, more funding from other government sources. The grant provided will help, no question, but it will not go “a long way” as the caption suggests. The reality is that costs community museums incur have increased over recent years, as have the levels of volunteer time required to maintain the operations so they meet standards the province and visitors have come to expect. Provincial levels of funding have not matched these increases or assist with continual challenges our all-volunteer board faces with capital, staffing, promotion and program costs. We know we are not the only museum in this position and are fortunate to be able to soldier on.

Nor is this funding being used towards the Planter 250th anniversary, which is being led by the Kings-Hants Heritage Connection (KHHC) and in which the ARHS will play a supporting role. This significant celebration will require, and deserves, its own funding from government sources. Our board applied for the funding we received with the assistance of our councillor, Shirley Pineo, for capital renovations the museum has long needed. The amount was a third of what we applied for because renovating anything these days, as anyone knows, is not cheap.

Our intention is not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it is very important – for the ARHS and the KHHC - that we set the record straight.



Yours Sincerely,







Darryl Sheehy, President

Doug Crossman, VP

Heather Desveaux, Treasurer



Avon River Heritage Society