By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland's big Golden Plough Lodge-Northumberland County Archives and Museum project got a $432,406 Canadian Heritage boost through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the archives-and-museum portion of the build.
The announcement said the funding will support the installation of specialized equipment such as exhibition lighting and multi-media systems, compact mobile shelving and public art.
“Our government knows that investments in arts and culture help build vibrant communities,” the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, said in the press release.
“We are proud to support the Northumberland County Archives and Museum so that it can continue its important work in making the area's heritage, history and culture more tangible to residents and visitors.”
It was during initial planning for the rebuild of the Golden Plough Lodge long-term-care home that the county identified the opportunity to create space for this new facility to address another need – the Northumberland County Archives and Museum has outgrown its current accommodations in Cobourg's C. Gordon King Centre. It is anticipated that pairing the two projects will create an innovative new asset for the community.
The Northumberland County Archives and Museum is expected to open to the public in January 2023, with enough space to fulfill its mandate to preserve municipal records and delivery enhanced programming and exhibitions, increasing access to under-represented local historical and cultural collections,
It is anticipated that the facility will include a permanent display about the history of the county, an expanded reading room for public research, a processing and conservation lab, a quarantine area for new and unprocessed artifacts and documents, and a gallery that will allow community groups to showcase the stories they wish to tell.
“This investment by the Federal government is further recognition of the important role that cultural institutions play in engagement, education and community building,” Warden Bob Sanderson of the new 557,4-sq,-m. facility in the announcement.
“It will be a location where all will be welcome to visit, research and explore the varied and nuanced stories that our community has to tell.
“On behalf of county council, we sincerely appreciate the substantial injection of funding for this important project, which will help to ensure that Northumberland's rich local history is preserved and featured for generations to come.”
