Canadian Government Invests in the Markham Museum

photo credit: reinapvia Flickr

MARKHAM, Ontario, September 24, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Paul Calandra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Oak Ridges-Markham), today congratulated the Markham Museum on the grand opening of the new Collections Building.

Markham Museum, owned and operated by the Corporation of the Town of Markham, is a large open-air heritage site, which includes nearly 30 buildings that tell the story of the town's past. The new 17,000 square foot Collections Building houses an exhibition space, a research area, and storage for archives and textiles. It has been built to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards for energy conservation. Thanks to the Government of Canada's investment, the community of Markham has a highly energy-efficient facility to present and preserve its rich heritage for generations to come.

"Our Government is proud to invest in heritage facilities like the Markham Museum," said Minister Moore. "By supporting infrastructure projects that enhance the quality of museums like this one, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support arts, culture, and heritage."

"It is a great pleasure to be here today to see the tremendous results of our Government's investment in this important local heritage site," said Mr. Calandra. "Residents and visitors to Markham will benefit from this impressive facility, which provides much-needed storage for many of the Museum's most valuable collections."

"This new Class A gallery and storage space at the Museum is a first-rate example of Markham's focus on excellence and of the results that can be achieved when we all work in partnership," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "This new building supports our Greenprint long-term community sustainability plan and will strengthen the Museum's role as a major regional attraction, already drawing over 50,000 visitors each year."

The Government of Canada previously announced funding of $854,500 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

The Government of Canada also provided funding of $41,500 through the Collections Management Component of the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

About the Markham Museum

From an 1820's Mennonite farm house to a 1940's caboose, there's more than a century of history at Markham Museum & Historic Village. Our 25-acre village is a fascinating journey into the past for all who visit. Visit the Markham Museum and see history unfold before your eyes!

Be a part of Markham's history, visit historic homes, the blacksmith shop, Markham's oldest Baptist church, and the H. Wilson Variety Hall. Or climb aboard the Acadia, a railway car once used by Princess Margaret and other dignitaries. See one of Ontario's finest collections of horsedrawn vehicles and discover why Markham was once the centre for carriage manufacturing in Ontario.
Visit our website

We offer a variety of events and exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy including our March Break Extravaganza, Haunted Museum, and our popular Applefest.

Hands-on discovery, active inquiry, integrated learning and fun is what you will find in Markham Museum's programmes enhancing the Ontario Curriculum for Social Studies/History and Geography, Science and Technology, Language and the Arts.

Located on Markham Road at 16th Avenue, North-West corner.

For more information about us and on our upcoming events & programs,
visit our website or contact us at http://www.markham.ca/markham/channels/museum/overview.htm

Phone: 905-294-4576
Fax: 905-294-4590
Email: museuminfo@markham.ca
Postal Mail: Markham Museum, 9350 Hwy. 48, Markham, ON, L3P 3J3