PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation welcomes new members to its board

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, June 3, 2016  -- Four Islanders have been appointed to the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation Board to add new community voices to decision-making about Island museum and heritage sites, says Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie.

“The province’s cultural offerings help define us and the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation is part of this important sector, bringing visitors to Island communities while preserving our heritage for future generations,” said Minister Currie. “I welcome the new board members and thank them for putting their names forward through Engage PEI.”

The new board members are Elizabeth Noonan, Eddie Rice, Diane Griffin, and Robert Nicholson. Existing Board member Carolyn McKillop of Summerside will replace Harry Kielly who served as Board Chair for two terms. They will join existing board members Claire Nantes and Marilyn MacDonald of Charlottetown and Anne Richard of Summerside.

The PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, through its Board and staff, operates seven provincial museums and heritage sites across Prince Edward Island, providing Islanders and visitors with an opportunity to discover Prince Edward Island heritage and culture.

The Basin Head Fisheries Museum also welcomes Elizabeth MacDonald from Souris as its new site-manager. Basin Head Fisheries Museum opens June 6, telling the story of PEI’s historic in-shore fishery. While at Basin Head, wander the boardwalk and stroll along the “singing” sands and stop for ice cream at The Scoop.
 
Elmira Railway Museum, Orwell Corner Historic Village and Green Park Shipbuilding Museum & Yeo House also open June 6, joining the other sites which are open year round: Beaconsfield Historic House, Eptek Art & Culture Centre and the Acadian Museum.

Beyond administering these sites, the Foundation is responsible for the provincial collection of more than 90,000 artifacts. Staff provide professional conservation and collection services to outside groups, individuals and organizations.

“Heritage is a key part of our Island identity and speaks to our diverse roots and cultural traditions,” said Museum and Heritage Foundation Executive Director David Keenlyside. “We look forward to welcoming Islanders and our visitors to learn about our past and appreciate what has been preserved for future generations.”

Engage PEI offers Islanders an opportunity to become involved in one of the nearly 70 government agencies, boards and commissions. For a list of agencies, boards and commissions looking for new members, visit http://www.gov.pe.ca/engagepei/

To learn more about the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and its seven museum and heritage sites, visit http://www.peimuseum.com/ or call 902-368-6600
 
Media contact:
Darlene Gillis
ddgillis@gov.pe.ca
902-314-3128
 
About the new PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation Board Members
 
Elizabeth Noonan, Summerside, has twenty years’ experience in the business sector and, in 1998, established the PEI Business Hall of Fame.
 
Eddie Rice, Charlottetown, has a career in real estate and is a Charlottetown city Councillor.
 
Diane Griffin, Stratford, is a former Deputy Minister of the Department of Environmental Resource, a former Executive Director of the Island Nature Trust and a Town of Stratford Councillor.
 
Robert Nicholson, Montague, is an English and Drama Teacher at Montague Regional High School.
 
Some upcoming events at the seven PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation sites:
 
GREEN PARK SHIPBUILDING MUSEUM & YEO HOUSE - 902-831-7947
 
July 1 - Canada Day
 
Join the staff and friends of Green Park Shipbuilding Museum and Historic Yeo House to celebrate Canada’s 149th Birthday! We will supply complimentary Canada Day cake, juice, and, tours of the Historic Yeo House will be provided.  There will also be musical entertainment and children's games!  
 
August 21 - 39th Annual Blueberry Social- 1:30-4:30pm
 
This is a joint venture between Ellerslie 4-H and the staff at Green Park Shipbuilding Museum. Join us on our beautiful grounds, for the 39th Annual Blueberry Social.  Enjoy a generous piece of homemade blueberry pie or cake, while enjoying our musical entertainment, old fashioned carnival games and our famous pie eating contest.   During summer call 902-831-7947      Located at 360 Green Park Road, Port Hill.
 
ORWELL CORNER HISTORIC VILLAGE - 902-651-8515  
 
June 30 - Plein Art Festival - Orwell will host artists coming to paint at the site for the day.
 
July 1- Canada Day Celebrations at the Corner - Cake and wagon rides and lots of other things to see and do!
 
Tuesday Night Concert Series - The Treble with Girls - In the hall, every Tuesday in July and August.
 
ELMIRA RAILWAY MUSEUM - 902-357-7234
 
July 1 – Canada Day Celebrations featuring miniature train and speeder/trolley rides; Birthday cake and lots of free Canada Day souvenirs; and inflatables for the kiddies.
 
July 31 - The Annual Strawberry Social with local entertainment (TBA) Please feel free to visit the Museum, Model Train collection and the “Original Link” exhibit at no cost. Ice Cream with strawberries will be available for sale.
 
BEACONSFIELD HISTORIC HOUSE - 902-368-6603
 
The Children's Festival - Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00am to Noon July 13 to August 24, in the Carriage House. The Mikmaq Theatre Company will present, How Rabbit Got His Ears.
 
EPTEK ART & CULTURE CENTRE - 902-888-8373
 
Heavy Metal: From the Forge and Heart of Eric Schurman - Showing - June to Mid-October - Official Opening June 19 at 2:00 p.m.  Light Refreshments will be served. On exhibit until mid-October
 
ACADIAN MUSEUM - 902-432-2880
 
Opening on June 19, the summer and fall exhibition Dansez: Acadian Dance Traditions on P.E.I., Past and Present will present an experience of the joy of Acadian dance and music through numerous photos, video and audio clips, and even an opportunity to learn a few step dancing steps!
 
Also on view are the permanent exhibition and video on the history and culture of the Island Acadians, from 1720 to today.
 
Tuesday talks - The 12th edition of Tuesday Talks will be held from July 5 to August 9. Talks on a variety of subjects regarding Acadian heritage will be presented in the six lectures series, three in French and three in English. The talks begin at 7:30 p.m.