Victoriaville, Quebec – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced $45,993 in funding to develop a reserve in accordance with museum standards and to handle all the collections from the personal residence of former prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. This funding, granted under the Museums Assistance Program's Collections Management component, will help improve access to the collection as we approach the 175th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's birth in 2016.

Quick Facts

• The project's main activities, to take place from June 9, 2014, to May 31, 2015, will consist of buying storage units, refitting the premises, establishing environmental controls, photographing and classifying objects in the reserve, and updating the collections management database.
• The project is part of the activities planned to highlight milestones in Canada's history as we approach the country's 150thanniversary in 2017. The 175th anniversary of the birth of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to be celebrated in 2016, will be among the events commemorated by the Government of Canada.
• For the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Société du Musée Laurier will highlight Prime Minister Laurier's contribution to Canada's history with a travelling exhibition of artifacts from the collection.

Quotes

“Our government is pleased to support the work of Musée Laurier curators—especially as 2016 will mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, an important milestone leading up to celebrations for the 150th anniversary of our magnificent country.”
—Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“This is a welcome and timely contribution, as it coincides with the 85th anniversary of Musée Laurier's founding!”
—Gérald Milot, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Société du Musée Laurier