News Release

Eastern Shore Resident Honoured for Contribution to Local Museum and Archive

(Thursday, May 18/06)-- An Eastern Shore resident is the recipient this year of the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to a Museum and Archives, it was announced today.

Gordon Hammond, a founding member and current Chair of the Lake Charlotte Heritage Society, has been an inspiring leader of local volunteers whose fund-raising has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance the construction of the Memory Lane Heritage Village. Only a concept in 1995, it was completed in 2005. It is a living museum, representing a fishing village of the 1940s. The village also incorporates a climate controlled genealogy and archives centre.

The value and quality of the site was acknowledged in 2002 when the Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia awarded the village the title of “ Best New Attraction in Nova Scotia".

Mayor Peter Kelly said “Without Gordon’s contributions as a designer, construction manager and fund-raiser, the village would not exist. The municipality is pleased to recognize Gordon Hammond for his contribution to the creation of this heritage and economic asset to HRM.”

The Mayor’s Award was created to recognize the dedication of staff and volunteers in the care of HRM’s heritage resources. It is awarded annually in association with International Museum Day, which is being celebrated today. The day recognizes that “ Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples”. The theme for 2006 is “Museums and Young People”; an important theme as HRM increases its programming for youth.

HRM’s heritage community includes over 70 museums, archives, heritage societies and groups. Their work contributes to a distinctive municipal identity which HRM recognizes in its investment of approximately $750,000 to preserve heritage sites and assets throughout the Municipality.

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Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010