Province promises to work with communities on museum closures, transfers

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins and Natasha O’Neill

The Nova Scotia government is promising to work with organizations and community groups regarding the future of some of the museums that are being shut down.

Nova Scotia announced the closure of 12 museums and most visitor information centres as it looks for cost savings while staring down a growing deficit. What followed was fear and backlash from community members and people whose family artifacts reside in the buildings.

A rally is planned for this weekend at one of the sites, the Fisherman’s Life Museum. That heritage home has been in Greg Puncher’s family for generations, and he said news of the closure was “gutting.”

He says staff were locked out of the museum, raising concerns about the well-being of donated artifacts and documents.

The department of culture and tourism told CityNews in an email that in the coming months, it will engage with local communities to explore options for future use of the buildings.

Related:

• More N.S. museums to close as province manages deficit-loaded budget
• Some Nova Scotia museums, visitor centres are closing for good

“We will manage the collections according to professional museum standards,” Meredith Hand, communications advisor for the department, said. “Some objects may remain within the Nova Scotia Museum system, while others may be transferred to appropriate institutions or community organizations. Any decisions will follow established deaccession policies.”

One of the major concerns, and rumour, spreading since the immediate closure of three sites, including the Fisherman’s Life Museum, is the worry that electricity and water could be shut off to the buildings.

Hand said that all museums closed will continue to be on the utility grid.

Puncher also raised concerns about how staff were treated and told about the job losses and closures, saying that employees were told they “no longer had value to Nova Scotians.”

Hand said the department will not comment on the specific matter but did confirm that all conversations were handled with respect and care.

“These are difficult discussions, and we recognize the impact they have on people and their families,” she said. “We value the work of all museum staff across the Nova Scotia Museum system. We’re grateful for their service and the care they’ve shown in sharing the stories that reflect our province.”

Fewer visitors a reason for the closures

The provincial government said several factors were considered when deciding which specific sites would be closed, including attendance and changing visitor expectations.

“In total, Nova Scotia Museum sites receive about 500,000 visitors each year. The 12 sites that are closing account for only 3 per cent of those visits, with some drawing fewer than 1,000 visitors annually,” Hand explained. “In recent years, the Fisherman’s Life Museum received an average of 1,466 visitors.”

The department says it recognizes the impact the closures will have on people and families, and staff have been provided with information about available supports.