The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has joined with the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANL) to declare June 23-28 as Museum Week in the province.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is a place rich with history and culture," Minister Jackman said. "Our provincial museums are prized resources, as they allow us to understand our past, while inspiring us to preserve our unique heritage and culture for the future."

Museum Week highlights the significant contribution that museums make to our province.

"Each museum takes on a special meaning for the community which supports it, revealing something important about identity and way of life," said Peter Latta, President of MANL. "We encourage everyone to visit a local museum � during Museum Week and throughout the summer � as a way to reconnect with the stories and artifacts which make us unique."

Today (Wednesday, June 25) MANL is sponsoring an exhibit at the Avalon Mall in St. John�s, while on Saturday, June 28, participating museums across the province will host an open house with free admission.

The Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador was incorporated in 1980 under the leadership of a volunteer board of directors representative of the province�s museum and heritage communities. For more information, please visit: www.manl.nf.ca

Since the 2006 introduction of its cultural strategy: Creative Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government has invested $2.64 million in new heritage initiatives, including raising the funding for heritage sites and museums to more than $1 million annually.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca