Government Invests in Lunenburg Heritage

The historic Town of Lunenburg is developing a strategy to protect its heritage and generate economic growth with $270,000 in federal and provincial funding announced today, Jan. 20, at the Lunenburg and District Fire Hall.

The government of Nova Scotia announced a $90,000 investment, over the next three years for a heritage strategy to help the community take full advantage of its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

This investment ensures that present and future generations of Nova Scotians and visitors will continue to appreciate its role in Nova Scotia history. It reflects one of the strategic directions included in the province's heritage strategy, A Treasured Past, a Precious Future, launched in 2008.

"Lunenburg is an important part of Nova Scotia's heritage, and a tremendous asset to its tourism industry," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Natural Resources on behalf of Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Planning for the sustainable management of this significant heritage resource is an important part of the province's heritage strategy."

The federal government is contributing $180,000 towards the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Parks Canada.

This funding highlights the value of combining the efforts of community members and multiple levels of government to preserve Nova Scotia's rich heritage. The town is interested in increasing investment in Lunenburg's cultural heritage. It will do this in part with a public awareness campaign and strategy.

"It has been more than 10 years since we last reviewed our town's heritage strategy and we have been anxious to move forward with a program which would educate and involve the citizens of today in planning for our future," said Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney. "I am therefore delighted that the work of renewing our heritage strategy has become a partnership in which we have received the strong support of both the federal and provincial governments."