[BCMA] New stories, Helmcken House and St Ann's Schoolhouse

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

[cid:image001.png at 01CC1615.C3A73020]                              NEWS RELEASE







For Immediate Release
May 19, 2011

Helmcken House and St Ann’s Schoolhouse share new stories

Victoria, BC - Helmcken House and St Ann’s Schoolhouse - two of BC’s oldest homes - re-opened today after being closed and refurbished for the past year.

The houses have new interpretation panels, a unique fire suppression system and a refurbished interior and exterior including viewing panels to see the original structures. Updates to these historically-rich properties allow more room to show BC’s incredible collections in their original settings.

A life-sized statue of Dr. John S. Helmcken, a statesman who helped negotiate the entry of British Columbia into Canada and the first resident of Helmcken House, will be unveiled.  The statue was created by local artists Armando Barbon and Gabriele Vicari and donated to the museum by the family of Yole and Armando Barbon.

“Due to the generosity of donors, these houses and all that they contain - artifacts and memories - are safe for future generations,” stated Pauline Rafferty, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “The statue brings to life one of the Province’s statesmen, the original owner of Helmcken House, Dr John S. Helmcken, and we thank Mr. Barbon and his family for their generosity.”

As a result of a successful fundraising campaign, donors including the Sisters of St. Ann and the Society of Friends of St. Ann’s Academy raised $350,000 for a state of the art fire suppression system.  Royal BC Museum staff took the opportunity to refresh the houses, treating 350 objects including Dr. Helmcken’s surgical kits, framed photographs and a nun’s habit from the Sisters of St. Ann’s collection.

Helmcken House and St. Ann’s Schoolhouse will open to the public May 20, 2011 from noon to
4 pm daily through September 6, 2011.  Admission is by donation or included with a same-day museum admission or museum membership.

About the Royal BC Museum
As the provincial museum and archives, the Royal BC Museum preserves and shares the stories of British Columbia - on‐site, off‐site and online - through its research, collections, exhibitions and educational programs. Its two‐hectare cultural precinct also includes a number of historically significant buildings and First Nations sites.

For more information about the Royal BC Museum, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call 1‐888‐447‐7977.

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For more details, please see the Fast Facts, Conservation and Barbon Biography documents, attached.

Media contact:           Royal BC Museum Media Inquiries
250-387-3207
news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

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