[BCMA] Maritime Museum Rallies the Public to Preserve Historic Building

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

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                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2011

                     "Maritime Museum Rallies the Public to Preserve Historic Building"

VICTORIA, B.C. - The fate of a historically significant and architecturally stunning building - one that began life as Victoria's original "gateway" to the world - is currently being decided. Unfortunately, forthcoming information about the different proposals has been little to none. In response to this the Maritime Museum of BC, one of the prospective tenants, has organized a noontime rally, Tuesday, September 20th on the front lawn of the B.C. Legislature to show the public their ideas for the space.

"Our first priority is to the communities and the people of British Columbia," says Maritime Museum of B.C. President, Barry Rolston. "We take this responsibility very seriously as they own the Maritime Museum's collection. Because the building in question is one of British Columbia's largest maritime artefacts, it deserves to be protected and showcased in all its original architectural glory. We can achieve this through its reincarnation as the new Maritime Museum of BC."

The Maritime Museum of B.C. Foundation has created a fully developed, detailed plan to integrate the history and architecture of the building into an exciting and innovative maritime attraction. The Foundation has already received significant pledges of financial support that will bring the concept to reality. Attendees to the rally will have an opportunity to see the Maritime Museum's vision for the building and sign a petition.

There is, of course, a benefit to the Museum. "The Maritime Museum of B.C. is probably the only maritime museum in the world not located on the waterfront," says Rolston. "Fortunately, we have been presented with this very unique opportunity to bring together the magnificent steamship building and the fundamentally important provincial maritime collection in a manner that recognizes the influence and the heritage of the Salish Sea that surrounds the provincial capital."

Since the people of British Columbia own both the Museum's collection and the Canadian Pacific Steamship Building, the Maritime Museum of BC believes these communities have a responsibility to future generations to seize this one opportunity to preserve the province's maritime story in the neo- classical building that is itself an artefact of our maritime heritage.

The public is invited to join the rally as a demonstration of public support for the Maritime Museum of B.C.'s bid to relocate to the Canadian Pacific Steamship Building and to ask the Provincial Capital Commission to do what is in the best long-term interest of all the people of British Columbia and Canada, and dedicate the Canadian Pacific Steamship Building to educating generations to come about the seafaring legacy of their fore bearers.

Media Kits will be available. (rain or shine)
-30-

For more information contact MMBC Foundation President,  Jamie Webb:
E-  james.webb at forces.gc.ca<mailto:james.webb at forces.gc.ca>, T- 250-363-2707, C - 250-812-7418
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