January 6, 2008

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT HELPS THUNDER BAY MUSEUM PROMOTE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS
Funding To Support Promotion In Canadian And U.S. Markets

THUNDER BAY — The McGuinty government is helping the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society market its centennial celebrations, Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll announced today at the society’s annual President’s Reception. 

“Our museums allow us to step back in time and see our communities and the world from a different perspective,” said Carroll. “The Ontario government is pleased to support and celebrate the province’s community museums and their contributions to our quality of life.”
 
The new $25,000 in funding, provided by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, will help the Thunder Bay Historical Museum attract visitors from across Ontario, Manitoba and border states. The funding brings the Ontario government’s financial support for the museum since 2006 to more than $410,000. Other investments include:

• $340,000 in 2006 to help renovate the museum’s new home in a former court house and police station in downtown Thunder Bay.
• More than $45,000 since 2006 for operations and development of the museum through the Community Museum Operating Grants program.

The renovations to the museum include additional gallery spaces and the restoration of the original 1910 façade.

The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society preserves and interprets the history of Northwestern Ontario through lectures, events, publications, monuments and plaques, and archives. The museum welcomes up to 4,000 students a year, with hundreds more taking advantage of summer and holiday programs.

“We are delighted that the McGuinty government is helping us promote our centennial celebrations to residents and visitors from across Ontario, Manitoba and the United States, and look forward to welcoming everyone to our year-round festivities,” said Museum Curator and Director, Dr. Tory Tronrud.

"I am pleased that our government is supporting the special celebrations planned for this year. Turning 100 is a major milestone and the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society should be proud of its many accomplishments," added Thunder Bay--Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro.

The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund helps reduce the financial risk of creating new ventures by providing organizations with up-front working capital in the form of partially-repayable loans.

"The Museum is an essential cultural tourism destination for Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario and OCAF is thrilled to invest in the centennial celebration", said Dr. Murray Frum, Chair of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.

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Contacts:
John-Michael Poon, Minister’s Office, 416-325-7285
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, 416-314-3497