By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
The mood was celebratory at the Acadian museum in West Pubnico on Wednesday as a ceremony was held to officially mark the expansion and renovations that have taken place over the past year, but were dreamed about many years before that.
An expansion at the Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos has allowed the museum to house a fireproof, climate-controlled vault to store its precious documents and archives.
The renovations have also created more working space and storage space upstairs in the archive and research centre. The research centre houses the collection of historian Father Clarence d’Entremont – who died in November 1998 – along with other collections, and includes over 5,000 books, periodicals, deeds, maps, land grants, photographs, church records, genealogical records and more.
As well, an old barn on the property has been given a new lease on life. It has been transformed into a space that allows for the delivery of Acadian-themed cultural programming. At this time it is housing an exhibit of photographs from the local photo club and an exhibition of model boats made by members of the community. Later on it will house an art exhibit.
During the July 28 official opening the new exhibit space was dedicated as La Salle Pauline and Viat d’Entremont in recognition of the work and dedication of these two community members towards the renovation project.
There was also recognition and thanks extended to the contractors who worked on the project, the community members who helped with the fundraising, the museum staff and volunteers and others.
The projects that were officially unveiled were made possible through funding that La Société historique acadienne de Pubnico-Ouest received. That funding was announced back in January and included $90,000 from the federal government, $40,000 from the provincial government and $25,000 from the Municipality of Argyle.
The total cost of the project was $197,000. The historical society is contributing the remaining $42,000. Through fundraising in the community it has so far raised $32,000.
Graham Steele, the province’s minister of finance and Acadian Affairs, congratulated the museum and the community for what it has achieved and called them a model to all communities in Nova Scotia.
Argyle Municipal Warden Aldric d’Entremont offered his congratulations for the community’s perseverance as many years were spent working on this project.
Indeed, the efforts date back to 2003.
“Can you imagine that (since then) we’ve been struggling, working, making requests for funds,” said Bernice d’Entremont, the museum’s director of programs. “To think that it’s now part of our history and it will be there forever.”
She said the vault – which is light controlled, fire controlled, temperature controlled and humidity controlled – offers protection to documents and artifacts that could never be replaced. Much of these documents were collected over decades by Father d’Entremont, an undertaking the museum could have never done on its own Bernice d’Entremont acknowledges. And now the museum has the ability to add to its collection.
“Father Clarence d’Entremont, your mentor from way back, would have been very proud to see what you’ve accomplished here today.” - West Nova MP Greg Kerr
“There’s houses in the community that still have some documents,” she said. “We’re still hoping that now that we have a good facility they can give those documents to the research centre and they will know they will be well taken care of.
“To preserve the history of the area, the history of Pubnico, that’s our aim and that’s our mission,” she said.
West Nova MP Greg Kerr said the newest renovations contribute greatly to the mission of the museum.
“This is a work of art. This stands out and you must be very proud to have this significant undertaking not only to protect the culture, but also to demonstrate to the rest of us just . . . how important it is to maintain and protect the Acadian culture,” he said.
“Father Clarence d’Entremont, your mentor from way back, would have been very proud to see what you’ve accomplished here today.”
