DID YOU know?
The heritage centre committee is comprised of members of the Hantsport and Area Historical Society and interested community members.
The members are: Brian Bishop, Roy Bishop, Jane Davis, Toni Heatley, Marg Johnston, Allen Keeping, Raye Myles, Judson Porter and Sally Zamora.
who died in 2006, “in recognition of the positive economic, cultural, social and communityminded impact they both had on Hantsport, the town that they loved.”
Paula (McDade) Cunningham — Dorie and Garnet McDade’s daughter — and her husband Doug Cunningham created an endowment fund to help create and sustain the centre. While they no longer reside in Hantsport, they said they have such fond memories and know the McDades loved the community and its people.
Roy Bishop, the chair of the heritage centre fundraising campaign, worked tirelessly to bring the society’s vision for a museum to life. He was credited with bringing the Cunninghams on board to create an endowment fund, and he worked with Scotia Investments Limited to secure the property, which they sold for $1.
“Without the generous support of the Cunninghams and the Bishops, we would not be here today. Our society and the Hantsport and area community are truly indebted to you,” said Porter.
The museum contains a number of exhibits, including the Chittick Room (featuring a marine heritage display), Patterson Room (featuring information on William Hall VC, the Royal Canadian Legion and a military collection), Bishop Room (featuring a Glooscap First Nation display), R.A. Jodrey Room (featuring the history of the Jodrey family), The Vault (featuring ‘Canada’s Most Daring Antique Thief’) and the committee room (featuring town photos and scrapbooks).
“A community that does not know, protect, and honour its history is the poorer for it. That thought lies behind the work and donations of money and artifacts but the many people who have made this heritage centre a reality,” said Bishop.
The historical society is still welcoming and encouraging donations.
“Further donations to strengthen the heritage centre endowment fund are both needed and welcomed. Also, we hope that the existence of this wonderful facility will encourage more donations of artifacts relevant to the history of our community,” he said.
For more information, or to donate, email hhsheritage@gmail. com. To view more photos from the grand opening celebration, visit www.hantsjournal.ca.