Friday, March 1, 2013

Peace River's Built Heritage


Peace River's Main Street, 1916
The Town of Peace River Council recently passed a Municipal Heritage Management Policy! An established application process is now in place for property owners who want to protect their building through Municipal heritage designation. This document demonstrates Council’s commitment to preserving the Town’s built heritage. Our built heritage includes buildings and landscapes within the town limits.

The people behind this Heritage Policy are the Museum staff and the Heritage Places Committee which is comprised of six community members who have dedicated time and energy to identify and research historically significant places over the past three years.  The committee consists of Karen Rumball, Audrey Randall, Norm Brownlee, John Clarke, Judy Bowcott, Ken Herlinveaux, Beth Wilkins, Megan Purcell and Laura Gloor.  It was formed in 2010, with a matching grant from the Municipal Heritage Partnership Program with Alberta Historic Sites (www.mhpp.ab.ca)  and since has developed promotional material for prospective property owners, visited sites, photographed places, conducted research and interviews and promoted this community-based project at Open Houses, Trade Shows, and to Town Council and organizations. With the permission of their owners, ten places were studied in 2011 for their heritage value and ten more will be selected in 2013. The 2011 list can be found on our website www.peacerivermuseum.com

This year the Committee will be offering historic walks about the town to showcase some of this built heritage and with the help of heritage consultants at Donald Luxton & Associates will consult with the community through open houses and a speaking series about practical ideas of caring for your vintage home.  The first of the series will be April 3rd, 7pm.

If you have suggestions for the Committee to consider, your input will be welcomed! You can post your idea here on our blog or on our online Survey .  If you have any questions, please feel free contact one of the committee members or the Museum (780-624-4261 or museum@peaceriver.net).

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