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This article first appeared in the March 1, 2006 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Historical Society celebrates a successful year at AGM
With help from local municipalities, residents finally get to see their history up close, according to Gatineau Valley Historical Society President Marc Cockburn.
"Our main success this year has been in strengthening or relationships with the local municipalities in which our activities are mainly based." said Cockburn in his Feb. 20 annual general meeting speech. "The society has been fortunate this year in gaining important allies to help us in our mission of bringing awareness to the heritage af the Gatineau Valley."
One highlight for the society has been La Peche spending nearly $50,000 to save and move Fairbairn House over to Hendrick Park. William Fairbairn was one of the region's original settlers and built the original Wakefield Mill, said Cockburn, and his house will be transformed into a bilingual museum focusing on the history af the Valley. For the project, Mayor Robert Bussiere and former Councilor William Gonzalez received awards of honor from the society and La Peche's Secretary-Treasurer Marcel Marchildon was given a letter of commendation.
Cockburn also appreciates the space for GVHS archives in the new Chelsea library - so much so that the executive has offered $5,000 to the initiative. In addition to giving the society secure space, it's good for Chelsea's historical awareness.
"In terms of helping (the municipality) develop their heritage program, having us so close is the main thing," said Cockburn.
A new cultural policy has helped development of the Chelsea heritage program move smoothly over the last year, he said. Mayor Jean Perras was given an award of honour and Recreation Director Bruce Devine received a letter of commendation for his work on this policy. Chelsea staffers Pascal Barrette and Charles Cardinal also got commendations for their support in the town's 130th anniversary celebrations.
The cultural policy committee will be working to consolidate the historic sites inventory, a step Cockburn says will help the municipaiity protect its history and use it to educate residents about the land and buildings it has inherited.