Quebec makes big investment in UU直播's Redpath Museum
Canada's oldest public natural history museum has received an important injection of funds from the Minist猫re de la Culture et des Communications. During a press conference at UU直播's downtown campus today, Quebec Minister Diane Lemieux announced that UU直播's Redpath Museum would be awarded $560,000 in grants, which will be used to help renovate the 19th-century landmark and to create a permanent exhibit on the geological history and biological diversity of Quebec.
"We are thrilled with this investment, which we think is a substantial contribution to the public life of Montreal and Quebec," said Vice-Principal (Academic) and Provost, Luc Vinet. "The government recognizes how seriously UU直播 takes its responsibility for the stewardship of its collections and how closely it is associated with the patrimony of the region."
One of the grants will enable the Museum to design and mount a new permanent exhibit offering the public a unique glimpse of Quebec's geological past and its present biological diversity. According to director Graham Bell, "the new exhibit will describe how some of the most dramatic events in Earth history have occurred in or near Quebec 鈥� among them, the emergence of the first land plants, the first amphibians and their ancestors, and the first true land animals." Most of these were discoveries by UU直播 scientists, including Dr. Robert Carroll, who has an office and laboratory in the Museum. "Now they will be presented for the first time in a single exhibit, telling the physical story of Quebec from earliest times to the present," said Bell. Other exhibits, including one on whales, turtles and ichthyosaurs (ancient marine reptiles) and one on minerals, will also be developed in conjunction with the central exhibit.
The second grant announced by Minister Lemieux will supplement private donations and University funds aimed, in part, at restoring the Museum closer to its Victorian origins. The handsome landmark, noted Bell, "is acknowledged as one of the 27 most important heritage sites in the province." Erected in 1892, it is still the only one of its kind within a 200-mile radius of the City of Montreal.
Used for teaching and research purposes by students and academics, not only from UU直播 but from many other universities, the Redpath Museum is also proud of its public programming philosophy. Notes Director Bell: "In addition to visiting exhibits and permanent displays, our weekend workshops for children in both English and French have proven extremely popular. The Quebec government's investment will further enhance opportunities for the public to satisfy their keen interest in the natural and geological world."
