The experiences of Bruce County war veterans will be preserved
for years due to a recent government funding grant to digitize its
military collection.
The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is
set to receive $20,300 from the Department of Canadian Heritage
for the e-archiving project, with the full support of the Departments Museum Assistance Program.
David Sharron, the museum's archivist, credits local MP Larry
Miller for being instrumental in acquiring the grant.
"He was very supportive and is the one that brought this grant
forward to Beverley Oda, (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status
of Women)," Sharron said. "Without their work this money wouldn't
have come through."
Sharron said that in addition to digitizing their collection
they've also been conducting oral histories of local Second World
War veterans.
The oral history project was started by local videographer Kirk
Scott, who decided it would be a logical next step to have the
museum support the program, he said.
"The museum jumped onboard right away," said Sharron. "He did
five videos last year and it became a major part of our Remembrance
Day celebrations."
The response was so positive they asked for at least 14 more
this year depending on how much money could be raised, and that's
when the grant was applied for, he said.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is seeing an increase in
applications from museums seeking to digitize their collections,
according to Jaime Burke, acting manager of communications, Ontario
region.
"I believe it's because the more artifacts are handled the more
they break down, so this is a way to make them last longer," said
Burke. "This also makes it more accessible to Canadians across the
country."
Sharron said that the Bruce
County Library has a big interest in military history as well,
and that the records could soon be searchable in 22 library systems
throughout southwest Ontario.
"We can add the images to it so it's not just a catalogue, you
can actually see the document online," he said. "In addition to
improving preservation this project could also impact history
education as the videos of the war veterans have made an impression
on local students who have viewed them."
In addition to the videos, Sharron said the items they are
digitizing include enlistment cards and soldier's letters.
He estimated that the Web collections portal is to be live by
the end of this summer.
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