Published Apr 26, 2025 • Last updated 31 minutes ago • 3 minute readThe Town of Three Rivers will provide the Garden of the Gulf Museum and Artifactory with two grants, one of $4,200 and another of $10,800 to support a range of upgrades and projects. Garden of the Gulf Museum and ArtifactoryThe Garden of the Gulf Museum and Artifactory is asking the Town of Three Rivers for increased operational funding and a more active role in community planning to strengthen its role as a cultural and economic driver in the region.During a recent special council meeting, Kira Higgins, the museum’s recording secretary, presented the organization’s strategic plan and outlined its goals for growth, visibility and sustainability. Higgins emphasized that the museum is not just a historic site but a key player in heritage tourism, community engagement and economic development.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We need your support, not just as a historic site, but as an active and cultural and economic driver in Three Rivers,” Higgins told council. “With your continued investment, we can turn the museum into a true cultural hub, one that preserves the past while actively shaping the future of Three Rivers.”Higgins said the museum recently completed a strategic planning process that included eight interactive sessions and a public open house that attracted more than 200 attendees. The process led to a refined mission and vision focused on expanding the museum’s reach beyond Montague into the broader Three Rivers region.FundingTo address these challenges, the museum is seeking funding from multiple sources, including federal and provincial programs such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canadian Heritage and Innovation P.E.I. However, Higgins said that the town’s support remains crucial.Article contentThe museum is requesting increased operational funding from the town to help maintain high standards in exhibitions, programming and collections. It is also asking to be considered a partner in community planning initiatives to ensure its role in heritage tourism is recognized as an asset rather than an expense.The museum is developing a sponsorship program inspired by Three Rivers shipbuilding history and exploring new revenue streams through admissions, retail sales, special events and donations.“We have big dreams for this little museum. The museum is a terrific asset to this community. It is a gathering place, a repository for treasured historical objects, a place for stories and memories and pieces of years gone by” she said.Article content“What we want to do requires commitment, and what we’re asking for you to do is to keep us on your mind. We want to contribute to the vitality of this community, and we need your help to fully realize our vision. We need your support, not just as a historic site, but as an active and cultural and economic driver in Three Rivers.”Higgins closed the presentation with a reminder of the museum’s long-standing presence in the community and its potential for future impact.“For 137 years, this building has watched over the river, over the town, over the waterfront, over the railway and over us. Let’s return the favour with an active commitment to the future of this museum.”Read More Montague searching for ways to ensure healthy future for province’s oldest museum Unwelcome visitors to museum on P.E.I. Article contentGrantsThree Rivers CAO John Jamieson told The Guardian that the town will provide the museum with a grant of $4,200 and another for $10,800 to support a range of upgrades and projects.The $4,200 grant will cover a new freezer to preserve artifacts, packing materials for safe storage and new signage to improve the museum’s visibility. Other initiatives may draw from the larger $10,800 grant.“They’re looking for a heat pump on the third-floor museum, and there may be some government funding at that, so we’ll still work with them on that after April,” he said.“They’re also looking at long term project for solar panels, and we’ll look at that at some point. We’re providing them with funding for a new computer setup, and they’re looking for handouts, rack cards, walking tour cards. And we’re also looking at helping them with the services of an engineer to assess the climate control system.”He said funding for the museum started April 1 and it will be up to the museum to implement the provisions of the funding.Vivian Ulinwa is a reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on X @vivian_ulinwa.Article content
Garden of the Gulf Museum seeks increased support from Three Rivers council
