OMA MEDIA RELEASE: A Virtual Museum of Franco-Ontarian Heritage

By November 5, 2015 Média No Comments

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Thursday, November 5, 2015 – The Interim Deputy Minister responsible for Francophone Affaires, Kelly Burke, announced this morning the launch of the Virtual Museum of Franco-Ontarian Heritage. The announcement was made at the opening of the 44th annual Ontario Museum Association (OMA) conference at the Caesars Windsor Hotel.

The bilingual Virtual Museum reflects the museum sector’s involvement in commemorating 400 years of French presence in Ontario. Through objects, collections and archival documents, it highlights the tremendous Francophone contribution to Ontario’s economy, politics, culture and society.

In just one click, visitors are transported from Hearst to Ottawa, Windsor to Thunder Bay, to discover heroes, builders and pioneers who have made their mark over the past four centuries. The project offers a behind-the-scenes tour of museums and presents itself as a valuable resource for history buffs, parents and teachers.

The project will continue with consultations with experts from Ontario’s museum, heritage and academic institutions, in order to enhance its content as well as provide Ontarians the opportunity to voice what they want to see in their museums.

Quotes :

“As the celebrations surrounding the 400th anniversary of French presence in Ontario draw to a close, I am thrilled to see the Virtual Museum take shape. This platform, an important legacy that allows for discovering Francophone Ontario’s rich history, will certainly be a great educational tool for future generations.”

– Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
“The Virtual Museum of Franco-Ontarian Heritage has given us the unique opportunity to mobilize museums and allow our heritage the presence it deserves. Through the project, we’ve discovered a great deal of engaging and exceptional historic figures, and we realize once more the key role museums have in preserving our history, our legacy.”

– Marie G Lalonde, Executive Director of the Ontario Museum Association
About the Ontario Museum Association:

The Ontario Museum Association is a not-for-profit member organization that builds capacity among institutions and individuals active in Ontario’s museum sector. Over the past year, ten million visitors to Ontario’s 600 community museums experienced programs and exhibitions which tell our collective story and contribute to our identity and sense of place.