The Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, yesterday announced the launch of the province's heritage recognition program, the Prince Edward Island Register of Heritage Places. Nineteen properties from across the Island have been approved for the Register to date, ranging from the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governor to the building that once housed Prince Edward Island's first French-language newspaper.
The Minister made the announcement near one of the properties which has been placed on the Register – the historic St. Simon and St. Jude Church in Tignish. "In every community in this province, there are places that stand as symbols of our rich and varied history and tell us stories of who we are," said Minister Shea. "It is my hope that the Register of Heritage Places will contribute to these stories being told."
The goal of the Register of Heritage Places is to recognize places with outstanding importance because of their architecture, their age or their association with people and events of historic significance. The program provides for public recognition and identification and will both recognize and encourage public stewardship of the province's architectural heritage. Entry on the register is accompanied by a certificate presented to the owner of the heritage place.
"Any site or structure thought to be important to the history and culture of Prince Edward Island is eligible to be considered for the Register of Heritage Places," said Community and Cultural Affairs Heritage Coordinator, John Boylan. "Anyone who can supply information concerning the history of a given place is welcome to make an application to the Register."
Applications for the Register of Heritage Places are assessed by a ministerial advisory board known as the Heritage Places Advisory Board. Using such criterion as age, architectural style and historical associations, the advisory board makes a recommendation to the Minister concerning the appropriate level of recognition.
Establishment of the Register is part of the implementation of the Heritage Places Protection Act. The Act also provides for designation of places of extreme significance to the province. Designation includes ongoing protection under the provisions of the legislation.
Further information concerning the Register is available from the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.