Newsletter
In our WINTER 2007 issue you'll find…
-> Season’s Greetings
-> Heritage Values
-> Budgeting for the New Year
Season’s Greetings
The staff of the Municipal Heritage Partnership Program (MHPP) would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
2006 was a successful year for MHPP. Starting with the official Ministerial Launch in June, staff of Heritage Resource Management from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture also went to Athabasca for two days and held an internal launch information session.
As part of MHPP’s Awareness Campaign in August, staff contacted and distributed information folders to the Mayors and Reeves of each of Alberta’s 356 municipalities. Also that month, one of MHPP’s banners was displayed prominently for two weeks outside the Minister's office at the Legislative Building.
Continuing into September, each MLA of the Alberta Government was sent a letter from the Minister and an information package regarding the program. Scott Barrett and Matthew Francis then set out for two weeks across Alberta to promote MHPP in a series of Road Shows which garnered plenty of positive media attention.
The first edition of RETROactive was distributed in October, which was also a month for conferences. Staff from the MHPP attended the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Heritage Canada, Alberta Development Officers Association and Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners Annual Conferences. Members of the staff also attended the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties Convention in November.
January brings the winter edition of RETROactive to the foreground, as the staff of MHPP makes plans for the new year. We look forward to continuing to give presentations to Council and staff interested in learning more about the Municipal Heritage Partnership Program and continuing work with those municipalities already engaged in planning their own heritage conservation programs. If you have any inquiries regarding MHPP, please feel free to contact one of our staff.
Heritage Values
Heritage isn’t just about old things; it is about retaining the historic values that are important to our communities. Heritage values are the aesthetic, historic, scientific, cultural, social or spiritual qualities that make a place important or significant for past, present or future generations. The heritage value of a historic place is embodied in its character-defining elements. Conserving heritage is not about just preserving historic material; it is about saving something that expresses the values and meanings of a community.
Each community is different. An aspect that might be important to one of Alberta’s towns or cities might not be to a rural outpost. One of us may see the aesthetic beauty in the architecture of a historic museum where another may see the learning potential it holds; and, so many historic places can represent numerous types of heritage values. As an individual contributes their own values to a community, it is ultimately the community that determines what is important to conserve. Heritage values may change over time as a deeper understanding of our history develops and the needs and context of our community changes. This is why it is necessary for many different levels of government to be involved in the designation of historic places - so that each community has their say in answering the question: "why is this place important?"
Heritage values are often embodied in the materials that make up an historic place - elements such as the location, use or cultural associations of a site, amongst others. The measure of integrity determines an historic place’s ability to convey its heritage value. For instance, if one of Alberta’s historic grain elevators has been moved from its original location, the relationship between the elevator and the historical associations of it being the landmark in a small town is destroyed. In order to conserve the associated values, these elements must be retained. An historic place may be the oldest of its kind, or a rare surviving example. It may be a good illustration of a certain activity or phase in the work of a certain individual. The elements that play a role in determining why a community wants to conserve a historic place are what are important to keep.
Historic places are historical records that express the identity and experiences of a community. Our values are the reasons for interpreting and conserving our heritage, because they are irreplaceable, precious and enrich our lives. Heritage values reflect the diversity of different communities and should be conserved for present and future generations so that they may understand what is important to us.
The Municipal Heritage Partnership Program (MHPP) helps municipalities become stewards of their own local heritage. By becoming involved, the heritage values of your community can be protected. MHPP is part of a pan-Canadian heritage program, the Historic Places Initiative that has been developed to conserve historic places of Canada. For more information on heritage values and evaluating resources, please visit: www.mhpp.ab.ca/resources.html or contact one of our staff.
Budgeting for the New Year
The Municipal Heritage Partnership Program’s fiscal year ends March 31, 2007. Now is the time for municipalities to sit down and look at their budget to find money that can be used to start their own heritage conservation program. Local governments can contribute anything from as low as $1,000 toward a 50/50 cost-sharing contract with MHPP.
There are ways for municipalities to lessen their financial commitment to the program. For instance, in-kind contributions can be used in lieu of cash up to a maximum of 25% of the total project cost. The most common type of in-kind contribution is volunteer time. Other types include donated professional services, office space, use of existing telephone/fax/computer/internet facilities and donated materials and supplies. Staff time can be used as an in-kind contribution, but because staff hours are a real out-of-pocket expense for municipalities they will be accepted as cash contributions at a real auditable hourly or daily rate.
The following is a table of what MHPP can contribute to various jurisdictions when entering into a cost-shared contract for the planning of a conservation program:
|
|
County / MD |
City |
Town |
Village |
|
Survey |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Inventory |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Management Plan |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
$7,500 |
MHPP does not use a standardized application form. Applications are made to the program in the form of a proposal for funding. Proposals should include any information that is considered salient to the application. At minimum a proposal should include: an introduction, contact information, objective(s), community benefit, strategy, resources available, budget and letters of support. Proposals should be no more than 5-8 pages plus any attachments and will be accepted by standard mail, e-mail (PDF and Word files only) and fax. All proposals, or questions regarding application to the program, should be directed to Scott Barrett, Program Coordinator (780) 431-2334.