Press Release

Ontario Museum Association Celebrates 9th Annual "May is Museum Month" Initiative; Special Focus on the "Greening" of our Museums.

Toronto, May 1, 2008 – The ONTARIO MUSEUM ASSOCIATION (OMA) is pleased to announce that May 2008 will see the 9th annual May is Museum Month event, which features special activities and exhibits open to the public at museums, historic sites and art galleries all across Ontario. The month-long campaign builds on International Museum Day, celebrated globally on Sunday May 18th, 2007, and this year provides an opportunity to showcase the many museums across Ontario with “green” activities, events and initiatives.

“May is Museum Month is an important awareness campaign which annually reminds the public of the incredible array of hands-on activities and workshops, lectures, concerts and free events taking place at museums across Ontario,” comments Marie Lalonde, Executive Director, OMA. “This year, we’re pleased to highlight our museums’ leadership role in social and environmental responsibility, as they find new ways to celebrate and promote the health of our planet, while still continuing to protect and advance the culture of their local communities.”

Museums and heritage sites are uniquely placed to provide valuable insight into our ancestors’ centuries-old “sustainable” energy sources, but some are moving beyond that to engage in land conservancy and re-naturalization or are taking steps to reduce the energy required for special lighting and climate-controlled conditions.

For example, the water-powered grist mill at Morningstar Mill near St Catherines is an excellent working example of an energy source that does not require fossil fuels. Todmorden Mills in Toronto uses its grounds to educate the public on the effects of industrialization and show the benefits of re-naturalization. Black Creek Pioneer Village has become the first museum in Ontario to be certified as an Eco-School, with special focus on waste minimization, energy conservation, and shade development. These are just a few examples; see the attached list for many Ontario sites active in environmentally friendly education, exhibits, events or other initiatives.

May is Museum Month brings public attention to Ontario’s 600-plus museums, historic sites and art galleries. These sites are a rich educational resource for a fascinating range of subjects, including agriculture, medicine, broadcasting, mining, sports, science – even cheese & shoes. Each site also tells the stories of the people who built and are building this province – heroes, inventors, First Nations leaders. They also celebrate and preserve our diverse cultural heritage, and help foster mutual understanding, cooperation and peace amongst the peoples of this province.

For ongoing updates about May is Museum Month activities and discounts, visit the website or call 1-800-ONTARIO.

The ONTARIO MUSEUM ASSOCIATION is a non-profit professional association of Ontario museums, historic sites and art galleries and its employees and volunteers, as well as companies and individuals serving the heritage industry. For 35 years, the Association has promoted museums and advanced the standards of professionalism for museum workers throughout Ontario.

For more information, please contact:

Marie G. Lalonde
Executive Director
ONTARIO MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
1-866-662-8672
mlalonde@museumsontario.com
www.museumsontario.com/mmweb/