History still locked in leaky building

Despite previous promises, the collection of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Museum remains at risk, stored in a leaky old bus terminal with inadequate climate controls.

The building on the outskirts of Charlottetown is jammed full of pieces of P.E.I. history. Linda Berko, curator of the artifactory, as it is known, says the museum foundation has been trying to relocate for more than a decade.

Two years ago, there was hope the collection could be moved to a new facility in Orwell, but funding for that project fell through.

• FROM MARCH 17, 2004: Cuts place artifacts in danger

Berko says the collection deserves better protection.

"It tells the story of the people of the Island and that's why every artifact has been collected, to tell that story," she says.

"That's why it's important to preserve."

The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation board says the time has come for a better place, and worries valuable items will be damaged.

The provincial goverment recently toured the building, but Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Elmer MacFadyen says nothing will change this year.

"With the state of finances of the province, we don't have the money," says MacFadyen.

The province says it can't build a new building but plans to look for a government building in better shape. Moving to a better, existing building has been discussed before, but the museum board is still waiting.