CELEBRATING HERITAGE WEEK IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed February 15-21 as Heritage Week in Saskatchewan.

"Heritage Week is an opportunity to celebrate Saskatchewan's rich history and heritage," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Our heritage is what we value from the past and what we preserve for future generations. It reflects our collective history, defines the places where we live and work and helps give our communities their unique identity."

Saskatchewan communities and cultural organizations are encouraged to celebrate Heritage Week by promoting their local museum or historic site, organizing a heritage walking tour or hosting a community cultural celebration. Residents should contact their local heritage association or historical society to find out what is going on in their communities.

The Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport is helping to celebrate Heritage Week by hosting a public lecture. Neil Richardson, a Calgary based heritage property developer, will discuss how developers, heritage advocates and the community have a mutual interest in conserving and rehabilitating heritage buildings. The Annual Heritage Week Public Lecture will take place at 7 p.m. on February 18, 2010, in Saskatoon at the Radisson Hotel's Da Vinci Ballroom.

"The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation is pleased to participate in the official recognition of Heritage Week in Saskatchewan," Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation Chairperson Ingrid Cazakoff said. "It affords an opportunity, annually, to recognize aspects of our unique and diverse heritage legacy as a province and as a nation."

The ministry is also pleased to announce the designation of the provinces 50th Provincial Heritage Property - the Humboldt Post Office. Built in 1911-12, the Humboldt Post Office is an excellent example of Romanesque Revival style post offices built by the federal government to serve medium-sized communities across the country. The building served as the post office for the City of Humboldt for more than 60 years and today continues to serve an important function in the life of the community as a museum, art gallery and venue for community meetings and cultural events.

To learn about Heritage Week in Saskatchewan and to search the Saskatchewan Register of Heritage Property, visit the Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport website at www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/heritage.

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For more information, contact:

Art Jones
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: janice.wilby@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-550-5927