So much history, so little cash: task force says some museums may have to go

Saying Nova Scotia museums are in crisis, a task force on heritage wants the provincial government to consider investing in fewer museums.

"We're trying to do too much with too few resources," said Maureen Reid, chair of the provincially appointed group.

In its final report, released Thursday, the Heritage Strategy Task Force says the Nova Scotia government isn't giving museums enough money.

Twenty-sevensites make up theNova Scotia Museum. This includes centres that are open year-round such as the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, and some such as Perkins House Museum in Liverpool that are open only in the summer.

The task forcewants the province to determine which museums should continue to be funded directly and which should be run as regional or community facilities.

Reid admits some may simply close as a result of this restructuring.

"It's hard to say until that work is done, but that is definitely one of the possibilities," she said.

But Bill Greenlaw, an official with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage,is shying away from any talk of shutting down museums.

"We're not ready to close any museums," he said, but addedthat department officials are ready to look at the reportin "a strategic, objective way."

Greenlaw said the department will need time to digest the recommendations put forward by the task force.

As for any extra funding, heritage groups will likely have to wait until the spring budget to see if the governing Progressive Conservatives are ready to give more.