FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
David Rollinson
CVE
(902) 530 2478
droll@eastlink.ca
www. cvexp.org

CVE announces its first Canadian Historic Preservation Summer Volunteer Program

Historic Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and active sea port on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, will be the location for a one week historic preservation summer volunteer program running from June 18-22, 2007.

This hands-on program is being organized by Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions (CVE), who since 1990 have been organizing and leading winter time historic preservation programs in the Caribbean. Sensing a need for volunteer assistance for Canadian heritage sites, CVE are introducing their first summer program in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and are pleased to be associated with the Lunenburg Heritage Society for this unique program.

June’s program will focus on the Knaut-Rhuland House, in the historic district of Lunenburg. Built c1793 the house is one of the best preserved of its era in Canada, and has been owned by the Lunenburg Heritage Society since 2000. Purchase of the house was undertaken by the Society in order to ensure its preservation, and to house a museum showcasing the history of the town of Lunenburg.

The Knaut-Rhuland house was designated a National Historic Site of Canada by Parks Canada in 2002. The house, the home of local mariner Conrad Rhuland, and later John Creighton, Q.C., still features the hand-blown glass window panes and hardware it was likely built with, and much of the interior decoration remains intact. The house, which is open to the public during the summer months, has been undergoing restoration for several years, and the society has been able to make a number of improvements and repairs that have safeguarded the house for future generations, and enhanced its educational value.

Introducing this first summer program is an exciting event for CVE, who were encouraged to begin this new venture by winter program participants interested in combining historic preservation opportunities with a summer vacation.

Our work this week will make a significant contribution to the ongoing development of this new museum, and provide the Lunenburg Heritage Society with the tools necessary to move the house restoration forward. With our help artifacts within the house can be inventoried, and a detailed survey and photographic record of the building can be completed. Whilst volunteers with skills such as artifact cataloging and conservation, photography and computer literacy would be useful, everyone is welcome.

Whilst volunteers will spend as much time as possible helping the museum, it will not be all work, and during the week participants will be exposed to the natural and cultural history of Lunenburg and Nova Scotia, enjoy visits to some of the local attractions, and get to meet and interact with some really interesting people.

The program cost includes six nights accommodation (Sunday-Friday) at the Topmast Motel, located on a hill overlooking Lunenburg Harbour. Accommodation is in comfortable guest rooms with one or two beds, bathroom, fridge and television. Insurance and the services of the group leader are also included. Closing date for registration is June 4, 2007.

For more information on the Historic Preservation Week in Lunenburg, please contact program leader David Rollinson at droll@eastlink.ca or visit the CVE web site at www.cvexp.org

Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions (CVE), a non-profit agency, was started in 1990. Today, through our working vacations we are helping to record and preserve cultural heritage. Based in Corning, New York, CVE has operated its own preservation programs, and programs for Elderhostel, in a dozen countries.

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