The New Brunswick Museum is home to thousands of artifacts but the building itself is historic and in need of a makeover.
From fossils and animals to antique clothing and furniture, many artifacts are preserved at the museum in Saint John. But the museum’s collection is expanding and space has become limited.
“The museum board has developed a plan that would allow us to continue to use this facility…by creating an addition on the side of the collection centre for the environmentally-sensitive collection in the labs,” says Jane Fullerton, CEO of the New Brunswick Museum.
The building is almost 175 years old and engineers say the roof also needs to be restored. Fullerton says much of the museum’s sensitive material would have to be moved to the new addition while the roof is repaired.
“Between those three different steps, we would be able to ensure collections will be open to the public and staff and volunteers have a good place to work,” says Fullerton.
Fullerton says, if they can proceed with the expansion, more of New Brunswick’s past can be saved.
But before any work begins, staff say they want to get input from the public. Information sessions are scheduled to take place around the province so New Brunswickers can have their say before the expansion and repairs begin.
The price tag for the project is roughly $40 million.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
