The funding comes through the Canadian Heritage’s 1812 Commemoration Fund, which is aimed at community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.
The expansion at the museum is still in the early stages of design, however plans are for an interactive exhibit, with a scale replica of part of the privateering ship The Packet. The replica will be large enough for people to walk through.
“This is a fantastic move forward for the Queens County Museum,” said George Mitchell, Chairman, Queens County Museum. “Our objective has been to recognize the achievement of one of the most successful privateers, Captain Joseph Barss, and his privateer vessel, the Liverpool Packet. This funding approval leads the way to seeing this dream come to fruition."
The museum will be putting in proposals to find the rest of the funding for the project, estimated to cost around $300,000. Museum staff hope to have it up and running by next fall or early 2014.
