SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A Culture Summerside project has been shortlisted this year for the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming.
The project, "1919: PEI Soldiers Return from The Great War," is one of 25 projects from across Canada in the final judging.
“It is an honour to make the shortlist when one reads the calibre of the projects in the running. In a sense this is an award,” said Jean MacKay, project coordinator.
It is the only project out of the Maritimes to make the shortlist.
This is the second time Culture Summerside has made the shortlist. It was nominated in 2015 for marking the 150th anniversary of the Summerside Journal Pioneer Newspaper.
The Governor General’s History Award brings attention to exceptional work in the field of Canadian community programming. The award will honour two recipients, one French and one English, for innovation in community programming.
Organizations receive a cash prize of $2,500 and a trip for two to Ottawa to receive the award.
The project, "1919: PEI Soldiers Return from The Great War", examined the environment of P.E.I. in 1919, and what it was like awaiting the returning soldiers and nursing sisters from the front.
Nearly every small community in the province had a welcome home party.
MacKay says the booklet is unique in that it documents the community rather than war.
The project was made up of lectures, writing workshops, a public music and drama event, radio vignette, and the compiling of a booklet, "From War to Peace." A number of community volunteers researched Island papers for the material, and community writers created the works of fiction.
The booklet is considered the legacy piece of the project and will soon be found in Island schools.
Copies are available to the public, free of charge, by dropping by the MacNaught History Centre and Archives, located at 75 Spring St.
For a full list of the shortlist projects visit, https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/awards/2019-shortlist-for-the-governor-general-s-history-award-for-excellence-in-community-programming
