The Museum of Industry and Doug Berrigan awarded the 2023 Award for Excellence in Museum Practices

The Association of Nova Scotia Museums is excited to present the Awards for Excellence in Museum Practices program for the eleventh consecutive year.

The Association accepts nominations in two awards categories—Individual Contribution, and Programming by an Organization. The association was pleased to receive nominations for both categories this year, and to be able to announce a winner in each.
Over the past year, the dedicated work of the Association’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee members — Chair Matthew Cook and members Lisa Wolfe, Debra McNabb, Nicole Dalrymple, and Samantha Brannen — along with the assistance of Executive Director Maggie MacIntyre, has made this year’s awards presentations possible.

The Award of Excellence in Museum Practices, Programming by an Organization recognizes an outstanding museum project within the past year. The Association of Nova Scotia Museums is pleased to present this award to the Museum of Industry for its exhibit, “Hockey: Whose Game Is It?”

The exhibit, “Hockey: Whose Game Is It?” viewed contributions to hockey and participation in the game through the lens of African Nova Scotians, Mi’kmaq, and women players. It told the story of hockey’s early origins in Nova Scotia, and our ongoing relationship with the sport. This story included the emergence of entrepreneurs and industries producing hockey equipment and Mi’kmaw artisans who were prominent as makers of hand-carved hockey sticks sold across Canada. Custom cases were crafted to look like rink boards and the exhibit told stories of 22 individuals from historically marginalized populations on 8 giant hockey cards.

The Award of Excellence in Museum Practices, Individual Contribution acknowledges remarkable contributions by a museum professional (volunteer or paid) to a better knowledge of Nova Scotia’s human or natural history. The Association of Nova Scotia Museums is pleased to present this award to Doug Berrigan.

Doug has been president of the LaHave Island Marine Museum for 24 years. The following is an excerpt from Doug’s nomination: “Doug’s commitment to the community is legendary. To say he goes above and beyond to engage island residents is an understatement. Over the 12 months between June 2022 and June 2023, Doug logged more than 700 volunteer hours.” Some of this volunteer time includes engaging residents and visitors in unique ways to connect them to the museum, such as initiating weekly summer coffee houses and becoming known as “the Tim Hortons of the Islands,” and organizing ice creams socials where people can help grind their own ice cream.

Doug’s background in banking has benefitted the museum with his efficacy in applying for grants, marketing collaborations, administrative document updates, and sound financial management. He organizes maintenance and gets his own hands dirty maintaining the site as well. His efforts are an inspiration to his colleagues.

Congratulations to both the Museum of Industry and Doug Berrigan on their worthy receipt of these awards!