Posing for a photo amidst the scaffolding outside Lordly House is (from left to right): Carol Nauss, Chair of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society, Allen Webber, Warden for the Municipality of the District of Chester, Honourable Fred Dickson, Senator in the Senate, and Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore - St. Margaret's.

Chester (NS) – The Government of Canada is investing over $188,000 in the Lordly House on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, to support the heritage facility’s final phase of renovations.

“Our Government is pleased to invest in the restoration of Lordly House, an exceptional heritage treasure. The house is being restored to museum standards and developed  for educational and community use,” said Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Lordly House itself is a rare example of virtually unchanged, 200 year old Georgian architecture. It is a significant heritage preservation undertaking for the community.”

This project supports the final phase of renovations to the Lordly House.  The Chester Municipal Heritage Society is adapting the historic home to serve as a community museum.  The renovations are part of a larger development project being coordinated by the Heritage Society. In addition, the federal funding will help the Heritage Society develop the Lordly House as a centre for the study of municipal architecture and decorative arts.

In addition to support from the Government of Canada, the Lordly House project is also receiving $20,000 in assistance from the Municipality of the District of Chester, and several in-kind donations from community partners.

“The Lordly House project will deepen relationships within the community and provide important opportunities for people of all ages, economic and cultural backgrounds, and diverse interests”, said Allen Webber, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Chester. “It will link recreation, learning, heritage and contemporary culture within the context of programming, exhibitions and an on-line presence”.

“During the past 30 years, the Society has purchased and preserved several important heritage buildings and properties”, said Carol Nauss, Chair of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society.  “The economic impact of a restored Lordly House will be ongoing through employment and support to local artisans.”