Management Plan
What’s a management plan?
A management plan is forward-looking document that provides a vision for the national historic site at its future best and the strategies for getting there.
They are more than a document. They are a part of every Canadian’s legacy and Parks Canada’s commitment to protect, manage and plan for the future of Canada’s special heritage areas.
2011 Management Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site of Canada (NHSC) is one of more than 2,000 places, people and events commemorated by the Government of Canada. Located near Abernethy, Saskatchewan, Motherwell Homestead NHSC tells the story of Western Canada’s settlement, Canada’s developing agricultural economy and its governance as seen through William Richard Motherwell’s contributions to provincial and federal politics. Often described as a prairie oasis, Motherwell Homestead stands out from the surrounding fields: a grand stone house, a commanding barn, flourishing gardens and rows of trees.
During the operating season the site is a dynamic place to explore, as it is home to a number of horses, pigs, chickens, sheep and cows - all of which bring the farmstead to life. Living history offers visitors an opportunity to interact with a ‘working’ period farm. In addition to the guided tours, activities and demonstrations, there are well developed school and summer special events programs.
New activities, programs and ideas are outlined in this management plan; the primary reference document for decisionmaking and accountability for the site. Shaped through community, partner, stakeholder and public involvement, this plan builds on the foundation of previous plans, and the strengths and challenges presented in the 2009 State of the Site Report.
Integrating the three elements of Parks Canada’s mandate, the protection of heritage resources, the facilitation of visitor experiences and the provision of public outreach education, this management plan includes a new site vision, three key strategies and an area management approach:
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Key Strategy #1: The Home-grown Experience aims to connect with the hearts and minds of Canadians through a refreshed program offer which responds to the needs and expectations of visitors. In addition, this strategy creates new and improved outreach education opportunitiesand products for people who may not visit the site.
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Key Strategy #2: By Growing Together the site intends to nurture current and new relationships to enhance promotions and programs.
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Key Strategy #3: Heritage Husbandry is integral to the health of Motherwell Homestead NHSC; this strategy aims to improve the state of the site.
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Area Management Approach: Establishing relevance in the lives of Canadians through the story and sensory experience of food, the site will literally bring people From Field to Fork. This approach will transform the summer kitchen in the stone house to a bustle of activity, preparing and sharing food grown and raised on the farm.
The key strategies include targets that will be used to measure and report on progress in achieving the plan’s objectives and vision. This plan and its implementation will be formally reviewed five years after its tabling to ensure that it remains relevant and effective for the management of Motherwell Homestead NHSC.
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