WILLIAM J. ROUÉ READING ROOM OPENS

LUNENBURG, N.S. (May 3, 2002) - It was a day of celebration in Lunenburg as several hundred people gathered for the Grand Opening of the William J. Roué Reading Room and the re-opening of the Lunenburg Library - the building in which the Roué Reading Room is housed.

Several dignitaries and special guests were in attendance including representatives of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments. Offering congratulatory remarks were:
- The Honourable Senator Wilfred P. Moore
- The Honourable Michael Baker (Nova Scotia Minister of Justice, MLA for Lunenburg)
- The Honourable Laurence Mawhinney (Mayor of Lunenburg)

The celebration was opened by the Lunenburg Academy Choir singing O'Canada and then The Ballad Of The Bluenose. Lunenburg Town Crier Bill Cluett offered a proclamation for all to hear.

Clem Hiltz, a crewmember of the original Bluenose was also in attendance.

Joan Roué, great-granddaughter of William J. Roué offered public thanks for the living tribute to W.J. Roué as well as presenting a copy of the just-released second edition of her book A Spirit Deep Within to the library. A Spirit Deep Within is a biography of William J. Roué.

The William J. Roué Reading Room offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where young and old can enjoy a distinguished collection of books on the seafaring and shipbuilding history of the Maritimes.

W.J. Roué artifacts on display include copies of original drawings, mathematical calculations and W.J. Roué's personal adding machine. An electronic database of his design portfolio will be added to the Libraries computer network in the near future.

The room is decorated with a nautical theme featuring a blue couch and wing chairs, oak tables and ship-type cradle where the drawings are displayed. Two distinguished portraits of W.J. Roué and a small model of Bluenose also adorn the Room.

The William J. Roué Reading Room is open the same hours as the Lunenburg Library. Call (902) 634-8008 for more information.