After years of planning, fundraising, re-location, and construction, the Fort Frances Museum has finally opened its doors to the public once again.
Residents gathered outside the Museum here last Thursday afternoon in celebration of the tourism site.
Museum curator Pam Hawley said she was excited about the reaction the ceremoines recieved from the town.
“I was great to see a lot of people come out and I think most were impressed with what they saw,” Hawley said.
At the ceremnoies, Hawley and several town dignitaries addressed the droves of people that showed up for the re-grand opening.
Mayor Roy Avis expressd his excitment about the museum’s completion and that this project will help to preserve and showcase some of Fort Frances’ heritage.
“This is a beautiful new tourism destination that we are be very proud of,” said Mayor Avis. “Its exhibits show off some of Fort Frances’ history and provide great teachings for our children.”
The grand re-opening was right on target with the proposed June completion date and just in time for the busy tourism season.
“I’m really happy we are able to be open during the tourism season because it’s our busiest time of the year,” Hawley commented. “It’s important to be able to share the history of the area with visitors,” she added.
The ceremony began with the native language students from St. Francis and St. Michael’s schools singing, “O Canada” in Ojibwe accompanied by Brian Smith.
As well, Dr. Bruce Lidkea played the bagpipes.
Others who spoke about the museum renovations included Hawley, Christine Denby, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, John Rafferty, representing local MPP Howard Hampton, Tanis Drysdale, on behalf of Ken Boshkoff local MP, and Lisa Moncrief, Ministry of Culture.
“This project and others make Fort Frances a great community to live in, work in, and visit,” said Denby, “Congratulations to everyone involved and to the community.”
Letters of accnknowledgements were read on behalf of some of the major contributors. Tony Clement, MP Fed Nor Minister–$300,000, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation–1 million, and Canadian Dept. of Heritage–$175,000.
Other local buisness who also contributed to the $900,000 renovation project were thanked during the ceremony.
After the ceremony concluded, the public was invited to tour the new exhibits and join the museum staff for refreshments.
People chatted and gazed at the exhibits on display. A constant buzz of excitement about just how great the building look could be heard, as the crowds moved through.
“It’s a great addition to the town of Fort Frances,” stated economic development officer with the Rainy River Future development Geoff Gilon. “On behalf of the board of directors we are very happy to be involved with the project and hope the community enjoys it,” he added.
The main floor of the revamped museum will be used for travelling exhibits, art shows, administrative purposes, and other programming.
At present, the traveling Canadian loon exhibit is on display here until September.
The museum’s permanent exhibits are on the second floor while the basement is for storage.
Local artists are also encouraged to lend their art to the museum for display.
Although, the exhibits are now open to the public many changes will be happening in the coming months.
The museum crew will be busy moving the rest of the collection back into the building. They are also waiting for the new display cases and panels to arrive.
The re-opening of the museum marks the completion of Phase One of the two-phase heritage tourism project here.
The second phase of the development project will get under way this summer around the museum grounds.
The details of Phase II which will be complete this summer include:
• development of the courtyard in front of the museum, including a wildflower garden, seating areas, a large seal of the Town of Fort Frances sandblasted in concrete, donor recognition walls, and an advertising kiosk, where tourists can stop and check out what community events are going on (even if they arrive after the museum’s closed);
• development of the area to the south side of the museum, which will be a second entrance to the building (this will include landscaping and a seating area);
• a mural along the pathway between the museum and Nirvana;
• new street signs (possibly featuring Lady Frances Simpson on them, just as the La Verendrye Parkway signs depict that same explorer on them);
• decorative banners and light standards;
As for the moving of the Hallett and the Fire Lookout Tower to the riverfront; and the instalation of interpretative kiosks along Front Street, explaining the history of historical forts and the fur trade, they will be put on hold until spring 2008.
In fact, the major reason for the re-location of the the Hallet and Fire Lookout Tower is because the Town of Fort Frances’ land lease agreement runs out in 2009 and their is no garentee for a new land use renewal.
“We cannot make an investment in those properties there[Pither’s Point]–so we have decided to move them to the river front property and and continue developing it,” Hawley said.
The renovations were completed by Ed Kaun & Sons. Work began last July and was basically completed by January, which included everything from new flooring and walls to new plumbing and fixtures.
“I’m really happy with how everything came together because the building was falling into quite disrepair–it was becoming a struggle,” Hawley commented.
“It’s great to be able to work in a nice place,” she added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
