EMO—The proposed concept drawing and floor plan for the new Rainy River District Women’s Institute Museum was unveiled in Emo last week and members of the group are pleased with the image.
“We’re really excited about it,” enthused president Ruth Brett. “I don’t think there was anyone who didn’t think it was a good plan.”
The drawings were available for the public to view last week at the W.I. booth at the fall fair in Emo. And Brett also presented the concept to Emo council during its regular meeting Aug. 21.
“It looks like the old grandstand,” she explained, noting the Kenora-based architect is a history buff.
“He didn’t want something that looked really modern, but something that would fit with the agricultural flavour of the community,” Brett added.
The museum, which has been under the auspices of the district W.I. since 1966, recently was moved from its location on Highway 11/71 in Emo to the three former OPP houses on Tyrell Street there.
Although just the first house was open for the tourist season this summer, the district W.I. plans to combine all three into the final plan to create one large building.
The concept also includes two added galleries, which would be built behind the second and third houses.
“It will give us a lot of space,” said Brett, adding they hope the museum, once completed, would become a gathering or social place in the community.
In the new plan, the first house will be designated as a tea house or meeting room, with kitchen facilities and washrooms. It is separated from the rest of the building with a large outdoor deck and will be available to rent for meetings or functions.
The proposed concept has the second and third houses marked as large galleries to display the museum’s artifacts and items.
A third gallery has been suggested for one section of the built-on addition while the rest of the area will house an office, staff room, and washrooms.
A large open area is suggested between the galleries to be used as a tourist information centre. It includes a fireplace and space for a “Great Tree” on the wall as a tribute to all those who donated to the museum project.
The plan also includes room for a freight elevator (which wouldn’t be purchased right away but perhaps in the future) while the basements of the three houses will be used for storage and a workshop.
A tower also is in the proposed drawing. Although Brett was unsure of its purpose, she noted the architect wants the museum to be easily identifiable from the highway.
“It’s really nice—beautiful,” Coun. Ken Fisher said at last week’s council meeting. “I was worried it was going to just look like three houses put together, but it doesn’t.”
With an idea for the museum in mind, members of the district W.I. now are looking at the hard work of fundraising for the project.
“We have been asking for support from business and municipalities, and we’re beginning to apply for government funding,” said Brett, noting local fundraising initiatives include plans for a dinner with entertainment, an old-time dance, a dinner theatre, and bake sales and raffles.
They also would like to allow families who have donated many of the museum’s items the chance to buy a room in memory of a loved one.
“And members of the Women’s Institute are going to ask for a donation to the museum instead of Christmas gifts this year,” Brett added.
In addition, the district W.I. is continuing its “Buy a Nail, Shingle or Board” campaign, which saw $2,830 raised just at the fall fair in Emo earlier this month.
“We are selling a nail for $10, a shingle for $25, and a board for $50,” Brett explained. “It’s really good to see the response of the campaign. People were quite prepared to donate.”
They hope residents of Rainy River District will continue to support the project. And they are open to any fundraising ideas people may have.
The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $900,000, with the district W.I. expecting renovation and construction work to begin in the spring.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
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