Heather Latter
Anyone looking for a Fort Frances souvenir will want to check out the new merchandise available at the Fort Frances Museum.
As of last week, the “Friends of the Fort Frances” put out for sale T-shirts featuring the “49 Canadian Lager” label on it, as well as BBQ aprons and glasses featuring the “Fort Frances Brewing Co. Ltd.” logo on it.
And just last month, they also made available tote bags with the Noden Causeway on it.
“‘Friends of the Museum’ have been around for a few years now and pretty much since the start, we have had intentions of developing souvenirs to be sold at the museum,” explained “Friends” president Duane Hicks.
“We’ve done other projects in the meantime because we were waiting for just the right idea to come to us,” he continued. “It takes time to develop these things.”
And earlier this year, the right idea came during a brainstorming session—developing souvenirs based on the beer brewing history in Fort Frances.
“We thought the beer brewing theme was unique,” Hicks voiced.
“In Northwestern Ontario, it’s not uncommon to see souvenirs with a moose or a beaver or a mosquito or a fish on it, which are all wonderful, but we just thought this would be unique and would appeal both the tourists and to local residents,” he reasoned.
While some people are aware of the beer brewing history in Fort Frances, Hicks indicated others may not know about it.
“Whether or not your were alive when the brewery was still running it’s still interesting to younger generations, too,” he expressed. “So it has a mass appeal for all ages, men and women.”
He added the products are also informative—a way to learn about the history of the community.
“And it’s about more recent history, too, as opposed to the fur trade,” he said, citing the glasses include a piece of paper sharing the history.
It notes that the Fort Frances Brewing Co. Ltd. began brewing its first beer in September, 1925, the same year the Ontario government decided to end prohibition in the province.
At that time, it produced 70 barrels of 4.39 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) beer per day.
The brewery was located at the intersection of the D.W. & P. (Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific) Railway line with Mill Road.
In 1960, it was purchased by brewmaster William A. Beck and became the Beck Brewing Co. Ltd.
Eventually, it reverted to the town and, after being partly destroyed by fire in October, 1975, the building was razed.
“The labels that you see on the T-shirt, apron and glass are actually from beer bottles that were donated to the museum,” Hicks voiced, citing some of the artifacts, including unopened bottles of beer, are on display at the museum if people are interested in seeing those.
He added the group is hoping the beer brewing souvenirs will be a hit.
“Even before we received the products, when we were mentioning the idea to various people to get their feedback, some people definitely showed interest, saying they would buy them when we got them in,” he said. “So that’s very promising to know that people are that excited about it.”
He indicated the souvenirs are on sale at the museum right now.
They cost $25 for the T-shirts (sizes S-XL), $30 for the aprons (one size fits all), $15 for the glasses, and $5 for the tote bags.
There is also promotion on if you buy a shirt, apron and glass for $70, you get a tote for free.
Hicks noted selling the products at the museum is an ideal location, especially because it is open seven days a week in the summertime.
The products are a fundraiser for Friends of the Museum, which has purchased items for the museum and sponsored art camps in recent years.
“But I think what’s equally important is the souvenirs expand what is available at the Fort Frances Museum itself. They give people another reason to come through the door—and to leave with unique souvenirs,” Hicks voiced.
“In the future, having souvenirs at the museum is something that we’ll expand upon further,” he said. “We want to make the museum more of a go-to place, not just for tourists but for locals who are looking for unique gift ideas at all times of the year.”
Hicks noted anyone wanting to purchase they souvenirs shouldn’t wait too long because there is only a limited supply right now.
In fact, he said he hopes to run out of the items they currently have on-hand.
“We will probably order more,” he explained. “It is really a test run, in that we’ll take any feedback we get into consideration for future orders.”
He indicated, for instance they could possibly look into other colours choices or different kinds of products.
