“Help us preserve our past by being involved in our future.”
That’s the message museum curator Pam Hawley sent to council Monday, when she gave a presentation to kick off fundraising to renovate the Fort Frances Museum.
She noted a community fundraising goal of $75,000 has been set for the Fort Frances Museum’s renovation project.
The fundraising committee has been meeting over the past couple of months, with former mayor Glenn Witherspoon as the honourary chair.
Fundraising ideas so far include adopting an artifact for a nominal fee of $20. A variety of albums feature items from the museum collection.
Pick a favourite, perhaps something that is particular to you or your work, and you will get a certificate and your name added into the album, she explained.
A “community tree” will be incorporated into the property enhancement to recognize donors and celebrate your connection to the community. This will likely be a tree accompanied by a stone monument with donors’ names on it.
The “community tree” includes funding categories of $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000.
Coun. Tannis Drysdale said Monday evening she wanted to help get the ball rolling with the fundraising, and gave Hawley a donation for $1,000 on the spot.
“The history of Fort Frances very important to me,” she noted, adding she was committed to “protecting and preserving it at all costs.”
Last year, a Heritage Tourism Plan was prepared to identify and utilize Fort Frances’ heritage to promote the community.
This museum renovation is a component of the heritage tourism initiative that includes linking the gateway and parkway to ensure visitors here see the best of the community.
This project is identified as a centerpiece for downtown and will have a positive effect on revitalizing the core business section.
The Heritage Tourism Plan is a $2,725,974 project that includes museum renovation and property development, parkway and gateway linkage, and waterway development, including fort interpretation and Hallett and Lookout Tower relocation.
The town has a dedicated reserve of $390,000 towards this project. Other levels of government funding are being sought to complete the scenario, including an application to Cultural Spaces Canada currently being considered.
For more information on the fundraising campaign, call Hawley at 274-7891.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
