Museum work progressing on schedule

FORT FRANCES—The extensive renovations at the Fort Frances Museum are well underway, with the project still on line to be completed before the new year.
Museum curator Pam Hawley and interpretive development intern Emily Carr did a walk-through of the building on Friday and noted the entire building—from the basement to top floor—has been gutted since work started in July.
“It’s a little weird,” said Hawley. “The first day we went in here, when we were at the end of moving everything out, and it was clear of everything, it was weird.
“When I walked in again, and it was all gutted, it was really odd,” she added.
“It’s hard because we’re trying to plan exhibits and things to go in there without having a defined space—especially Emily, who never saw it before [the renovations began].
“It’s quite an interesting process,” Hawley remarked.
Hawley said everything from the flooring and interior walls to the plumbing, fixtures, and electrical system has been removed and is in the process of being replaced.
She explained changes to the existing building will help alleviate circulation and exhibition space problems, and it will feature a more “open concept.”
“If you go to museums that have recently been re-done, that’s how they look. Open rooms with big exhibits—I think that’s what we’re looking for,” said Hawley.
“In the next couple months, we’ll have a better idea of how the exhibits will look in there and what kind of furniture we’ll be using.”
New heating, ventilation, air conditioning, safety, security, and electrical systems also will be installed, added Hawley, noting that different parts of the museum will be “zoned” to specific temperatures and levels of humidity depending on what that part is being used for (i.e., artifacts, papers and books, artwork, etc.)
This will help ensure exhibits and artifacts avoid damage due to environmental factors, such as dampness, heat, or cold.
A new receiving and shipping area also is being built on the south side of the building, along with a second entrance for the public. Carr noted this area will be especially convenient and will alleviate receiving, crating, and shipping problems.
The renovations are expected to be completed by the end of the year and museum staff then will move back in. But while the museum will be open to the public, some areas will remain under wraps as the new exhibit is developed.
Carr, who is in charge of this new exhibit, will be spending the next 10 months or so putting it together, utilizing public input from a survey conducted over the summer.
Then there will be a grand opening, with not only the new exhibit unveiled but a recognition monument naming major contributors to the museum fundraising.
The total cost of these renovations is around $900,000. The town has provided around half the funding, with the balance being contributed by community partners and senior levels of government.
Hawley noted the museum renovations are Phase One of a larger heritage tourism plan devised by the consulting firm of Hilderman, Thomas, Frank and Cram—a $2,725,974 project that has designated the museum as the centrepiece of a tourism strategy designed to draw visitors to the downtown area and riverfront.
She added Phase Two of the plan includes:
•waterway development, including fort interpretation and relocating the Hallett and Lookout Tower to the riverfront;
•parkway and gateway linkage with signage and interpretive panels to guide people from Customs to the downtown area and the museum, and then onto the parkway to see the town’s heritage sites; and
•“streetscaping” and upgrading of the museum property, as well as the Scott Street/Victoria Avenue routes to the La Verendrye Parkway.
Phase Two planning will begin in this fall, with Hilderman, Thomas, Frank and Cram being retained as architectural consultants. Hawley noted this planning should be done by the end of the year—in time to apply for funding in order to execute it next summer.
In the meantime, the Fort Frances Museum temporarily is located at 334 Scott St. as the renovations are completed.
It is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The public is welcome to drop by and pick up a “Discover Fort Frances” package.
Anybody wanting to give to the museum fund also can make a donation there.
(Fort Frances Times)