Staff
The public is invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Fort Frances Courthouse tomorrow.
“This is a pretty big deal for our whole district,” said Vicki Jewell, supervisor of court operations.
“It’s a district courthouse—it covers from Rainy River through to Atikokan and all the communities in between,” she noted.
“So it is a celebration for the district.”
Jewell added the staff and stakeholders are proud of the building.
“It’s quite an honour that we’re going to be celebrating this milestone,” she enthused.
The celebration is set to begin at 2 p.m. with a traditional First Nations’ ceremony by Elder Gilbert Smith and four drummers.
“There will be addresses and speeches by several people, followed by a tree-planting,” Jewell said.
She noted four commemorative trees are set to be planted on the courthouse grounds.
Then it’s back inside the main courtroom, where will be a reception with cake and coffee/tea, along with historical pictures, books, and new articles on display.
“It is a come-and-go event—very open,” Jewell stressed.
“Everyone is welcome.”
In addition, tours of the courthouse will be available to members of the public on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
“Anyone interested in touring the courthouse can stop by during those hours,” Jewell said.
