Heritage Policy Statement of the Town of Fort Frances
· The Town of Fort Frances recognizes the value of its cultural
heritage to its own community and to visitors to the community;
· We recognize the value of maintaining, protecting, and presenting the legacy left by our predecessors for our children and in turn, their children;
· We recognize the value of presenting our story to visitors from both educational and entertainment perspectives to optimize tourism opportunities;
· The Town of Fort Frances is committed to maintaining, protecting, preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.
Adopted by Council of the Town of Fort Frances 2004

Fort Frances Museum at the Heart of the Community
On July 1st of 1978, the doors opened to the Fort Frances Museum and Cultural Centre. After being in the library for a number of years and establishing the Lookout Tower Museum, a museum committee established in 1975 proceeded with finding a home for a museum. When the building at 259 Scott Street was deemed available, the committee saw the future of the museum. A public campaign and support from the Town Council realized the vision of a permanent museum.
The Fort Frances Museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets the artifacts that depict the story of man and nature as it relates to the history of Fort Frances and the surrounding Rainy River District.

WHAT WE DO…
Collecting- The Fort Frances Museum contains a vast collection of photographs and artifacts related to the history of Fort Frances and the Rainy River District. These artifacts and specimens depict the past and the development of the area in terms of natural resources, first nations, exploration, settlement and people, industry and cultural achievement.

Preserving: The Museum meets standards and procedures for proper handling, storage exhibition, packing and transport of artifacts to best preserve the collection
How to care for your own personal museum of family treasures. (Link www.preservation.gc.ca)

Research: The Museum carries out research in three general areas- local history, the collection, exhibits, programs and publications. Local history includes geography, natural history, archaelogy, geneaology, ethnology, and the social, commerical and industrial history of the Rainy River District.

We are available to assist you in geneaology or local history research.  Please make an appointment. Fees apply.

Education & Interpretation Programs: The Museum delivers public programs, Special Events and Exhibit Programming and a School Education Program. Education Programs meet Curriculum Requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Youth Groups and Special Interest groups are invited to participate in a variety of special public programs offered reqularily or organized by request.

Exhibits: The Museum Permanent Exhibit features how the land and water has created the community and region.  From early First Nations living in harmony, through early explorers scouting, exploitation by the Fur Trade, occupation and settlement to industrialization and conservation initiatives.

Natural History, First Nations, Fur Traders, Pioneers, Forest Industry and community development and growth. Regional and local artists and traveling exhibits are featured on a regular schedule.

Building Community: The Museum is an active member of the community. Through the years we have participated in events with the BIA, Chamber, FITS, and community arts organizations.