The Frenchman Butte Museum has undergone an aggressive rejuvenation process over the winter months in an effort to position itself as the premier small town museum in Saskatchewan. President Tom Hougham anticipates the executive's endeavours at establishing a strategic plan over the winter will lead to significant improvements to the museum in the years to come.
Tom described the revitalization planning process they've just undergone.
"Last year, 2012, was an extremely difficult year for our association, having to cope with the loss of three highly valued members who passed away during the year. All three served our organization with distinction and we hold their memory dear knowing they can never be replaced.
"Our organization forges on though, and in doing so I've been elected as the new president and the group is depending on me to lead them into the future. Over this past winter we've developed a strategic plan, a vision if you will, of our future development that will reflect a continued commitment to preserving our heritage.
"Over the last five years or so we've been able to develop a wide variety of services for the visitors to our facility. Today our school class learning events are almost fully booked for this summer while our museum tours for visitors are as popular as ever, the new RV campground will be expanded even more to provide the travelling tourist with a base of operations which in turn contributes to an increase in traffic exploring the nearby historic sites. To enhance that experience we now provide historic tour guides to those with interest in exploring our past, while at our ever-popular log cabin teahouse our volunteers are seeing a comparable increase in traffic.
"Because our museum has developed far beyond being just a collection of artifacts from the past, one of the first tasks to be accomplished on our list of enhancements is a revision to our name. Today we provide a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy; we're an educational facility, an RV campground, a food and beverage provider, a historical document research center, even a host location for corporate retreats. As a result we have altered our name to reflect this multi-role aspect and designated our new title as Frenchman Butte Heritage Centre and Museum.
"Along with this new title we are developing a distinctive logo, new brochures and a greatly expanded Internet presence to promote our ever-growing facility. (www.frenchmanbuttemuseum.ca) Actual facility developments are in the planning stages, but will include some repositioning of building locations, a new office/bathroom/souvenir shop complex, and eventually an on-site maintenance workshop.
"We have challenges to face most certainly; one of the major ones being attracting willing volunteers. Nearly all the tasks at the centre are either contracted out commercially or delegated to volunteers who provide what time they can to accomplish the duty. A volunteer can only give what they can; we never demand, and in that way we create a pleasant, interesting and fun environment in which to become friends.
"The tasks at our complex vary widely, from greeting visitors in the teahouse to rejuvenating special exhibits for operation or display, and guiding visitor tours through the museum being a few examples.
"During the summer months we normally employ two or three school students for routine maintenance and conducting visitor tours of our museum. For students who might be interested, these positions will become available for application in early May.
"We recognize our centre is one of the premier history related attractions for all tourists travelling through the Lloydminster area on Highway No. 16. What they experience at our Frenchman Butte facility reflects directly on their expectation of what lies ahead during their holiday in our province, so we must set a high standard in highlighting the extensive history we possess.
"We gladly shoulder this responsibility, and extend an open invitation for you to join us in welcoming visitors to Saskatchewan, and to the Frenchman Butte Heritage Centre and Museum. You can begin by giving Tom Hougham a call at 306-825 2246."
