Renovated W.I. Museum reopens

News Release

On October 24th, people from across the district gathered at the newly renovated Rainy River District Women’s Institute Museum in Emo.
They gathered to celebrate the completion of the renovations with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Linda Hamilton, a member of Ontario Trillium Foundation’s local Grant Review Team, Mayor Vince Sheppard, from the Township of Emo, Richard McKinnon from Sarah Campbell’s office, and Annie van Rozen, Chair of the Museum Board, were present to help cut the ribbon. After the ceremony there were refreshments and cake, and the opportunity to tour the museum.
The museum, also known as the Pioneer Museum is located in three buildings on Tyrell Street (behind the police station). The committee has been working to improve the functionality of and public access to the facility since it was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2012.
"We are very thankful to the Trillium Foundation for their generous support, enabling us to do all this work which will certainly have a positive impact on our ability to serve the people of the Rainy River District," said van Rozen.
The extended ramps make it a lot easier to visit all three buildings. New flooring and wider front doors were installed and better lighting and new pain spruced up the interior.
The buildings are also used as tourist information Centre, exhibition hall for temporarily displays, meetings, and for summer program for children.
"The whole board of the museum worked together to get the renovations done, but we could never have done it without the support from the community around us.
We do thank the volunteer workers from the community who came out to help with removing the walls and all other work. Also Thank You to the sponsors. Especially Pete Veldhuisen of Select Construction, Thompkins Home Hardware, and Dale Stamarski were extremely supportive and generous to us. Thank you also to Harold McQuaker Enterprises Ltd, Belluz Concrete & Rentals ltd, and Manitou Forest Products Ltd, and many more. A special thank you to the municipality of Emo, who has always been a great supporter of our museum, and we hope that will continue many more year," said van Rozen, Chair of the Museum Board.

The museum houses a wide variety of artifacts that reveal the history of settlers in the region. We have rooms set up from a general store, to a classroom, a kitchen, barn or workshop, and area with artifacts from the military, and much more. During the winter months the museum will only be open on special request. For more information, please call Annie van Rozen, 482-3941.