Despite the recent atrocious weather of the past couple of weeks, the Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum has launched into preparations for the coming tourist season.
The cultural center was recently selected by Saskatchewan's Prairies North magazine as "the best small town museum in Saskatchewan," This accolade was the result of a reader's survey poll, conducted by the magazine and published in its current issue.
Tom Hougham, president of the Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum group, voiced his pleasure at receiving such a tribute saying,
"It provides a real pat on the back for our many dedicated volunteer members who unselfishly contribute so much of their time to making our facility what it is; number one in the province."
Tom presided over last week's regular meeting that kick started the 2014 operations in preparing for the coming tourist season. He indicated the reservations for school class tours hosted by the museum each spring are already fully booked.
The goal of this popular program is to provide students with an opportunity as a class group to visit the facilities, experiencing a selection of demonstrations on pioneer skills and participate in a short tour of the nearby historic sites of either Fort Pitt or Frenchman Butte battlefield rifle pits. These tours provide a step back in time experience to help students understand the importance of the role heritage plays in their everyday lives.
During the past winter a few of the museum's members embarked on researching the "cold case" murder of a French fur trader whose untimely end provided the grounds for our district being identified as Frenchman Butte.
Investigation has uncovered details that indicate the murder occurred in the very early 1800s when a group of raiding Blackfoot warriors encountered a French fur trader and his female companion camped at what was then known as Red Deer Hill, killing them for their fur. The fur bundles were then traded by the raiders at Fort Paint Earth, which was located across the North Saskatchewan River from Lea Park, Alta., the site preserved inside a fenced compound.
The two victims were later buried alongside the Carlton Trail at the southwest base of what we now know as Frenchman Butte.
Researching records continues, uncovering additional details to the tale and the group is open to public assistance in the task.
Hougham also indicated his organization will continue to work toward further enhancements of its renowned heritage center as well as to both Ft. Pitt Historic Park and Frenchman Butte National Historic Site. He indicated we need to keep pace with the developments at the other related attractions within the province if we are to attract the economic advantages tourism can provide to this portion of Saskatchewan.
