Museum on Yellowknife history set to open in March

After decades of work, a museum focused on the history of Yellowknife is nearly a reality. 

"It's been a long process, it's been grueling in some cases, but of course we're extremely happy that we are finally at the point of having the museum open," said Helmut Epp, the president of the Yellowknife Historical Society.

The society has been working on opening the Yellowknife Historical Museum since 2002, when it purchased the building located at the former Giant Mine recreation hall. 

Renovating the building was a priority, but it wasn't until the past few years that the society received enough money to make it happen. The money has come from the territorial and federal governments, along with private donors.

Renovations included removing asbestos and installing heating and electrical wiring in the building. In total, renovating the building cost $2.2 million.

The renovations will be completed in the coming weeks, and the museum is set to open in March.

One of the attractions at the museum includes a historical timeline of events and historical points of interest for Yellowknife, dating back four billion years ago.

One of those is an iconic bylaw that was introduced in the 1970's, the anti-lion bylaw.

This came after a man tried to keep a lion named Sheba as a pet. 

"He would walk him up and down Franklin Ave. and people got scared of the lion. So the town brought in a bylaw saying you were not allowed to own a lion in town," said Epp.

The museum will also have a hall of fame meant to commemorate characters who make up Yellowknife. 

There will be images of people along with a short description of their autobiography hanging in the hall. 

Walt Humphries is on the Yellowknife Historical Soceity's board of directors.

He said the hall of fame is important for youth to see.