Friends of Grain Elevators

Overview Friends of Grain Elevators is a charitable organization based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2003, the organization aims to promote and preserve Thunder Bay's rich history in the grain trade, particularly focusing on the city's role as a vibrant grain port.

Mission and Activities The organization is dedicated to raising awareness and pride in Thunder Bay's grain trade history. Its activities include gathering industry stories, photos, and memorabilia, which are shared through various media such as displays, community presentations, elevator tours, and social media platforms. Friends of Grain Elevators also engages in creating educational content, including a stage play, to further spread the city's storied history in the grain industry.

Organization Structure As a non-profit corporation, Friends of Grain Elevators operates with an elected board of directors. It is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization, complying with CRA's requirements for such entities.

Contributions to Local History Friends of Grain Elevators contributes significantly to preserving and promoting local history through events like the self-guided waterfront tour and historical film festivals. These initiatives highlight Thunder Bay's historic and modern grain trade activities.

Awards and Funding The organization has received funding for local history preservation projects, further solidifying its commitment to documenting and showcasing the city's grain trade heritage.

Public Engagement Friends of Grain Elevators engages with the public through oral history projects, historical maps, and a collection of vintage postcards celebrating Canada's grain industry. This helps build a strong connection between the community and the city's grain trade history.