After a few years without clear roadside signage, the Fort la Reine Museum is once again easy to find, and executive director Emma Ens-MacIver couldn’t be happier to see the new sign standing tall. Installed Thursday morning, the new sign has a fresh spot along Highway 1 at the corner of Road 25 West, marking a big step in helping visitors find their way to the historic attraction. Located on the east edge of Portage la Prairie, the signboard replaces one that was lost during a violent windstorm several years ago. “That storm was a rough one,” Ens-MacIver recalls. “We actually had to close the museum because of tornado warnings and debris flying around.” The new installation has been in the works for the past couple of years and will make a significant difference for tourists wanting to visit the museum. “It’s been missing for the last few years, and I just think it’ll be really helpful in getting people to the right spot, because people often end up at the original Fort la Reine site on the river instead of here at the museum,” she explains. The historic fort, originally built in the 1730s, was situated along the Assiniboine River, while the museum, a recreation of the original settlement, sits nearby. The new signage should help clear up confusion for visitors unfamiliar with the area. Alongside the new east-end sign, the museum also plans to improve its existing west-side sign, which has become partially hidden over the years. The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie has been assisting with the installation, and Ens-MacIver says that support made all the difference. “The RM has been working hard to get our sign back up, and they’ve been awesome to work with,” she adds. With the new sign now in place, the museum is looking forward to a more visible future. “It’s not a big change, but it will help people actually find us, and hopefully bring more people to stop in." Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.