Who killed Gold Toe Jake?
That was the big question on everyone’s mind at the Fort la Reine Museum this summer, where visitors stepped into the shoes of amateur sleuths for a murder mystery experience that blended local history, interactive puzzles, and a dash of prairie folklore.
The Murder of Gold Toe Jake wrapped up its final performance on Thursday, capping off a successful run of shows that had guests solving clues in a historical whodunit like no other.
The event was led by summer student Caitlyn Dion, who is a tour guide and program facilitator at the museum. She helped bring new life to a murder mystery originally staged at the museum back in 2008, with a few creative updates to suit the museum’s current layout.
“We had to adapt it a bit, since some of the buildings we used in the original version aren’t open anymore,” Dion explains. “But it gave us a chance to feature some of the newer spaces and get creative with the puzzles. We also brought in some familiar faces from the community.”
Those familiar faces included local actors Cindy McDonald and Tammy Roberts, both longtime Prairie Players performers, who brought the 1875 prairie town of MacDonald, Manitoba, to life. With help from Chris Kitchen, who wrote the original script, the team reshaped the story into a fully interactive experience.
Set in the fictionalized town of MacDonald, the plot centred on a mysterious bank robbery, committed by a shadowy figure known only as 'Gold Toe Jake', named for the flashy, gold-toed boots he wore during the heist. Players were tasked with figuring out Jake’s true identity and deciding whether the man who was hanged for the crime was innocent after all.
“It's a great way to get people coming out to the museum and engaging with local history. It's loosely based on a real legend, and most of the characters are based on real people. It's also set in MacDonald, Manitoba, so it’s a way to get people interested in the past without it feeling like a lecture," she says.
The mystery drew a wide range of participants, mostly teens and adults, due to some mature content and puzzle complexity.
"We had families, friends, and couples come out, and they seemed to really enjoy it. Part of the puzzle was making a golden glitter drink to toast with after solving the mystery. They loved that, and the thrill of solving the mystery is also always fun," she notes.
Museum volunteers were also on hand to help out, and for many, the mystery events have become a summer tradition.
“We’ve been to most of the murder mysteries here,” says one volunteer. “They’re always so well done. The staff put so much effort into it, and it shows.”
The museum’s murder mystery programming made its comeback last summer with A Riot in the Republic, an original story written and directed by Dion. That show’s success sparked excitement for more, and this year’s follow-up didn’t disappoint.
The museum's staff has found that these hands-on, story-driven experiences are a hit with the community. Many locals have also been asking about the return of the museum’s popular escape room.
“We were excited to bring some of the escape room elements in at the beginning part because we know that people loved it,” she continues.
For Dion and others, the ultimate goal is getting people excited about the stories behind the exhibits.
“There's a lot of history here. I love it and my grandkids do too," the volunteer adds. "This is a place the whole family can come to learn from days gone by, and it's great to have it right here in Portage."
Whether you came for the clues, the costumes, or just to see what all the buzz was about, The Murder of Gold Toe Jake offered Portage residents a fresh, fun way to connect with the past, and left them eager for whatever comes next.
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