Ste. Anne man goes public with secret taxidermy museum

“I have something to show you,” said Jim Reimer, gesturing towards a ramshackle shed nestled in woods. Unsure of what to expect, I followed behind him down a well-trodden path. He opened the door of the old outbuilding and it was dark and somewhat cold inside. Then, with one flick of the lights, it felt like I had stepped into another world…

Reimer had invited me to his property the previous day noting he had an idea for a potential news story. Rather than make an attempt at explaining his thoughts over the phone, he mentioned simply that he possessed a sort of collection that could be of interest to our readers.

Before we entered the building to explore the so-called "collection", he gave me a tour around his neighbourhood; a quiet, well-forested group of houses on the outskirts of the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne. It was wintertime and the region had a silent beauty about it. I drove the vehicle as he talked and pointed out various features of the landscape. For essentially his entire life, Reimer had lived within the same three-kilometre radius. He knew the area, he knew the neighbours, and at each bend in the winding rural road he had another story to tell. “Slow down!” he said suddenly, bringing our conversation to a halt. “Look at that!”

An exotic bush of some kind had been discarded by the roadside. I stopped the vehicle. Reimer got out, grabbed the loose piece of foliage, and brought it back inside with him. When questioned about his use for the plant his response offered very little, “you’ll see,” he said. Intrigue was only increasing.

As our ride around the block drew to a close, I parked the vehicle on Reimer’s driveway and peered towards the large white shed. It was time to view whatever was inside.

The moment we walked through the doorway we were met by hundreds of wild animals; prowling, crawling, and flying, yet all frozen in place. The building was a taxidermy wonderland. Though its exterior had suggested a state of disrepair, the interior was an immaculate, if unfinished, nature museum.

“I am not a hunter,” clarifies Reimer. “I used to hunt in my younger days when I was testing the waters but decided that just wasn’t for me. I hate animal killing.”

As it turns out, most of the animals in his repository died natural deaths along the roadway, in zoos, or at local care facilities. The displays in his building attest to the wide variety of working relationships he has formed over the years. Massive jungle snakes from the Westman Reptile Gardens, kangaroos from Assiniboine Zoo, rare owls from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, and a wide array of Chinese pheasants from a contact overseas make for quite an impressive scene.

“When the zoo suddenly gives you a flamingo, well that is absolutely stupendous,” says Reimer in a manner that almost feels relatable.

“There is no doubt that I see a very strong connection between God and creation. I see God in every aspect of what I do.”

Between his museum and his workshop, there are dozens of animals, hundreds of birds, and thousands of insects. A friend of Reimer’s assessed the collection at over one million dollars, though to the artist himself it is invaluable. He says a comparable collection of taxidermy work would be difficult to find anywhere in the country.

Reimer began honing his craft at the age of 13 and has maintained that same childlike fascination with animals ever since. He sees taxidermy not as a skill to be profited off of or used to sport trophies but as a way of getting closer to nature. Indeed, in many ways, he views the intimate process as an act of worship towards the Christian God.

“It comes from a different perspective than most collections do,” he says. “There is no doubt that I see a very strong connection between God and creation. I see God in every aspect of what I do.”

The more he has studied the precise colouring and function of various animals, the more he has become convinced that the Earth could not have been an accident. Reimer believes nature is a living testimony of the extravagant power of God and says his museum exists to illustrate that fact.

Approaching his work from both scientific and artistic angles, Reimer seeks to reconstruct the animals exactly how they would appear in the wild but often has them interacting with one another in handcrafted environments. It was for such a diorama that he had salvaged the exotic fern.

“I throw in this extra aspect which I see very seldom in taxidermy and that is relationship,” he shares. “I love to make animals observing one another or doing things together, that to me is awesome”

Whether it be a young fawn smelling a butterfly or a group of baby raccoons playing together, Reimer delights in adding an almost Disney-like whimsy to his displays.

Creatures as large as musk oxen and as small as butterflies make cameos within the confines of his passion project and Reimer had tales to tell about each and everyone as we walked through its halls. While he has worked across the animal kingdom and back again, Reimer says his greatest passion is animals that fly.

“I have hundreds and hundreds of birds,” he states, “birds were always sort of my thing.”

According to Reimer, the strange skeletal structures, stunning hues, and meticulous detail of birds make for some of the most time-consuming and rewarding work.

“You can mention any bird to me and immediately my mind goes into creative mode,” he says.

An incredibly specialized list of federal and provincial credentials allow Reimer to restore protected species like songbirds and golden eagles. As one of only a handful of Canadians that has legal permission to do what he does, centres across the nation provide him with an almost endless supply of specimens. Those same permits, however, prevent him from selling his work commercially. Aside from a few donations he has made to local schools, nearly every animal Reimer has ever restored remains with him. And that is why he invited me onto his property.

Now 73, the longtime taxidermist realized he wanted to see his dream of operating a museum come to life before it was too late. For years Reimer has strived, alongside his daughter, to construct a museum worthy of the nature it displays. He has now recognized that may never happen. Instead of opening a completed museum, Reimer is inviting the public to come view a work in progress. Over the years he has shown his facility to friends and family but its presence has been largely a mystery. 

“It is not a secret, but I have not been public with it,” he says “there are many neighbours here just a few houses down that have no clue.”

Now, for the first time ever, the animal enthusiast is inviting anyone who is interested to partake of his life’s work.

Reimer notes the thought of publicizing his taxidermy treasure trove is exciting, scary, and vulnerable all at once. Still, he insists that is what he wants to do. As of today, Reimer is fielding inquiries and taking bookings to any individuals, families, or small school groups wanting a tour of his space. Instead of an admission fee, he is merely asking for a donation. 

The museum is located a short drive from Highway 12, near Blumenort.To get in contact with Reimer and arrange one of the premier visits, email goldenb1948@gmail.com. The nature enthusiast hopes to begin his very first tours on June 5, the first Saturday of the month. In the meantime, he plans to keep on working.

“A dreamer like me never stops dreaming,” he says, “and if I could enlarge it and make it twice as big I would.”