Hundreds of people gathered for the official season opening of the St. Paul Museum on Sunday afternoon.
The smell of barbeque filled the air, along with music by local artists. Those who browsed through and visited the historic displays were treated to a look at what life was like in St. Paul and area in the early 1900s, as homesteaders began moving into the area.
But, a special room set up in the People’s Museum was also available for residents to learn about a larger part of Alberta’s history. The museum is hosting the “Making Their Mark: The Land Surveyor’s Role in the Peaceful and Orderly Development of Alberta,” exhibit, and getting access to this provincial collection involved some extra work by museum volunteers.
Special arrangements had to be made at the museum to house the exhibit, according to Rhea Michaud. Video cameras were installed and the group waited about three years to get the exhibit in St. Paul.
According to information from the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association (ALSA), the exhibit was created by members of the Historical and Biographical Committee of the ALSA to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the association. The display explains how the land was divided, the grid system used, and the role land surveyors played in the development of Alberta.
The exhibit also supports the Grade 7 Alberta school curriculum, which has attracted some local classes to the museum, says Michaud. Hundreds of students of all ages have been taking the opportunity to visit the museum and view its many displays as the school years winds down.
Sunday’s event saw at least 250 go through the museum’s doors, according to Michaud. The event also acted as a fundraiser for the organization, with donations being collected from those who stopped by.
“It surpassed our expectations in every way,” says Michaud about the open house. Locals Randall Krys, Anne Robinson and Jarrid Poitras supplied entertainment, and another new display at the museum helped keep people engaged – a newly restored horse-powered well digger.
The museum will now be open regular hours for the summer months.
