MEDIA RELEASE August 25, 2017
Grande Prairie Museum Updates Features for 2017
The Grande Prairie Museum invites new and returning visitors to explore recent changes.
Collections and maintenance staff at the Grande Prairie Museum and Heritage Village have made updates to permanent galleries, created new exhibits and added features.
Main Gallery
A new funeral exhibit in the main gallery commemorates Grande Prairie’s longest running business, Oliver’s Funeral Home. The newest addition includes undertaker instruments, parlour furniture and highlights some historical funeral traditions practiced in different countries and cultures.
To celebrate 150 years of confederation, the Spirit of the Peace Museums created A History of the Peace Country in 150 Objects scavenger hunt. In partnership with the South Peace Regional Archives, nineteen of these original artifacts are on display in the Grande Prairie Museum with copies placed throughout the Heritage Village. Anyone wishing to complete the Peace Country wide scavenger hunt can pick up a brochure at Guest Services.
Freemasonry: A History in Plain Sight, a travelling exhibit from the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, remains on display until late October. This exhibit includes contributions from the Lake Saskatoon and Grande Prairie Masonic Lodges and has hosted a variety of talks and tours with local masons over the past few months.
To enhance the museum’s Military Section, a video presentation of the Tuffill Family Album is on display. The presentation includes local photographs dated between 1910 and 1950.
Heritage Village
Recent changes extend into the Museum’s adjoining Heritage Village. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the GP Stompede, a vintage Chuckwagon is on display in the machine shed and a mock chicken coop occupies the Village’s red barn; complete with a rooster, chickens and chicks. Just outside the barn and fire hall, guests find new custom photo boards, by local artist Robyn Termeer, waiting for visitors to capture new memories.
Rehabilitation on the Pipestone Creek Store, Campbell Cabin and Hudson Bay Outpost has created more visitor access, visibility and safety while also increasing the longevity of the buildings. Supplementary household artifacts further improve the atmosphere in the homesteader buildings.
Hours and Location
The Grande Prairie Museum and Heritage Village is open extended summer hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please note that entry into the Heritage Village is weather dependent due to safety and preservation concerns.
Regular hours resume following Labour Day, Sept 4. Admission is always free and new scavenger hunts monthly keep all ages entertained and engaged.
The museum is located in Muskoseepi Park with parking available in the south lot by Mini-Links golf course. Park access is located on 102 Ave. at 102 St.
More History at the Rev. Forbes Homestead
New for 2017 at the Rev. Forbes Homestead and Pioneer Hospital is a temporary exhibit celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Grande Prairie Legion.
Forbes is a recognized provincial historic site located behind the QEII hospital at 10424 96 St. The site served as Grande Prairie’s First Hospital and is one of the oldest log structures in Grande Prairie.
Visitors are welcome to visit the homestead daily from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. until Labour Day, Sept 5. The site remains open Saturday and Sunday’s only in September from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call the Grande Prairie Museum at 780-830-7090 or email culture@cityofgp.com
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Media Enquires may be directed to:
Charles Taws
Curator / Collections Supervisor
Grande Prairie Museum
780-830-7084
ctaws@cityofgp.com
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