Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre & City of Wetaskiwin Archives
an inclusive gathering place for the local community to engage in the history, heritage and culture of Wetaskiwin City, County, and the Maskwacis Cree Four Nations
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Category: Artifact Collection
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The Beaver: Canada’s Beloved National Symbol
In Canada, the beaver is near and dear to our hearts. The vast beaver population drove early European explorers to Canadian coasts, as the demand for fur hats grew to substantial levels in the late 1600s and early 1700s. The trade of beaver pelts proved to be an incredibly successful venture—so much so that many…
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The Rise of Kodak Instamatic Cameras
Kodak has created hundreds of different models of cameras since being founded in 1888 by George Eastman in New York. The Instamatic was one of the most widespread models created, quickly gaining popularity after its initial release, costing as little as $16. This success inspired other camera companies, such as Canon and Olympus, to create…
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History and Benefits of the Umbrella Swift in Yarn Crafts
If you’re someone who likes to knit or crochet maybe you’ve heard of the umbrella swift or swift yarn winder! This wooden tool was used in the 1960s and functions by holding your skeins, loosely coiled thread or yarn, as you wind your yarn into neat, easy-to-use balls. This model clamps to your table and…
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How School Bells Shaped Classroom Communication
We are all familiar with the school bell; most of us can recall the sound of a bell played over the school intercom which was used to inform us when class started and when we could finally go home. Many different versions of the bell have been used over the years to communicate between students…
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Understanding the Green Thumb: Gardening History and Techniques
It’s that time of year when we are all finally rolling in the green – the green of our gardens that is! For thousands of years, people have been practicing the methodology of crop rotation and companion plating to prevent disease and pests, improve soil quality, and reap a bountiful harvest. Within Central Alberta, the…
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How the Centrifugal Seeder Changed Gardening
April showers bring May flowers! Have you gotten out into your garden to do some planting this year? A tool like this would make planting your greenery a walk in the park. This clever invention sought to replace hand seed spreading in the mid 1800s. The hand-operated centrifugal seeder, also known as the fiddle bow…
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Celebrating Mothers: The History of Baby Weighing
May is a month to celebrate the brilliant mothers and maternal figures in our lives! Have you shown your appreciation this Mother’s Day? This balance scale, once housed in Wetaskiwin’s former hospital and now a fixture in the Heritage Museum’s hospital exhibit, was used to weigh babies. A creation of Continental Scale Works, this scale…
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Celebrate Asian Heritage Month: Discover the Zheng
May is Asian Heritage Month and the Heritage Museum invites you to learn more about and celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Asian-Canadians have made in our history! The zheng pictured here, commonly referred to as the guzheng, is a plucked string instrument under the zither family. According to documents found from the Qin…
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From Fire to Modern Stoves: A Culinary Journey
Cooking technology has come a long way since humans first began cooking with fire hundreds of thousands of years ago. This Britannia cook stove, donated by Harold Blanch and located on the second floor of the Heritage Museum, was often the center of the pioneer household. Unlike most modern kitchen appliances, cook stoves are heated…
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Optometry and Jewelry: A Family Tradition in Wetaskiwin
Horace Roderick “Frenchie” French came to Wetaskiwin in 1909 from Scotstown, Quebec without a penny to his name, but possessing experience in both optometry and watch making. His legacy would live on in his sons, Charles Roderick “Rod” French and Malcolm Angus “Mac” French, who respectively entered the professions of optometrist and watch-maker in the…