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: Heritage Moments
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Gwynne Ladies Curling: A Community Tradition
This Trophy labelled “Gwynne Ladies Curling Club – donated by French’s Jewellery Wetaskiwin 1968” has 19 metal plates inscribed with the names of the winning teams and year of victory. History of the Gwynne Curling Rink – A meeting was held at the Gwynne School on June 3, 1952 in regard to the erection of…
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Political Artifacts in the Heritage Museum: A Historical Insight
One of the more interesting portions of the Heritage Museum’s collection to me personally are any of the artifacts that hold a political significance or history. Niche, I know – but I took a few years of political science before settling on another major and it’s still a great interest of mine! Donated to us…
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Exploring Heritage Trunks: Barbara Clelland Stewart’s Journey
How many trunks have we posted about now? Two or three? Regardless each one of these trunks we talk about brings forth the incredible journeys of our heritage from across the world. This trunk belonged to Barbara Clelland Stuwart (Allison) (donor’s grandmother) who was born in County of Lauark, Scotland 1889/08/05 and died 1964/08/15. It…
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Experience Powwow Culture at the Heritage Museum
Celebrating our nation’s multiculturalism helps us understand our neighbours and bring us closer together. The Heritage Museum is honoured to be able to celebrate Indigenous culture with a temporary display of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery’s travelling exhibit Powwow! Ochiwîn The Origins. Curated by Patrick and Marissa Mitsuing, the exhibit features seven distinct…
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Discover Indigenous Culture Through Powwows
Celebrating our nation’s multiculturalism helps us understand our neighbours and bring us closer together. With the help of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, the Heritage Museum is able to commemorate Indigenous culture through a temporary display of powwows and their origins! The exhibit features seven distinct dance styles and their corresponding regalia—the characteristic…
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Discover the Origins of the Sewing Machine: From Saint to Singer
To the fashion-savvy or needlecraft-inclined, the sewing machine is heralded as the champion instrument of sewing clothes. The exact origin of the sewing machine is convoluted in the timeline of the Industrial Revolution and a boom of modern technology, but an English cabinetmaker by the name of Thomas Saint is accredited as the creator of…
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Understanding Heritage: Stories Behind Historical Artifacts
When I first began my journey at the Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre back in 2017, I was asked by Karen Aberle, PhD, what heritage was. I answered “uh… its history, but spelt with a “g””, and in that moment I received the first of many exasperated looks. Answering her own question she said, “History…
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Discover the Autoclave: A Key Medical Innovation at the Museum
The Heritage Museum has reopened for visitors to indulge in the history of Wetaskiwin and area! Artifacts such as this autoclave, an instrument sterilizer, are on display for viewing. This electric unit could be plugged in to sterilize doctor’s instruments with heat and steam. The elevated temperature and pressure targets microorganisms, spores, and viruses, ensuring…
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Understanding the Luopan: The Feng Shui Compass
The luopan, also known as a geomantic or Feng Shui compass, is a Chinese magnetic compass used by a Feng Shui specialist to distinguish the precise direction of an object, structure, or item. The oldest known precursors to the luopan are said to have been dated from sometime between between 278 BCE and 209 BCE,…
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The History and Use of Umbrella Swifts in Yarn Crafting
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…