Museum, visitor information centre opens for new season
Season opening - The Claresholm and District Museum and Visitor Information Centre opened for another season on Friday, May 15. From left are museum staff members Jordyn Wallace, executive director; Keelan Cashmore, collections technician; Emmitt Carlson, collections assistant; Sarah Leeds, education programming assistant; and Xander DeLeon, communications and public relations assistant. Photo by Rob Vogt
By Rob Vogt
The Claresholm and District Museum and Visitor Information Centre has opened for another season.
Opening day was Friday, May 15. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the last Friday in August.
This year the museum welcomes three summer staff.
Emmitt Carlson is the collections assistant; Sarah Leeds is the education programming assistant; and Xander DeLeon is the communications and public relations assistant.
Once again it will be a busy season.
The museum is hosting its Spring Festival this Saturday May 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the greenspace by the exhibit hall.
The day will feature kids’ games, music, a bouncey castle, and a fundraising barbecue at noon, with all proceeds going to the museum’s new building fund.
“It’s a family fun day to kick off the season,” said Jordyn Wallace, the museum’s executive director.
The next event is a Father’s Day car show on June 21, starting at 10 a.m.
Once again, the museum is partnering with the Porcupine Hills Classic Cruisers for the show.
There will also be a pancake breakfast fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the museum’s new building fund, and lunch at the Claresholm Social Centre.
The museum will have a booth and some games at the Canada Day festivities in Centennial Park on July 1.
They will be entering a float in the Fair Days parade again this year on Aug. 8, attempting to win the prize for best overall float for the fourth year in a row.
The museum will also be hosting its tea on the lawn that same day, Saturday, Aug. 8.
Inside the museum, more hands-on displays have been added such as a rotary telephone outside the telephone office that people can actually dial.
There is also an exhibit celebrating the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Claresholm Local Press later this year.
Wallace invites everyone to come visit the museum during one of these special events, or any day.
“We’re the history of the community,” she said. “Come check us out.
“Learn more about where you live.”
She especially welcomes all those living in town who may not have paid a visit for awhile.
“We always want our locals to come in,” Wallace said with a smile.