SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2015 VOLUME 39, EDITION 5 SPARKS NEWSLETTER OF THE WESTERN DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM CEO JOAN CHAMP WITH GRANDDAUGHTERS RUBY AND ROSE CEO S REPORT A New Look for the WDM UPCOMING EVENTS What s happening at your WDMs CANADA DAY 1 WDM hosts exhibit from Pier 21 MOOSE JAW NORTH BATTLEFORD SASKATOON YORKTON WDM.CA
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Take a look at us now! The Western Development Museum has a new brand! In consultation with WDM stakeholders, including Museum members and volunteers, we have developed a new logo and a new tagline Saskatchewan Inspired. The WDM expects that this exciting new brand will help to emphasize the distinctiveness of our Museum. A vintage modern look was selected for the WDM s new logo. The vintage feel reflects our many artifacts, while modern evokes our current approach. The logo has been carefully handcrafted to communicate a fun and welcoming feeling identical to the visitor experience at the Museum. The new tagline Saskatchewan Inspired works because the Museum is focused on the unique history of Saskatchewan. We believe that all visitors are inspired by the Saskatchewan exhibits and programs presented at the WDM. By telling Saskatchewan Inspired stories the Museum celebrates artifacts that represent the innovation, creativity and resourcefulness that are so much a part of our province s heritage. Our new logo and tagline are being introduced in phases starting in the fall of 2015. I hope you will watch for our Saskatchewan Inspired brand. I invite you to wear it proudly! Joan Champ, CEO
EVENTS Upcoming Events WDM Moose Jaw Through October 100 Years Ago: Remembering WWI exhibit Through September 27 Echoes in the Ice: Finding Franklin s Ship exhibit from the Canada Science and Technology Museum October 29 November 21 Ghostly Games Kids Secret Shopping and Shortwave to Santa WDM North Battleford Through November 15 September 18 October 24 October 29 & 30 WDM Saskatoon Through December 6 October 16 17 October 24 October 30 November 13 15 November 14 November 22 28 WDM Yorkton September 13 FEED exhibit by Mindy Yan Miller Barn Dance Great Pumpkin Masquerade & Family Dance Fright Night (Adults Only) Canada: Day 1 exhibit from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Christmas Craft Fair Pioneer Threshermen s Club Flea Market Boo Town Museum Store Sale Children s Shopping Day Festival of Trees Grandparents Day
IN THE GALLERIES A WDM Moose Jaw - Echoes in the Ice: Finding Franklin s Ship From the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Through September 27, 2015. This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada. A B C D B WDM North Battleford - FEED By Mindy Yan Miller. Through November 15, 2015. C WDM Saskatoon - Canada: Day 1 From the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Through December 6, 2015. D WDM Yorkton - Railway Mural & Settler Experience, WDM Permanent Exhibit.
FEATURE Canada: Day 1 The WDM is honoured to host Canada: Day 1 from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. The immigration experience is marked by firsts. The first day in a new country takes shape with an individual s first steps, first impressions and first experiences. Come explore immigrants diverse personal Day 1 experiences, from Confederation to present day. We hope this exhibit sparks ongoing conversations and further reflections on Canadian identity and educates visitors on the struggles new Canadians face. Throughout October 2015 a representative from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 will be in Saskatoon documenting oral histories of people who have immigrated to Canada. Oral histories are a meaningful way to document stories for future generations and share experiences and memories with other Canadians. If you or someone you know are interested in participating in this project, please contact Emily Burton at eburton@pier21.ca. Canada: Day 1 is open through December 6 in Saskatoon and will open in Moose Jaw on December 19 and run through March 27, 2016. Canada: Day 1 is a travelling exhibition produced by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 as a legacy project of our nation s 150th anniversary in 2017 and supported by RBC Foundation. This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
ABOUT US WDM Collaborates with RSM Alyssa Becker-Burns and Tim Greening from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Conservation Department work with WDM Conservation Technician Mark Anderson (right) to test artifacts like this taxidermy moose head from the WDM collection using an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The machine detects heavy metals such as zinc, arsenic and lead. Identifying these and other metals allows us to better care for our collection. New to the WDM Collection CIRCUS POSTER BY KING SHOW PRINT Thank you to those who have donated artifacts. In the past few months we have collected many interesting artifacts, including: Memorabilia from Saskatchewan s participation in the 1967 Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant. Top hat worn by Thomas Henry Garry, member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly from Yorkton 1905 to 1929. Pictured here is a circus poster by King Show Print. Andrew King was 24 years old in 1909 when he bought Rouleau s weekly newspaper. A chance meeting with a theatre agent got him into the poster business, which he continued until 1958. His brightly-coloured circus posters printed from hand-carved wood blocks were plastered on buildings across Canada and the American west. This tiger print wood block was carved in 1936 and printed many times over the years.
STAFF PROFILES We have so many opportunities to promote awareness and education of Saskatchewan We have a legacy we should be proud of and a future with endless possibilities. Joyce Smith Joyce Smith MANAGER WDM NORTH BATTLEFORD Going strong since 1986 Originally hired for a summer season in Customer Service, Joyce has spent 25 years with the WDM. Today, she is the Manager of the WDM North Battleford. Because of her background in customer service, one of her priorities is working with her team to provide the highest quality service to WDM visitors. Her list of career highlights is long, but one that stands out is the recent cleaning and repainting of the WDM s largest artifact: the 24 metre tall Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator No. 889. WDM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ken Azzopardi, Chair Regina Diana Ireland Moose Jaw Janice Hobbs Saskatoon Susan Lamb Saskatoon Dennis Naphin Yorkton Raymond Sadler Biggar Dave Whitehead North Battleford D Susan Mandziuk MANAGER WDM YORKTON 35 Years with the WDM Susan has worked with the WDM for her entire career, starting as a summer student and moving through nearly every department from collections to front desk to maintenance to exhibits and finally to her current position as Manager. She was a part of the Museum s move from the Airport Hangar to the Museum s current facility. Her many fun memories include a tug-of-war against a steam traction engine, an outdoor nativity pageant with live animals, and meeting visitors, including a man who road the rails with her great uncle in the 1930s.
MOOSE JAW Ghostly Games October 29 Wear your best costumes for a night of safe, warm Halloween fun, including spooky crafts and games like Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin and Vampire Knockout. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the event runs until 7:30 pm. On your way out, be sure to pick up a special Halloween treat bag. Regular admission applies. Birthday Parties at WDM Moose Jaw Celebrate your birthday surrounded by planes, trains and automobiles at WDM Moose Jaw. We offer a two hour transportation-themed party for ages five-eight that includes a craft, scavenger hunt through Museum galleries, loot bags and cake. Call us for more information. WDM MOOSE JAW CONTACT US 50 Diefenbaker Drive Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L9 Phone: 1-306-693-5989 Email: moosejaw@wdm.ca SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER HOURS 9:00 am 5:00 pm Daily Museum Closed: Thanksgiving Day
NORTH BATTLEFORD Barn Dance September 18 Bring dancing shoes for the whole family to help celebrate the harvest season with Leon Ochs & Friends. Don t know how to dance? Don t worry - we ll to teach you the basics. Rounding out the evening will be games, contests, and a silent auction plus a concession and non-alcoholic beverage bar. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 each in advance or $15 at the door. Great Pumpkin Masquerade & Family Dance October 24 This family friendly dance features a pumpkin gallery, games, crafts, prize table, concession and a haunted house. Dress in your best costume for a chance to win prizes! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Regular admission applies. WDM NORTH BATTLEFORD GREAT ESCAPES LOTTERY 2016 COMING SOON Early Bird Draw November 1 CONTACT US Box 183, Hwys 16 & 40 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y1 Phone: 1-306-445-8033 Email: nbattleford@wdm.ca SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER HOURS 9:00 am 5:00 pm Daily Outdoor Village: Open until October 14 Museum Closed: Thanksgiving Day
SASKATOON Christmas Craft Fair October 16 17 Our annual Christmas Craft Fair is nearly 25 years old and it s just around the corner. Find that unique Christmas gift you can t find anywhere else Friday, October 16 from 4:00 10:00 pm and Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 am 5:00 pm. We ve got a good mix of new and returning vendors who showcase woodworking, quilting, jewellery making, sewing and other beautiful crafts. Be sure to sample some delicious treats from vendors and the Boomtown Café. WDM SASKATOON CONTACT US 2610 Lorne Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7J 0S6 Phone: 1-306-931-1910 Email: saskatoon@wdm.ca SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER HOURS 9:00 am 5:00 pm Daily Museum Closed: Thanksgiving Day Boo Town October 30 This family-friendly Halloween event designed for children 12 & under offers a spooky, safe and warm place for ghosts and goblins to show off their costumes, play games for Halloween treats, and enjoy stories, musical entertainment and food. Boo Town runs from 5:30 8:30 pm on Friday, October 30. Regular Museum admission applies.
YORKTON Gift Shop One of the most celebrated icons of Russian tradition and culture, Matryoshka are brightly painted wooden nesting dolls with a mother figure at the head of her large family. Imported from Russia, these dolls and related giftware pieces such as brooches, magnets and keychains are popular items in the WDM Yorkton gift shop. With a variety of designs and colours even unpainted dolls which you can adorn yourself there are many choices for this unique item as a souvenir for someone or a keepsake for yourself. Let s Raise The Roof! The WDM Yorkton has a new roof! The old roof had exceeded its expected design life with some sections deteriorating to the point there was a risk of leaks, potentially damaging artifacts in the Museum. With an R value of 30 the new roof is significantly more energy efficient than the old roof. Less heat will be lost through the roof in the winter which means cost savings for the WDM as well as reducing the Museum s ecological footprint by using less energy. WDM YORKTON ADDRESS & HOURS Box 98 Hwy 16 A West Yorkton, SK S3N 2V6 Phone: 1-306-783-8361 Email: yorkton@wdm.ca SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER HOURS 9:00 am 5:00 pm Monday Friday 12:00 5:00 pm Weekends Museum Closed: Thanksgiving Day
Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre 2935 Lorne Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7J 0S5 WDM.CA Why did I get this in the mail? Sparks is one of the many benefits you receive as a WDM member or supporter. Normally receive Sparks via email? This is the first issue of our re-designed Sparks and we wanted you to receive a print copy. If you signed up for e-sparks, you will receive the next issue of Sparks by email. Curatorial Centre Business Hours 8:30 am 4:30 pm Monday Friday Sparks Editors: Corinne Daelick and Kristine Flynn Copyright 2015 Western Development Museum CHILDREN S PIONEER DAYS WDM YORKTON