By Jared Gottselig

Western Development Museum offers a step back in time

Aug 13, 2017 | 9:40 AM

The Western Development Museum (WDM) was offering a glimpse into the past over the weekend.

At the annual Those Were the Days event, WDM opened its doors to show off all the museum has to offer, showcasing what life for families on the prairies in the early 1900s was like.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to peruse the various exhibits and take a stroll through a miniature early 20th-century village. The buildings here consist of churches, old fashioned homes, general stores, post offices and more, each open to allow visitors the chance to take a peek into how these establishments once operated.

Joyce Smith, the general manager of WDM, said having the opportunity to see where society once was is essential information for people to know.

“If we don’t know where we came from, how can we determine how we got here?” Smith said. “[For example], my nine-year-old grandson is doing water pumping demonstrations…you didn’t get a drink of water back then until you pumped it by hand, so it kind of puts into perspective how different everything was.”

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Additionally, the museum showed its impressive collection of gas and steam engine vehicles. Most notably, the whistle of the historic Locomotive 1158 steam-powered train was restored and rang Saturday for the first time in decades.

Despite competition with other events such as Cochin Days, Smith was happy with attendance, noting the grounds had been quite busy so far. The event also boasted children’s activities, a garage sale, several various demonstrations, and delicious food.

jared.gottselig@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jgottsel