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Waskesiu Heritage Museum Hosts the ArchaeoCaravan

Jul 7, 2016 | 10:09 AM

The Waskesiu Heritage Museum is in its 11th summer of providing visitors to Waskesiu with a unique experience of earlier days in “Saskatchewan’s playground”.

The museum tells the human history of Prince Albert National Park (PANP) since its inception in 1928. It brings together artifacts, images, and memorabilia that depict the way of life of early visitors and residents. People who were instrumental in developing the Waskesiu community and who continue to enjoy PANP today donated items to the museum.

The museum enables visitors to gain a greater understanding of the park’s vibrant past. Several thousand people visit the museum each year.

The featured exhibit is an original canvas roofed shack tent from the early days of the Park, accompanied by a replica of an early camp kitchen. A guide welcomes visitors and shares stories about “shacktenting”. A portable cabin and shed, locally known as a doghouse, represent a later era along with a fire tower cupola and a rail cart for portaging watercraft. The displays in the heritage log building can be viewed alone or with free audio guides that relate stories connected to the artifacts.

Albums of photos, scrapbooks, and DVD interviews all entertain visitors and aid in learning the history of Waskesiu.

A large group of active volunteers continues to support the museum by serving as board members, working as guides, planning and holding events, building and maintaining displays, and raising funds.

Popular activities have become annual events in the community: family Bingo each Wednesday during the summer, a busy Yard Sale the second Saturday in July, and Heritage Day on the second Saturday in August featuring old-fashioned fun for the whole family. The popular kayak raffle tickets are sold at the shack tent to raise money for museum expenses.

This summer the Museum is excited to be hosting a visit from the ArchaoCaravan, a travelling display and hands-on activities for all ages sponsored by the Saskatchewan Archaological Society. On Friday, July 15 from 9:00 to 5:00 outside on the Museum grounds, visiting archaeologists will explain their displays and guide visitors through unique activities like throwing an atlatl to hunt bison, trying rock painting or making pottery.

The ArchaeoCaravan tours to assist museums in identifying items in their collection and to educate the general public on Saskatchewan’s archaeological history. Visitors are invited to bring any items they have that they would like an archaeologist to identify and explain for them. There is no charge and everyone is welcome!

The museum is located on Waskesiu Drive across from the local cinema in a heritage log building, the former Park Information Services and Warden building. During the summer months, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. staffed by competent volunteers and a student guide. Admission is by donation.

Information Bulletin
Information about the museum is available on the mobile friendly website www.waskesiuheritagemuseum.org. Volunteer help is always welcome by this active, dedicated organization.
Information about the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society and the ArchaeoCaravan is available at http://www.saskarchsoc.ca/archaeocaravan.
The Waskesiu Heritage Museum is grateful for support from the Canada Summer grant and Young Canada Works grant programs, SaskCulture, and Sask Lotteries.