Historical society develops memorabilia displays

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: February 21 2020 Strathmore Times

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

New display cases featuring local historical memorabilia are located at the Strathmore library and the Wheatland County office. A refurbished display case also displays artifacts at the Strathmore Legion. Members of the WDHS include Tom Sadler (l-r), Rhonda Stockwell and Lynn Fair. Photo Courtesy of Tom Sadler

New display cases featuring local historical memorabilia are located at the Strathmore library and the Wheatland County office. A refurbished display case also displays artifacts at the Strathmore Legion. Members of the WDHS include Tom Sadler (l-r), Rhonda Stockwell and Lynn Fair.
Photo Courtesy of Tom Sadler
The Western District Historical Society (WDHS) recently developed some areas for public display of local historical memorabilia.
Locations of new display cases that house the memorabilia include the Strathmore Municipal Library and Wheatland County office. As well, the WDHS refurbished the display case at the Strathmore Legion.
“In 2017, WDHS applied and was fortunate to receive a government of Canada grant from the New Horizons for Seniors program,” said Rhonda Stockwell, with the WDHS. “Little evidence remains of Strathmore’s early CP railway days and it is important to utilize what memorabilia that exists to educate the public of our local history.”
WDHS was registered as a society in January 2015 and presently has 20 members, of which seven serve on the board of directors.
WDHS activities have included all ages from school students to seniors. The society established walking tours complete with a free app for smart phones; educational and historical presentations highlighting the history of Strathmore and the CPR Demonstration Farm where the remnants of which are located on the Bruce Klaiber property; and the sunflower field by the Klaiber granary has become an annual attraction.
Ongoing projects include working with Communities in Bloom on the Strathmore Heritage Trees project and historical signs. A fourth Strathmore walking tour will be released on the On This Spot app which features more of the historic downtown.
Special acknowledgement for the artifacts that are used in the displays at the library and Wheatland County building are from the Archie Blais collection, now owned by Archie’s niece Yvonne and Bob Hartell.