Victor Post exhibit opening

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 was the official opening of "Catching the Light: The Life and Photography of Victor Post", an exhibit made up of images from award-winning St. Albert photographer, Victor Post.

After Victor Post passed away in 2001, his vast collection of photographs was donated by his wife, Kathy Post, to the Musée Héritage Museum. The museum has been actively working to process the collection. The exhibit features selected photographs from the Victor Post fonds, chosen to cover Victor's life and his many interests, such as holography, science, ham radio, aviation, and his commission work as official photographer for the Government of Alberta.

Kathy Post traveled all the way from Kelowna, BC to attend the function. She talked about Victor's sense of pride for being associated with St. Albert. She expressed her happiness about seeing Victor's works on display and the lasting legacy of his work for the city of St. Albert.

Mayor Crouse presents Kathy with a memento book created for the 150th anniversary of the mission.

The evening was filled with fond memories of Victor, from Kathy and many others who worked with or knew Victor personally.

  

For more information about the Victor Post fonds, please visit our website at: http://museeheritage.ca/archives-library/

"Catching the Light" is currently open to the public until March 31, 2013.

Special Event "Combo" at the Museum -- Take Your Best Shot Exhibit Opening and Snowflake Festival

Friday November 30, 2012 was a busy night at the museum  celebrating the second annual Take Your Best Shot Youth Digital Photo Exhibition Opening and the annual St. Albert Snowflake Festival.

The photo exhibition gives youth -- Grades 3 through 12-- the opportunity to enter our photo contest and have their entries on exhibit at the Musée Héritage Museum.  Along with their photos, we invited younger members of the community to tell us why they chose their St. Albert area nature subject.

Catherine with her first prize entry

Catherine, Grade 10

"Last July I chose to take a photo of this Canada Goose which I saw on a pond near St. Albert because the bird looked so majestic.  I took several photos that were more traditional showing the classic ringed neck of the Canada Goose.  I enjoy this photo because it shows the feathers in great detail and the water is so clam and peaceful beside the bird."

Maya, Grade 5  

Dandelion white, 

Old, but beauty still in sight. 

A backyard delight.

"I chose this picture because the colours pop.  Some people think of this flower as a weed.  I just think it is one of nature's beauties!"

Kaden, Grade 7

"I first saw this pathway when I was running with my  gym class to prepare for my school's Terry Fox Run. I told my mom about the beautiful pathway in the trees.  My mom did not know where it was so I showed her the ravine... I took a picture of the sun through the pathway of trees.

Elly, Grade 4  

"This is a picture of my best friend Grace's hands shaped into a heart....I took this picture just before a huge mass of storm clouds rolled over our camp.  I think this picture shows how much I love being out in nature.  The bright sun really reflects the natural beauty of our campsite and Sandy Lake."

                 

Family members and visitors to the Museum had the opportunity to view all of the photo entries this year.  Prizes were awarded by our Curator,  Joanne White, to the winners in three categories; Grades 3-6, Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12.

Curator Joanne White

The Snowflake Festival happens every year in Downtown St. Albert and the Musée Héritage Museum is always happy to be part of the festivities. 

 This year we invited visitors into the museum to experience the youth photo exhibit, have a look at the current exhibits and warm up with hot cider and candy canes!  Check out the pictures below!

Roy busy making olde fashioned snowflakes with our younger visitors.

Mouse making activity with Kat

Making Christmas Mice with Jasmine

Looking at the Wind Work, Wind Play: Weathervanes and Whirligigs Exhibit--a travelling exhibit from the Canadian Museum of Civilization Collection

Remembrance Day at the Museum

The beginning of November is a time for Canadians to reflect upon those who have served our country in conflicts of the past.  At the Musee Heritage Museum, we are celebrating our veterans and remembering the sacrifices of the fallen with special displays and activities that will further the spirit of Remembrance.  The museum will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday the 11th, closed for a short time at 11:00 AM so that staff may attend the ceremony at the cenotaph.

George Chevigny, Boer War.

On display will be uniform caps that represent the branches of the Canadian armed services; Lt/Sgt. Arthur Robinson's medals reflecting his long service through World War II, the Korean War, and peacekeeping activities; Sgt. Dorothy (Bellerose) Chartrand's Canadian Women's Army Corps uniform; a series of panels illustrating St. Albert's military history; a slideshow of archival photographs celebrating some of the people from St. Albert who have served; bayonets; ration booklets; and identification disks.

Siblings Ruth and Carson Latimer, WWII.

Besides historic displays, there will also be activities.  One popular activity is the "try-on" area, which includes real uniforms, helmets, and webbing for children to try on, allowing them a small glimpse into what it is like to put on the uncomfortable uniform, the clunky helmet, and the heavy pack - just a small part of the sacrifices that our soldiers make.  We also have a period World War II board game for visitors to play.  Originally produced by the CBC, this game educates Canadians about the transport of war materiel from Canada to Britain, including the dangers faced by sailors bringing such goods across the Atlantic (ie. U-Boat attacks).  There will also be colouring sheets and a peace dove craft.  We would like to thank the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum for lending us several artifacts.

Archives Week - October 1 - 7

Archives Week is soon approaching and we have some fun events planned at the Musée!

Currently, we have a scrapbook exhibit that features archives from our holdings.  Don't miss out, the exhibit will be on until October 21.

This Saturday, we have an activities day planned for families entitled, Show-and-Tell, Games and Tours: Families in the Archives.  We invite you to bring in your scrapbooks to discuss with others.  We will have a few games and crafts for families.  And our archivist is giving behind-the-scenes tours of the archives.

Finally, on October 4, 7 - 8:30 pm, we are holding a workshop on Preserving Your Family Photos.  At the workshop we invite you to bring in your family photographs and our archivist will help you with storing your photos so they last for a long time.  Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 fee per participant. 

To sign-up for the workshop and for more information on archives events, call 780-459-1528.  We hope you join us and explore the Musée archives.

Western Canada Fire Underwriters' Association map, 1935

Scrapbook from Pauline Vaugeois fonds

Harvest Festival

This weekend, the Musée Héritage Museum put on a successful Harvest Festival at the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park.  Here are some photographs to sum up the fun at the event!

Dogs herding sheep at dog show

The Tchir brothers and friend performing

Horse rides

Girls gathering oats and wheat to make harvest bundles

Museum staff posing in front of Model-T