CUT KNIFE — The heritage buildings in Tomahawk Park closed to the public in August, giving the Cut Knife’s Clayton McLain Memorial Museum a chance to catch up on administrative tasks.
They have been tackling the big task of cataloguing all the new donations and sharing their stories through revolving exhibits in the library and on the website’s blog.
This past holiday season, the CMMM’s blog featured a series of posts containing excerpts from “A Prairie Christmas: A Collection of Stories and Recollections.” This book was a fundraising project in 2006 and 2007. The memories start in the early 1900s and outline the changing traditions of Christmas in the area: school concerts, turkey dinners, sleigh bells, toys, electric lights and more. The posts are themed and chronological: a nostalgic read that referenced the artifacts displayed in the Cut Knife Library over the holidays.
Exhibits in the library are switched out regularly. In December, a seasonal hodgepodge of decorations, gifts, winter clothing, catalogues and recipe books filled the display cases. January rang in the new year with a selection of vintage calendars from local businesses, past and present. Exhibit cases in February showcase newly catalogued artifacts. Drop by 113 Broad Street during library hours to view.
A research request came in for information on the western horses that used to be shipped east in the 1940s. Did you know the Munsell family used to go to Medicine Hat, purchase range broncos and drive them overland to Cut Knife? They would break them and train them before shipping them by rail to New Brunswick as workhorses for the lumber industry. Stories like this one from the archives are treasures.
The gallery project is progressing quickly. The track lighting has been installed with the hanging and security systems are next in line. This will be a volunteer-run space for the visual arts. If you’d like to be involved or find out more about it, send the museum an email. The gallery will feature local artists — local being defined as within 50 miles of Cut Knife. The first request for submissions will be announced soon.
Currently in the works, the museum is upgrading the technology at the Duvall House. This summer, we expect the registration desk will have a reliable Wi-Fi connection that will enable staff to accept admission donations via a point-of-sale system. This will allow visitors who are not carrying cash, to donate or, also, to purchase gift shop items via their debit or credit card.
Volunteers are an essential part of the museum’s operation and growth. The AGM is mid-March and there will be openings for new board members. For those interested in artifacts and research, ask about working in the archives. There are also work bees and events that can always use an extra hand. Be sure to check out the museum’s website or Facebook page for further information.
