KERROBERT — The Kerrobert and District Museum, located to the historic Kerrobert Court House in 2007, had a busy summer, counting almost 400 visitors from the summer of 2022, a sizeable increase from 175 who visited during the summer of 2021.
Prompting a good portion of these visitor numbers was the time capsule reveal event that was held. Visitors over the summer came from as far away as Vancouver, Cincinnati, Michigan, Alaska and even Brazil.
The added attraction of the surprise discovery of the time capsule during the front steps restoration project and subsequent opening of the historic piece, added to the museum’s overall attraction. Museum staff and volunteers answered many emails from media and interested parties from around the country regarding the time capsule discovery and its opening. The items retrieved from the capsule are now on permanent display at the museum.
Kerrrobert time capsule items' history unveiled - Â鶹´«Ã½
The Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society is still working on refilling and replacing the time capsule for the next generation.
The summer included a deep clean of both museum and artifacts. Weekly writeups on historic moments from Kerrobert were provided to the Kerrobert Chronicle, as well as posted on the social media page. The jail cell display was rearranged and tour experiences for groups such as the community’s park program were another part of the work undertaken this summer.
The Kerrobert and District Historical Society was formed in 1969, with a purpose to begin and maintain a museum of pioneer effects. Originally housed on Railway Avenue, the museum incurred a few moves before settling i at Kerrobert’s 102-year-old courthouse.
However, as winter will soon be arriving, the society, at their Oct. 20 meeting, planned winter work. The children’s room in the living quarters continues to deteriorate and will require both repair and painting, meaning all items will be removed. Some of the items will be placed in the new toy room that is hoped to be ready for the festival of trees.
The KDHS is working together with the Courthouse Restoration Society to host an online 50/50 fundraiser.
The organization will once again apply for the Young Canada Works grant, but with diminishing funds, they will contact other organizations in the building to see if they have a need for a summer student who can work in various parts of the building.
The museum was the recipient of a recent donation of items from the Glass family and they will be placed in the 1930s timeline area. The Glass family was an important part of Kerrobert’s history, and they were an example of the many families who moved from the area during the depression.
The Town Room will soon have another display depicting the Club Café, and it will honour the many immigrant families who contributed to Kerrobert’s early success.
Although not a museum event, the festival of trees does encompass many parts of the Kerrobert Courthouse where the Christmas festival is held, organized and hosted by the Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society.
The historical society say they took in $240 from the sale of history books and remind folks that more of these books are still available.
Part of the intrigue with Kerrobert’s Museum comes from the rumoured tales of the Kerrobert Courthouse experiencing paranormal activity. While there will be no formal Halloween activity taking place at this location, these tales are certainly part of the history that encompasses Kerrobert.
