Museums
Museums
Bonnyville & District Museum
The Bonnyville & District Museum will be hosting two unique displays this year. In July the “100 Dresses” installation, which profiles the history of Alberta through dresses, will be at the Museum. In August the 100th Anniversary of the Alberta Labour Movement will be celebrated with another travelling provincial display.
Visitors can also enjoy two new additions to the museum – the Antique Photo Studio Exhibit inside and the Red Toy Train on the grounds outside. Take the time to stroll through the 13 buildings and picturesque three-acre grounds housing a collection of artifacts depicting the development and settling of the Bonnyville Region.
On site are two churches, the Durlingville Schoolhouse, the 1920s Vallee Store, an expansive hospital exhibit, and Angus Shaw’s 1789 North West Company post. The Main Building is home to the 1940s Poitras Collection of folk-art and a working display of post-war Lionel model trains. A seven-meter high statue of Angus Shaw, a late 1700s fur trader and explorer, reminds us of Shaw’s contributions to the development of western Canada.
Open daily, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., in June, July and August.
Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., in May, September and October.
Open off-season by appointment.
Admission - Adult: $3, Child: $1, Family $7.
Located at 4401 – 54 Avenue.
For more information phone 780.826.4925.
Cold Lake Air Force Museum/Cold Lake Museum
The Cold Lake Museum site is designated as a historic resource by the province because a Cold War era radar station was once housed within its walls. The Canadian Forces have taken over a portion of the buildings to depict their military history in the region. Aboriginal, Heritage and Oil and Gas profiles fill up the rest of the rooms. New displays added last year include a life-size F-18 decoy and a Forward Looking Infrared Pod (FLIR).
Visitors can learn how to start up an F-18 engine, view the radar equipment that protected North America during the Cold War or sit in the cockpit of a mock Starfighter (CF-104) in the Air Force gallery.
Discover the unique technology developed specifically for the Cold Lake oil sands in the Oil and Gas Gallery. Trace the history of the Dene Suline and Cree Nations living on the shores of Cold Lake in the Aboriginal Gallery.
The first Europeans arrived in Cold Lake in the 18th Century. The Heritage Gallery contains the artifacts and storyline of that era, as well as the civilian history of the last century.
Open May long weekend to Labour Day
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Open by appointment in the off season.
For more information contact 780.594.3546
www.coldlakeairforcemuseum.com
Located on Highway 28 North, east of the Tri-City Mall.
Homestead Museum
The Homestead Museum located at the Cold Lake M.D. Campground features an original 1914 log homestead and the Rat Lake Post Office built in 1931. Artifacts in the buildings have been donated by our first pioneers. Open by appointment only.
Contact Linda at 780.639.2162 or during the summer season Sharon at 780.639.4121.