Powerful stories and memories surround the objects we keep. When these treasures and curiosities are donated to a museum, their associated stories also become a valuable part of the community’s collective memory. The fascination of historic objects is one of the foundations for museum collections. There is intrigue in the vaults of a museum!

The Galt's Cultural History Collection reflects stories of commerce, immigration, education, community services, religion, transportation, military service, diversity and the personal lives of individuals who chose to live in southwestern Alberta.

Staff, Board members, volunteers and Galt supporters from the community explored the Collection database and shelves and choose their favourite artifacts for display in this exhibit. An interesting selection is guaranteed!

Objects make us wonder… "Who made this? Where was it made and used? What stories are there about the people associated with the object? Are the stories happy or sad, inspiring or confusing?"

A model of the solar system is an interesting mechanical apparatus until…

...we hear the story of a teacher who tried to help his father understand the workings of our galaxy with limited success. When the father visited the son’s classroom his son cranked the handle to make the planets revolve around the sun. The teacher remembers, “My father broke out into peals of laughter and pleasure. I could see by the gleam in his dark, brown eyes that he had finally understood something which had eluded him for a long time.”

Stories triggered by objects are not all happy memories. A bedpan sent home with a convalescing new mother proved deadly. The simple piece of hospital equipment was contaminated and the mother contracted an infection and died, leaving a widower and tiny twin babies.

You don't want to miss this exhibit!