PREECEVILLE - The Preeceville and District Heritage Museum officially closed on September 5 after a busy season, stated Agnes Murrin, chairperson of the museum board.
Even when closed the museum continues to bring in new artifacts that need to be entered and catalogued, so someone from the board will often be in the museum.
“If visitors see us there, they will often stop in, this happened recently when we had six visitors, some from Oregon. That is why we say officially closed versus totally closed because as long as it is warm enough you might catch one of us there,” said Murrin.
The museum’s busy season started with a thorough spring cleaning. With 25 rooms and numerous artifacts, it is a large task. The projects that got done this year saw the cover built over the CN wagon, some new shelves, casings added to some doorways, the large stained glass window (which museum members were told came from a Roman Catholic Church) was mounted in the Church room, and there was also cataloguing of many artifacts.
“Some artifacts that came in this year included: a 1922 Preeceville School field day ribbon; a baseball uniform from a Champion Preeceville team; 4H items and animal showing items and ribbons; reel, re-winder and film splicer from our own Grand Theatre; curling sweaters with pins; wedding outfits; marriage certificate from 1848; Swedish clothing; older Preeceville papers which we really like to get and numerous pictures. We really appreciate these artifacts as they are the history of our town and area and its residents,” continued Murrin.
The community was very supportive of the museum’s fundraising efforts which included: sale of chili and homemade bread, hamburger sale at the outdoor market, and the sale of the history book, Lines of the Past.
Another wish that was accomplished this year was to have a small display of the Saskatchewan tartan. “Our tartan incorporates all the colors that represent Saskatchewan and of course is quite attractive.”
Even though the season has just ended, board members are already looking ahead to 2022.
“Some things that we need to get done include some more painting and landscaping, and to re-cover the clay oven with clay and straw. This needs to be done every few years and 2022 will be when it is planned,” stated Murrin.
“The Museum board would like to thank the community for the donation of the many artifacts as well as all the support in 2021.We would like to encourage everyone in 2022 to come and see your museum,” she concluded.
