Family Fun at Heritage Days – Waskesiu Heritage Museum

A table top model of a shack tent complete with miniature furnishings can be assembled by visitors.

On Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 10:30 to 1:30, are the annual Heritage Day activities – old fashioned fun for the whole family. Many of the displays, like the wash day exhibit and spinning raw yarn, will be animated. Children’s a ctivities include a fish pond, sack races, and bubblemaking. Treats like popcorn, popcorn balls, candy apples, and ice box lemonade are available for nominal “old time” prices. Entrance to the museum and activities are free.

Special, free activities for the 10 anniversary this year are the serving of anniversary cake at 12:30 and a heritage movie presentation at 1:00. Showing across the street at the Twin Pines Cinema, “The Parting of the Waterways” will be shown. Filmed in the 1930s by local business owners Charles and Augustus Cowles, this charming, 30 minute long film depicts the early days in Prince Albert National Park. Originally a silent movie, it has been digitized with music and a commentary added for this special viewing.

The film was made by Charles and Augusta Cowles who ran a general store and fur trading business in Sturgeon Valley, 150 kilometers south of the Park. In 1928, the summer when the Park was officially opened, they were contracted to furnish supplies and groceries for the thousands of visitors who came. This was a challenge given the quality of the roads and vehicles of the time and the volume of visitors. It was a very busy time for the Cowles. Just imagine supplying gallons of ice cream in a vintage truck with no refrigeration from miles away over the three day opening activities!
The Cowles travelled extensively in North America and made films of their travels. In those pre

Information Bulletin television days, people would attend music recitals, concerts, speakers or films in small local halls. The Cowles would charge twenty five cents to watch this film and then donate the
proceeds to their favourite charity, the Red Cross. To learn more about the Cowles, the Museum has a copy of his fascinating journal as well as the sun dial he donated to the Park. This handsome artifact, commemorating the Park opening, saton a rock cairn on the Main Beach for many years.

The museum is located on Waskesiu Drive across from the local cinema in a heritage log building, the former Park Information Services and Warden building.

During the summer months, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. staffed by competent volunteers and a student guide

Donations and purchase of kayak raffle tickets are appreciated.
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Information about the museum is available on the mobile friendly website www.waskesiuheritagemuseum.org

Volunteer help is always welcome by this active, dedicated organization.

The Waskesiu Heritage Museum is grateful for support from the Hire-a-student grant program, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries

Heritage Day activities are Saturday, August 8 from 10:30 to 1:30 at the Waskesiu Heritage Museum:

Old fashioned fun activities for the whole family
Old time treats available
10th anniversary cake at 12:30
Special screening of The Parting of the Waterways filmed in the 1930s about Prince Albert National Park at 1:00 in Twin Pine Cinemas

by Prince Albert National Park

Family Fun at Heritage Days – Waskesiu Heritage Museum

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