Prince Albert Historical Society
10 River Street East S6V 8A9 Prince Albert, SK, Canada

On this day 40 years ago... Construction of École Vickers Public School on May 12th, 1981. Photo from the Prince Albert Daily Herald.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElgRERB-kQE

We are so lucky to have a print of this beautiful painting by Kim Neudorf in our summer exhibition on pandemics here in PA. The watercolour, showing the artist's daughter, was created for the #FacesofCanadianHealthCare Art Contest, in support of Victoria Hospital Foundation Check out the contest here - https://www.facesofcanadianhealthcare.com/

Allan Barsky was born in in 1922, moving to Prince Albert with his family as a small boy. As an adult he worked in his father's Blue Chain Department Store here in PA. He served as mayor for four terms from 1959-1960 and from 1963-1968. During his time in office he was honoured with many awards, including the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal! However, once of the most memorable events of Mayor Barsky's time in office was the La Colle Falls Bond Burning Ceremony. This was held on February 14, 1966 and celebrated the final payment of debt from the La Colle Falls project - leaving the city free from any debt related to the failed project. #MayorMonday

Remember to fill out your census! It is vitally important for archives. When you fill out your census, your future family members will have the chance to find out more about you. Think about the questions you have about past family members, your family will have the same...census information can help you find the answers!

Myrna Nagy is a well known figure here in Prince Albert - she was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1994, in 2015 she was given the Waskesiu Volunteer of the Year Award, and in 2019 was honoured with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal. Moving to PA when she was 5 years old, Myrna has since been involved with countless organizations here in PA and in Waskesiu - on top of being a business owner! Quoted in a 2019 Prince Albert Daily Herald article, Myrna said "It was easy to get involved. I've never been the type of person who could just sit still and not do anything." #FemmeFriday

One of my Prince Albert poems from my recent book, 'Riverlines.' Inspired by merchant James Clinkskill observing spring breakup on the North Saskatchewan River ...at Prince Albert in 1883. (Now that the deep freeze is relenting, we can dream of spring thaw ) Spring Breakup in P.A., 1883 In spring breakup the crack and fold of ice lifts it higher than houses. The low-slung sun glows green through ice floes folding, melting, spilling winter to the shameless current below. This is release, with liberties taken. Even where meltwater mires the boots in the field the yearning is higher than houses, and shame will just trickle away. Douglas Elves

Ask a Curator with Michelle!

If you missed our coaster weaving workshop yesterday, check out this video guiding you through how to complete the craft at home! Make a coaster? Share your photos with us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd-WzWDuKns&feature=youtu.be

Listen to Leah Dorion explain Metis culture in a 10 part series!

Curious about what a museum curator does? Join us this afternoon from 1-4 PM for a FREE tour of the Historical Museum and a chance to ask Michelle, our curator, all your burning questions! If you're not able to make it into the museum today join us for a Facebook Live with Michelle at 2:00 PM This photo was taken at the old museum location in Bryant Park (now known as Kinsmen Park) around 1973 - look at those fabulous volunteers!

Marion Sherman was born in Ontario in 1908 where she eventually graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Household Science. She moved to Prince Albert in 1942 and soon felt a need to improve the lives of people within the community. Marion became interested in improving the city’s streets and sidewalks, health, welfare, recreational and library facilities. In 1946 she worked with the Regional Libraries supervisor to establish the North Central Saskatchewan Re...gional Library, the first regional library in the province. When the public library and newly formed Regional Library moved into the former Prince Albert Club building in 1951, Marion served as the board chair until 1984. Marion also served as an alderman on Prince Albert’s city council from 1949 to 1982, helped organize the Prince Albert Health Region, and worked for senior citizens’ facilities, subsidized housing, and the establishment of a community service centre. Marion Sherman was awarded Prince Albert’s Citizen of the Year in 1960, a Saskatchewan Library Trustees’ Association Honorary Life Membership in 1975, and membership in the Order of Canada in 1978. She passed away in 1988. #FemmeFriday

PA Historical Society Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Did you know we also have volunteers that work in our museum collection? Cheryl is one of these lovely volunteers, and a relatively new addition to the Historical Society. She’s been volunteering here for just over a year, after overhearing that we needed some help with the collection. Being able to discover things she has never encountered before is one aspect that Cheryl really enjoys while volunteering especially reading old pamphlets on how things were done in the past ...and realizing that’s not how we do things now! She often finds things in our displays and collection storage space and is able to discover more about they were used for. As she grew up in Toronto, her first memory is visiting the Royal Ontario Museum as a child and being in complete awe over the Totem Pole there. She also shared a fabulous story about doing research for a school project at Black Creek Pioneer Village if you see her at the museum be sure to ask about it! Cheryl has always like museums, especially hands-on ones, so it makes sense that she loves volunteering in the collection! Are you interested in volunteering with the PAHS? Give us a call (306-764-2992) or email ([email protected]) for more information!

Our next Historic Holiday Baking video is now live - join Joanna in making Gingersnaps! Want to give this recipe a try? Send us your comments and photos! https://youtu.be/SRb4oX5kgy8

The Historical Society will be closed from 3 pm today due to the weather conditions Stay safe, everyone!

Prince Albert Winter Festival

Patiently waiting for the snow to melt so we can get back on our bikes. Any brave winter cyclists out there?

Today the Arts Centre is a central hub here in PA, but before it was the Arts Centre this building served a number of other purposes! What else did it used to house? There's a big hint in this postcard from 1920! #TriviaTuesday

This is the LAST weekend to buy raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three fabulous prizes! Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 and all proceeds go towards rebuilding the Nisbet Church and Blockhouse. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Historical Museum or digitally etransfers are accepted. For more information please call 306-764-2992, email [email protected], or send us a message here on Facebook. The draw will be made this coming Tuesday, December 15!

Bernice Sayese, or "Mama Bear" as she was known to many lived most of her life in Prince Albert and made a huge contribution to the community. Bernice spent most of her time volunteering and organizing community events. The list of the committees she belonged to is long but includes Play and Learn Daycare, the Saskatchewan Child Nutrition Network, and the Prince Albert Indian and Métis Friendship Center. She was a founding member of the Prince Albert and Area Community Found...ation, the Interval House Safe Shelter for Women and Children’s Haven. She will be most remembered for the Voices of the North talent show for which she was a founding member. Her goal was to showcase the talents of Indigenous populations from northern Saskatchewan. Not only did she present the Indigenous youth population with a platform to perform, but she also became a guardian angel over the performers. in 2002, Bernice was made Prince Albert Citizen of the Year and in 2006 she was posthumously inducted into the Council of Women Hall of Fame. You may recognize her name from the community centre on the West Flat - it's named after her! #FemmeFriday

#TriviaTuesday today comes from this "Prince Albert Wellness Test". Found in our collection of quizzes and scavenger hunts, this quiz was designed by the Prince Albert Tourism Marketing Department to test locals knowledge on how much they knew about the city. Here's an example from the 29 questions - think you know the answer? ;) Where can an R.V. owner park downtown? ... a. no where b. in the police parking lot c. Eaton's parking lot d. on Central Avenue e. in front of the Fire Control Centre City of Prince Albert Prince Albert Tourism

This decorative emblem, once hung above the front entrance to Central School, now lives in the Historical Museum! #MuseumMonday

Still looking for a gift for the history lover in your life? Lucky for you the Historical Museum gift shop is open & stocked with all sorts of books! Come by and see us on weekdays between 9 and 4 pm. #ShopLocalYPA @Prince Albert Downtown

Today we’re going to introduce you to longtime Historical Society volunteer Ken. Ken has been with the PAHS for around 15 years he replied to a call for volunteers in the Daily Herald and has been here ever since! As our resident picture guy, Ken enjoys seeing how his hometown has changed over the years. One of his favourite stories from the PAHS is receiving a box of negatives from the Anglican Diocese in Winnipeg. These turned out to be a collection of photos taken from... on top of the old water tower in around 1911! What’s Ken’s favourite part about being involved? The companionship of his fellow volunteers! When he was around 10 years old Ken remembers visiting the Historical Museum at its old home in Queen’s Bench Court building and how exciting it was to walk up the viaduct! He also remembers yearly visits to Lund’s Wildlife Exhibit and giving the black bear at the entrance a wide berth! Are you interested in volunteering with the PAHS? Give us a call (306-764-2992) or email ([email protected]) for more information!

Gertie Pratt was born in 1924 in Ordale, SK. Seeing her father's anger every Remembrance Day at the loss of his brother in the First World War, she was inspired to join the services. In 1941 when she was 17 she enlisted in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service where she was assigned to a top secret wireless station! In 2017 Gertie was honoured during the Prince Albert Grand Council's Remembrance Day ceremonies. At that time she was thought to be the oldest Indigenous woman veteran in Saskatchewan. #FemmeFriday

The first Presbyterian Church & School is the oldest remaining building in Prince Albert it was built in 1872! It was built by Reverend James Nisbet and served as a church until 1881. It is believed to the second-oldest surviving church in Saskatchewan. At 30 feet by 21 feet, the church would have been able to fit 120 seated parishioners, but it would have been cosy! The original location was likely close to 1st Ave West, near the Bank of Ottawa building and A&W. In 1931 it... was moved to the north end of Kinsmen Park. Want to experience one of PA’s oldest buildings for yourself? Buy a raffle ticket in support of the PAHS fundraiser to rebuild both the Blockhouse and Church! Tickets can be purchased in person at the Historical Museum or digitally etransfers are accepted. For more information please call 306-764-2992 or email [email protected]

Anyone else going through butter like nothing with all the holiday baking? I know I could use this, seen in the 1919 Farm & Ranch Review! #HistoricAdvertisement #HolidayBaking

Hello PA & Area Educators! The PAHS is currently surveying teachers to create new museum resources to be used in classrooms and here in the museums - please help us to create engaging and meaningful programs that you can use with your students. Fill out this survey and be entered to win a free program hosted by the Historical Society: https://forms.gle/vhwQaVw3ahxsA7Fz6

Fashion Friday! Love these shoes! From the Dr. C.H. and Lenore Andrews Virtual Museum of the Prince Albert Historical Society. A pair of black patent pumps wit...h brown trim and cuban heel. Worn in the 1970s. Inscription on insole of both shoes in gold: St. George Shoe. Accession No. 1986.0203.07. Visit the Virtual Museum here: https://www.historypa.com/discover/virtual_museum.html #fashionhistory #saskatchewan

For #FemmeFriday this week we look at the amazing Marge Nainaar - the founder of what is now the Prince Albert Multicultural Council. Marge moved to Saskatchewan from Durban, South Africa in 1969. As a newcomer, she recognized the need for services to help other people settling in the area. Her aim was to interact with all Canadians, strengthening cultural diversity ties within the community. She was a founding member and President of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and of the Saskatchewan Association for Multiculturalism. Among the many awards Marge was given for her community contributions, she was named Prince Albert's Citizen of the Year in 2000.

Today we'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the Prince Albert Historical Society Team - our Museum Educator Joanna. Joanna's only been with the PAHS for a couple months, and in that time she's really enjoyed getting to know all the fantastic volunteers and learning more about PA’s history. In her time here so far, her favourite artifact is the chamber pot in the Historical Museum because she loves hearing the creative answers from visitors on what they think it was used for! Joanna’s first museum memory is seeing the beautiful natural history dioramas at the Royal Alberta Museum! Looking to book a tour or learn more about the educational programming we offer at the PAHS? Joanna is the person to chat to!

Who else had Corn Flakes for breakfast?

Unfortunately the Prince Albert Historical Society has made the difficult decision to cancel our Remembrance Day opening. Stay safe & warm out there!

For #TriviaTuesday this week we are getting out of the museum! The train bridge is PA's oldest bridge - how many concrete supports does it have?

The Prince Albert Historical Society is saddened to hear about the loss of NHL player Jim Neilson, who was raised here in PA and is featured in our sports display. Read more about his life and legacy in the NHL here:https://nationalpost.com//jim-neilson-who-went-from-a-p-a-