High Prairie & District Museum
5301-49 Street T0G 1E0 High Prairie, AB, Canada

Effective December 13, 2020 the High Prairie & District Museum will be temporarily closed as part of Alberta’s stronger health measures. These measures will be in place for a minimum of 4 weeks. The safety of our visitors and staff are top priority. Please watch our social media accounts for updates on our facility. Thank you!

Where the North Begins Out where the winter lasts a little bit longer. Where the Frost King’s grasp is a wee bit stronger. That’s where the North begins. ... Where the snow that fall gets deeper and deeper, and you wish you could buy good socks much cheaper, and the stress on your purse gets steeper and steeper; That’s where the North begins. Out where your garments must all be woollen , And the covers on your bed are all heaped and swoolen; that’s where the North begins. Where you get up in the morning with the lark; And you work for three or four hours in the dark; Yes, one has to do it to get a good start. Out where the North begins. Out where we’re thankful for five months of warm weather; Where man and Nature must all pull together. That’s where the North begins. Where you’ve got to dig in just like a good fellow, and there’s no room for man with the streak that is yellow, For to make good out here, you can’t sit down and bellow. That’s where the North begins. - Lila McCue High Prairie, Alta April 17, 1924 Lila McCue was one of the early settlers to the High Prairie area. She was a midwife and a healer and would document her life here through poetry. Note: streak that is yellow is a reference to cowardliness. Though this year has had many changes and challenges for all we are reminded by this poem of the strength and endurance of this community. Stay safe High Prairie and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year! Happy Holidays! the High Prairie & District Museum

Christmas calendars from our archives. The first three photos are of calendars from 1940! #vintagecalendar #holidaycalendar #handdrawn #albertaarchives #highprairiehistory

New Christmas and winter themed pieces in from @michelleolanskiphotography and @tiger_lily_spa_ Come in and support these talented artists before lockdown! We are open to 5:30 on Friday. Hope to see you soon. Note: masks are mandatory and we have been very diligent in cleaning the surfaces after each guest. ... #madeinalberta #highprairiealberta #albertaartist #albertacraft #albertabathbombs

Some select Christmas ornaments from our collections. Did you know that the red cardinal in a Christmas tree symbolizes a lost love one? The bell is more of a representation of the sound it makes. It symbolizes leading lost ones back home. ... The shape of baubles originates from the fruit and nuts that used to decorate trees in the 1600s. This particular bauble is made from mercury glass. #christmashistory #didyouknow #decorations #christmascardinal #christmasbells #mercuryglass