Lots of unique artifacts at the museum
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- Published on Thursday, July 21, 2016
By Lea Heschuck
Beautiful Plains Museum
If you haven’t visited the Beautiful Plains Museum yet this year, or have never visited the museum at all, I strongly recommend coming for a tour. This is my third year as curator of the Beautiful Plains Museum and I am still finding artifacts that I haven’t noticed before because there is so much to see. A few of my favorite artifacts on display are the hand carved model ship, moustache cups, Edison phonograph and photograph of a moose team.
During WWII, prisoners of war (POW) captured by Canadians were transported to Canada. The largest POW camps in Canada were located in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, while smaller camps were scattered throughout the country. In 1942 there was a firewood shortage, so it was decided that the POWs would be put to work to help combat this problem. On Oct. 26, 1943, 440 German POWs were brought to the newly made Whitewater POW Camp near Lake Audy in Riding Mountain National Park to cut logs for firewood. A German POW carved the model ship on display in the military room out of wood during his time at the Whitewater POW Camp.
Many of the European, male first settlers had large moustaches, this made tasks such as drinking tea difficult as their moustaches would go into their drink. Luckily, moustache cups were invented to shield men’s moustaches from being dipped into their drink. There are three moustache cups on display in the jewelry and watch-making exhibit at the museum.
The Edison phonograph is located in the log cabin room. The log cabin room portrays how the early settlers lived, in a small, one room home. The phonograph in the log cabin room is from the late 1800s and has a beautifully painted floral horn that projected the music it played. Phonographs played cylinders, which are about the same size as a coke can and were the earlier version of records.
Last but not least of my favorite artifacts in the museum is the photograph of a moose team, which is located in our photo display. The picture shows two moose pulling a man on a small cart passing through Riding Mountain while on the way to the Brandon Fair in 1905. Along with the photo, we have the story of how the moose team came to be, as well as its demise.
Stop by the Beautiful Plains Museum to read about and view the photo of the moose team as well as the model ship, moustache cups and phonograph! The museum is located at 91 Hamilton St. in the former CN Railway Station and is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, and 1pm – 5pm Saturday, Sunday and Stat. holidays. Admission is by donation and the building is air-conditioned. I hope to see you at the museum!
