Regina 
Saskatchewan’s Western Development Museums will turn 75 tomorrow, and the province is inviting residents and visitors to enjoy the storied museum, which holds more than 75,000 artifacts, for a 75-cent admission fee.
Credit: Western Development Museums
On April 2, 2024 will also mark the inaugural Western Development Museum Day.
According to the news release, this special recognition celebrates the museum’s pivotal role in preserving and narrating the rich tapestry of western Canada’s economic and cultural evolution through its facilities in North Battleford, Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Moose Jaw.
Established by the legislative act on April 2, 1949, WDM has become a custodian of Saskatchewan’s heritage, inviting the public to partake in its anniversary festivities.
The celebration promises a day filled with interactive and educational activities from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the museum’s history through unique seek and finds, historical video presentations, and, notably, a symbolic 75¢ admission fee. The highlight of the day includes serving cupcakes at 2:00 pm, promising a sweet treat for attendees (while supplies last).
“For 75 years, the WDM has been connecting people with Saskatchewan’s rich heritage,” WDM Board Chair Orlanda Drebit said in a statement. “Each WDM location offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and connect with our shared histories. We invite everyone to come and explore all the WDM has to offer as we look to the past and plan for the future.”
From the Diamond Seek and Find at Moose Jaw to Saskatoon’s 1949 Before and After Seek and Find to Yorkton’s rope-making demonstrations, each event is designed to reflect the WDM’s past and its significance in Saskatchewan’s cultural landscape. Heritage skills demonstrations, quilt displays, and the Boomtown Pursuit in Saskatoon offer a hands-on experience of the past.
The museum has introduced the 75th Anniversary Adventure Passports. This initiative, running from April 2, 2024, to April 2, 2025, invites visitors to collect stamps from each WDM location for a chance to win a special prize package, encapsulating the spirit of exploration and appreciation of Saskatchewan’s stories. All those who complete the passport will receive a WDM t-shirt (one per passport).
WDM 75th Anniversary Celebrations
When: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Where:
- WDM Moose Jaw, 50 Diefenbaker Dr, Moose Jaw
- WDM North Battleford, SK-16 &, SK-40, North Battleford
- WDM Saskatoon, 2610 Lorne Ave, Saskatoon
- WDM Yorkton, Highway 16A West, Yorkton
How Much: 75 cent admission
