Now that all of this rain has stopped it feels like Summer is finally allowed to come in and say hello for a bit. This means great things for the museum. When the High School lets out, we will add one more employee, extending our hours and ability to help you.

The hours for now will be:

Monday 12:00 pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday - Friday 8:00 am- 5:00pm

Closed Saturday and Sundays: but can do tour with a phone call

Starting July 4th the hours will be:

Monday 12:00 pm-8:00 pm
Tuesday-Saturday 9am-6:00 pm

We are really excited to be open Saturdays! My favourite part will be the new late night Mondays. Come on in for a family friendly tour for all ages!

When we have the opportunity, we love to interview the older folks in the area about their memories of  Magrath. It is my favourite part about this job and it  is extremely inspiring. I was recently reading through some old interviews for some research and came across this:


“For me, Magrath has provided all the things I consider necessary for a happy life: Close family ties; good neighbours; long lasting friendships; excellent schools and teachers; freedom of worship; super doctors; wonderful recreation facilities and a short drive to interesting and picturesque places to visit and relax.  Home is where the heart is and mine will always be in Magrath, the Garden City.”
- Blair S.



I found it to be fascinatingly accurate. As someone who did not get to be raised here, it is hard to explain to other people why there is such a need within myself to come "home" to Magrath. How can it be home when I only lived here four months of the year? I believe it is because of the above statement. My heart is here. 

Here at the Museum we have over 3,000 photos! As I am organizing the photos, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be in the photos with these people I see. In the 1930's everyone dressed so classy. The 50's had great times and even pictures from 10 years ago show a different life than what we know now. 

There is so much to remember and recall, and nothing says it better than a good photo. One of my personal favourites of the day is the following:
 This is a moment I would love to have seen live. 

Hello Museum Followers!

Currently we are working on getting an interactive kids page where they can find word searches, colouring pages, and a list of things to find when they come tour the museum.

Also we are hoping to get past and current board members information up. Keep your eye out and thanks for stopping by!

For the younger generations, they might not remember The Magrath Trading Company Store News. However, if you were born before the 1990's you are probably in them. While filing these store news I have had a blast going through and reading them. It is interesting to see what the clothes looked like they were advertising. It was phenomenal doing a price comparison, and I was stunned at how specific they were! 

I was lucky enough to find my own parents wedding and it told me the bridesmaids, groomsmen, the colors of the wedding, who attended and there is simply loads of things to learn.

Come on in and check them out. You never know what you mind find.

Here at the museum we have a lot of stories and documents turned in that need to be read through and typed on to the database so that they can be shared with you. The stories are always a good read, however some stick out in my mind. This particular section is a list of Assets that the Magrath Board of Trade in 1911 made. One hundred years later and I believe we have added to that list.

Here it is, enjoy!


A Few of Magrath Assets- 1898-1910This list of assets of the Garden City were compiled by the Magrath Board of Trade in 1911.

1. The officers of the Board of Trade consisted of President - D.H. Bingham, Vice President - S.R. Wright, Secretary - D.W. Bingham
2. Magrath has a new Town Hall which cost $8,000.00.
3. Magrath has vast coal mines which only lack the capital to yield enormous profits to the investor.
4. Magrath has a splendid new building erected for school costing $40,000.
5. Magrath has a Brass Band and athletic association and a Public Library will soon be established.
6. Annually Magrath holds one of the best Fall Fairs in the province conducted under auspices of the Agricultural Society.
7. Magrath has a population of 1,500 people and is but nine years old.
8. Magrath is situated on the main line of the A.R. & I, (Alberta Railroad and Irrigation Company) and is an important centre of traffic.
9. Magrath has a printing and publishing house which issues a weekly paper and does all kinds of commercial printing in first class style.
10. Magrath has been styled the “Garden City of Southern Alberta” for within her boundaries are shade and ornamental trees and vast numbers of small and large fruit trees and bushes.
11. Magrath has excellent church advantages.
12. Magrath holds the Magnificent $125 silver cup offered for the best barley grown in the province.
13. Magrath has many good substantial business concerns including department stores, confectionery stores, meat markets, hardware, boot and shoe service, harness and leather goods, restaurants and hotels.
14. Magrath has a modern brick and tile works.
15. Magrath has a first class telephone service both local and long distance.
16. Magrath’s located directly in the path of the famous Chinook winds which gives it a climate even in the deaths of winter more desirable than semi-tropical Florida??
17. Magrath has two up-to-date lumber yards.
18. Magrath has three blacksmith shops and iron works.
19. Magrath is a prime livestock district of Alberta.
20. Magrath has numerous well-kept lawns and beautiful residences.
21. Magrath is the shipping point of all the big ranching concerns situated south and southwest of.

A quick tour of the Magrath Museum displays via slideshow circa 2010. See the website at magrathmuseum.ca

This video just speaks Magrath to me. Created by Mr John Novotny of Magrath, Alberta in 2009 /rdd

We welcome Cori to our staff this summer. She will be working with the Museum developing web content and running some of the computers.

Hello Fellow Magrathites. While I was not completely raised here I have roots that go back to the beginning and am related to approximately 99% of the town. That is the beauty of Magrath,  once you are here you are connected for life. That is my goal this summer, to get people to appreciate that connection. There is so much history that makes us who we are today. From stories of working, playing, pranking, and simply living there is so much to learn from and preserve. Come on in for a tour and see what we are talking about!