Past Exhibits

January 12 to June 22: Discover what adults and children did for fun in Okotoks during the good old days before television and computers. Swimming or skating at the river, playing sports, and attending local dances were among the favourite pastimes. Residents were also kept busy with community bands, bridge clubs, literary societies, and fraternal organizations. This exhibit proved there was no time to be bored!

January 12 to June 1: Love truly conquers all as illustrated in this exhibit where we shared local tales of love and romance -some tender, some humorous. Wedding dresses from the museum's collection were also on display. 

January 12 to April 17: This exhibit featured some of the great research by 2018 summer student Caylee Dzurka, who delved into local burial traditions as well as some fascinating burial practices around the world. It also included the histories of the early churches in Okotoks. 

March 2 to August 30: The large brick school, which opened its doors up on the hill in 1912, was featured in the museum's classroom exhibit on the second floor. This exhibit included stories, class photos, and memories of both teachers and students who attended there. It also featured a collection of school yearbooks as well as artifacts from time capsules placed in the school. 

April 20 to October 31: Where's Norma? Where's Kew? What about Sandstone? This exhibit featured some of the long-forgotten places in the Foothills. It also shared how communities in this district got their names. 

June 6 to August 30: On D-Day, June 6, 1944, nearly 150,000 Allied troops participated in the invasion of Normandy, France, including 14,000 Canadians at Juno Beach. This exhibit honoured the 75th anniversary of D-Day and recognized the pivotal role of Canadians in the campaign. Particular focus was on the servicemen from the Okotoks area and their contributions. Additional stories and artifacts from World War II rounded out this exhibit. 

June 29 to November 9: In 1907, the Okotoks Board of Trade published a 46-page brochure entitled "Okotoks -The Eldorado of South Alberta." The brochure's intent was to encourage residential and commercial development in the town, boldly extolling the unlimited potential that existed in Okotoks and the surrounding district. This brochure formed the basis of the museum's summer exhibit, utilizing text and photographs to capture what Okotoks was like in 1907. Artifacts from that era were also featured. 

September 7 to December 21: Following on the heels of the summer exhibit 'The Okotoks Upper School' came a new exhibit on 'The Okotoks Lower School.' This brick school was located below the hill and served the lower grades from 1900 to 1970. 

September 7 to November 9: World War II began 80 years ago on September 1, 1939. To honour the anniversary of the start of the war, this exhibit looked at the local contribution to the war effort both at the front and at home. A highlight of this exhibit was a display of WWII model aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels from October 22 to November 9. 

October 18 to November 9: October 18, 2019 marked the 90th anniversary of The Person's Case. This exhibit looked at the work of the Famous Five and how this landmark decision affected Canadian women, including those in Okotoks. 

January 9 to April 28: The building that houses the Okotoks Museum and Archives has been home to many families. This exhibit will profile a few of its early residents as well as celebrate the heart of the home – the kitchen and the living room – where families gathered for good food and good company.

January 9 to June 30: This exhibit is the perfect prescription for learning about the town’s early doctors and druggists. It will feature Dr. A. E. Ardiel who served the community for over 40 years as well as Doctors Janet and Morris Gibson who thought Okotoks must be an ‘OK’ place to set up their medical practice.

Until November 11: This exhibit began in August 2014 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and will continue until November 11, 2018 which will be the 100th anniversary of the war’s end. During its four-year run, the exhibit will mirror the key events of the war as they unfolded on the battlefield and on the home front.

May 1 to September 3: 

“Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday,
Mend on Wednesday, Churn on Thursday,
Clean on Friday, Bake on Saturday, Rest on Sunday.”
Pioneering housewives followed a weekly routine to complete their mundane chores, starting with ‘Wash Day’ on Monday. And after a day of rest, they did it all over again.

This exhibit pays homage to the tireless housewife and features stories and artifacts to remind us of their weekly toil.

May 1 to September 3: This exhibit salutes the courageous, optimistic homesteader who ventured west with a simple desire to make a better life for himself and his family. Homesteading proved to be back-breaking work; it challenged their faith, tested their mettle and questioned their sanity. Artifacts and photographs help illustrate their stories.

July 1 to November 10: Discover the natural and human history of the Sheep River Valley. This exhibit focuses on the vital role the river has played in our community’s history and continues to have in present-day. Photographs and artifacts will illustrate the importance of the river as a water source, for recreation and industry as well as for wildlife that reside in the valley.

This exhibit complements the free, guided Sheep River Walks which are hosted each year in Okotoks.

September 8 to November 10: Okotoks was hard hit during the Great Depression when residents learned to make do or do without. This exhibit will focus on the desperate era of dust and drought and of rationing and riding the rails. It will also share remarkable stories of human kindness and triumph in the face of adversity.​

November 16 to December 21: Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas at the Okotoks Museum and Archives. Rooms will be filled with the sights, sounds and memories of a heritage Christmas.

January 14 to December 20: Whether by trail or by rail, early settlers came to Okotoks with boundless hope and determination. They all have stories to tell. The Macleod Trail, stagecoaches and the arrival of the railroad had a significant impact on Okotoks.

January 14 to May 1: "From the Ground Up" -Early business and industries that relied on natural resources.

May 2 to September 11: "Have You Heard the News?" -Newspapers, telephone, mail, radio and TV helped keep us informed.

September 12 to November 12: "Setting up Shop" -Small businesses where the backbone of the community. 

January 14 to June 30: "Policing the West" -Northwest Mounted Police, Alberta Police, and RCMP.

July 1 to November 12: "Fire! Fire!" -Major fires in Okotoks and the fire department that keeps us safe.

January 14 to May 1: "I Do Belong" -Churches, clubs and wedded bliss.

May 2 to October 30: "The Games We Play" -Our favourite sports and pastimes. 

October 31 to December 20: "School Days" -The one-room school. 

January 14 to June 30: Okotoks & World War I.

April 1 to June 30: The 100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

July 1 to December 20: From the Boer War to Afghanistan. 

January 14 to June 30: "Government Representation" and "Okotoks Loves a Party"

July 1 to September 11: "Remembering 1967" and "Water, Power, and Gas"

September 12 to December 20: "Mail Order Catalogue"

November 17 to December 20: "A Heritage Christmas"

Almost 1,000 people contributed to the year-long sticky note project in the museum’s attic. Our large picture window was the perfect canvas for a Canada flag made from sticky notes, each bearing a short sentence why we love Canada.

Here’s a small sampling of the notes: I Love Canada Because …

“We are safe, accepted and FREE.”

“It is the friendliest place on earth.”

“It is beautiful.”

“of the snow.”

“of great maple syrup and poutine.”

“of our friendly people.”

“beauty, diversity, freedom.”

“We are free and enjoy unmatched natural beauty.”

“We don’t have Trump or really big spiders.”

“I’m free to be me.”

“it is my home.”

2016 marks the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in Alberta. On April 19, 1916 Alberta became the third province in Canada to allow women the right to vote, behind Manitoba (January 18, 1916) and Saskatchewan (March 14, 1916).

Women across the province had been meeting, often covertly, for months to gather community support for te suffrage movement. Publicly these meetings were disguised at 'Pink Teas', book club gatherings or bridge parties, but in truth were rallies to support women's suffrage. This temporary exhibit explored the local suffrage movement leading up to winning the right to vote and the right for women to hold office. The exhibit also celebrated the Okotoks women who have served in public office.

The 'Pink Tea' opening reception began at 1:00pm. Presentation at 2:00pm. 

"Just Wait Five Minutes...or 15,000 Years" was a temporary exhibit that examined the weather's impact on Okotoks and its people. How did the Ice Age influence the local landscape, why do we get Chinooks, and how have residents coped with the ever-changing and often unforgiving rain, drought, hail, snow, and wind? The exhibit included fossils from before the Ice Age which illustrate that this region's climate was quite different than it is today. Environmental monitoring equipment, on loan from Environment Canada, was also on display.

"Alberta and the Great War" was a travelling exhibit developed by the Provincial Archives of Alberta in Edmonton. Drawing upon the PAA's vast archival holdings, "Alberta and the Great War" explored the many ways the First World War affected and changed the province.

The museum was pleased to bring this exhibit to Okotoks which falls on the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Mont Sorrel; both of which were key victories for the Canadian Corps.

Okotoks has, historically, been home to some unique businesses. Millineries, creameries, flour mills, and liveries were among the specialized stores that served the Okotoks community in the early 1900s. However, these businesses have since been lost from our landscape. Some were destroyed by fire, and others simply became obsolete or victims of change. Using maps, photos, and newspaper advertisements, this exhibit helped recreate the streetscape of "Lost Okotoks."

The great immigration of the early 1900's brought dozens of families to Okotoks seeking a better life in the "Last, Best West." Are their stories much different than the great wave of recent immigrants who are making Okotoks their new home? This exhibit featured the stories of early immigrants as well as encouraged recent newcomers to share their stories.

The theme for the 2015 International Museum Day (May 18) was "Museums for a Sustainable Society." We turned the day into a temporary exhibit which explored the history of living within our means --from the depression to Okotoks' sustainable vision --with a goal of inspiring change. This exhibit also promoted public awareness about the need for a society that is less wasteful, more cooperative, and uses resources in a way that respects the environment.

The indelible spirit and unwavering determination of early farmers and homesteaders was celebrated in this exhibit which focused on the early farming history of the Okotoks area. The exhibit opened in the spring, just in time for planting season, and continued right up to the Thanksgiving weekend when farmers were harvesting their crops.

Canada at Play was a travelling exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum and included some of our favourite games and toys over the past 130 years. Topics included Winter Sports; At Home; Hand-made and Factory-made Toys; and Educational Toys.

To complement this exhibit, the second floor of the museum featured an array of artifacts from our collection that illustrated Okotoks residents at play.

A special exhibit to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II was on display in conjunction with the ongoing Okotoks and World War I exhibit. This temporary exhibit included some never before seen photographs by World War II photographer, the late Mac McLellan of Okotoks.

This semi-permanent exhibit explored Okotoks' special landscape, compelling characters and bright future. Photos, text panels, and artifacts helped bring to life the stories of the town's rich natural and cultural heritage. The two main floors of the museum focussed on such topics as early immigration, domestic life, education and commerce, as well as the Big Rock and the Sheep River.

2014 marked the 130th anniversary of mail service in Okotoks. The first post office in Okotoks was established in February of 1884 and was located in the stopping house operated by J.A. Macmillan (near the present day train bridge). It was one of the first nine post offices to establish in the district of Alberta, North West Territories.

Early immigrants to Okotoks brought a variety of Christmas traditions with them from their homeland. Many of these hoilday traditions have now become standard in homes across North America. This temporary museum exhibit celebrated these Christmas traditions and the history behind them. 

Many early immigrants came to Western Canada with the hopes of providing a better life for their families. This is the common thread woven into the stories of local families who demonstrated an unwavering spirit of adventure, patience, and persistence. These stories of Okotoks families were awe-inspiring -from their long ocean voyages to their first impressions of the barren prairie.

The theme for this year's International Museum Day on May 18 is "Museums (Memory + Creativity) = Social Change." How do museums deal with Canada's not-so-politically-correct history? We don't brush it under the carpet but share it as part of our history. This exhibit included some of Canada's not-so-proud past including immigration policies, internments, and residential schools. Sharing history, warts and all, promotes awareness and helps lead to social change.

This exhibit celebrated our relationship with the Sheep River, including its vital role in our community's history and in our present lives. The exhibit aimed to provide visitors with a multi-layered understanding of the Sheep River (geologically, environmentally, culturally, and socially), and to improve awareness and appreciation for its existence.

Provincial Archives Week is from September 28 to October 5 and this year's theme is fashion. We extended the week into a month-long exhibit on some of the fabulous (and frightful) fashions from the museum's artifact collection...from spats to hats and everything in between. It also featured a number of photographs from our archive collection that illustrate the fashions worn in Okotoks over the years.

This exhibit honoured the men and women from the Okotoks district who served in the First and Second World Wars and also acknowledges the efforts made by those who remained on the home front. Care packages, letters and photographs from World War II were featured.

Twas the month before Christmas and all through the museum...were the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas. The museum celebrated the season with an exhibit featuring the traditions, toys, and memories of how early Christmases were celebrated in Okotoks. If you've heard of 'The Elf on a Shelf', you will enjoy the collection of elves that were hidden among our museum exhibits.

The Okotoks landscape was once dotted by five grain elevators that for decades served the agricultural community. These prairie sentinels have all vanished. This exhibit complemented the art exhibits on display at the Okotoks Art Gallery.

International Museum Day on May 18 helped launch a new temporary exhibit at the museum. The theme of this year's event is "Museums in a Changing World: New Challenges, New Inspiration." Our museum exhibit focussed on how our community has changed and how everyday objects have changed, including how we listen to music, talk on the phone, iron our clothes and take photographs.

Okotoks was one of the first eight communities in Alberta to connect to natural gas in 1912. What a difference that made in the lives of our residents. This exhibit celebrated 100 years of gas in Okotoks and also linked to the Atco Gas celebration entitled "Our 100 Days of Summer Centennial Tour."

The museum marked Alberta Archives Week by displaying some of the unique items that highlight this year's theme, "Archives and the Creative Process." Okotoks residents were a creative bunch, from playing in the 1906 community band to writing poetry. The exhibit featured photographs as well as early artwork, hand-made cards, and beautifully illustrated autograph albums.

This exhibit honoured the men and women from the Okotoks district who served in the First and Second World Wars and also acknowledged the efforts made by those who remained on the home front. This year, special tribute was made to those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

The holiday season marked an old-fashioned Christmas at the museum. This exhibit featured the traditions and stories of how early Christmases were celebrated in Okotoks.