Western Development Museum - Story of People, Yorkton
About the Story of People WDM
The Yorkton Western Development Museum has recreated the times and styles of some of the many immigrants who settled in Western Canada, For it was here that sons and daughters from more than fifty cultural backgrounds around the world left their ancestral soil to take up residence in this new and often frightening land. Depicted at the Yorkton Branch are scenes which illustrate the cultural roots of many of these new peoples - Ukrainians, English, Swedes, Germans, Doukhobors and Icelanders - to name only a few. You can almost imagine yourself in the past as you view a Ukrainian home complete with white washed walls and clay oven; or a bedroom displaying the ornate woodwork that was the trademark of early 20th century craftsmen. Each scene is alive and tells its own story.
Phase one of the new commemorative centenary exhibits, Winning the Prairie Gamble: The Saskatchewan Story, are now open. Phase one is composed of the introductory section of the exhibits which sets the stage for provincehood. Four mannequins, a First Nations woman, a Métis man, a settler woman and a politician from 1905, tell of the events leading to the division of the North West Territories into the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. The events are recounted in an evocative blend of song and story, photographs and maps - available to Museum visitors with the push of a button.
Outdoors, the challenge of turning sod is demonstrated in the line up of agricultural equipment, which includes the gigantic 1916 Twin City gas tractor, one of only two in North America. As well, join us for the hiss of steam and the chug of gasoline engines as the Yorkton Threshermen's Club demonstrate their pioneer skills. Each year at the Threshermen's Show and Seniors festival these skilled people present such a great event that it was voted one of the top 100 attractions in North America by the American Bus Association.
Stop by the gift shop to discover a rich array of arts and crafts. From pottery to wheat straw weaving to Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) to books, the gift shop is a must.
Story of People has more to offer:
Picnic site on Museum grounds
Meeting rooms
Many displays throughout the summer
Gift Shop
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