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Chauvin Museum, 4810 1 Avenue, Chauvin, AB (2026)

09/02/2026

As students return to school this September, it's fascinating to look at what "back to school" meant for children growing up around Chauvin, Ribstone, and the surrounding districts a century ago.

For prairie children in the mid-1920s, the school day often began long before the first lesson. Chores had to be completed before leaving home. Cows were milked, livestock fed, wood carried, and water hauled. Only then could children begin the journey to school.

Many students walked for miles across open prairie. Others travelled by horseback, horse and buggy, or sleigh during the winter months. Esther Lasell remembered beginning school at Roros School in 1924 and making the two-mile trip with her mother by buggy in summer and by sleigh in winter. Her father had a rule that if it was colder than -40℉ (-40 ℃), she was not allowed to go to school. Later, Esther saved her money and bought an Eatonia bicycle and kept it in the teacherage during school hours.

Teachers often faced the same challenges as their pupils. At Roros School, teacher Pratt Perry travelled eight miles daily from his farm near Chauvin using a team and buggy or sleigh. His wife, also a teacher, Flora Perry, was remembered fondly for helping organize community activities and events. Miss Folkins, another early teacher, became known for encouraging music and school concerts that brought families together from across the district. Weeks of preparation went into those songs, recitations, and plays.

At Battle Valley School, teacher Gretchen (Richardson) Wright recalled that the school year of 1924 actually began in July and broke for holidays in January because winter roads were frequently blocked by snow. She remembered that most students walked to school, while the Swanson children rode together on a pony. Looking back, she noted that after completing farm chores and walking miles, children found it easy to sit quietly through lessons.

One-room schools brought together children of many ages and abilities. In a single classroom, beginners learned their alphabet while older students prepared for Departmental Examinations. The teacher taught every grade, often with little more than a blackboard, textbooks, and determination.

The schoolhouse itself reflected the ingenuity of prairie communities. At Roros School, a barn was added in 1922 to shelter the horses that brought children to class. A furnace was installed in 1923, making winter attendance much easier. Students arriving by horse and buggy were sometimes paid a few cents to bring water to the school in cream cans because attempts to dig a reliable well had failed.

Yet school was not all work. School also created lifelong friendships. Children such as William Nysetvold and many others who attended the district schools shared experiences that connected families across the prairie. In communities where neighbours might live several miles apart, school was often the centre of social life as well as education.

The return to school each year represented more than the start of lessons. It reflected a community's commitment to its future. Parents donated land, served as trustees, supplied fuel, hauled water, maintained buildings, and raised funds to keep schools operating. Teachers became community leaders, organizers, and often lifelong friends of the families they served.

The one-room schools of the Chauvin district helped transform scattered homesteads into thriving communities. Through harsh winters, muddy roads, and economic hardship, prairie families ensured their children received an education.

As students head back to school in 2026, their journey may be shorter and more comfortable, but they follow a path first opened by the determination, sacrifice, and optimism of our district's pioneer families.

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Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

08/26/2026

The brick Église Sacré Coeur - Sacred Heart Church, remains one of Chauvin's most recognizable historic landmarks. With its striking stained-glass windows, white steeple and prominent place in the village, the church reflects more than a century of faith, volunteerism, and community spirit. For generations of Catholic families in Chauvin and the surrounding districts, it served not only as a place of worship but also as a centre of education, culture, and social life.

In 1909, only a few Catholic families lived in Chauvin and there was no resident priest. Determined to maintain their religious life, Mrs. St. Pierre wrote to the bishop requesting that a priest be sent so local Catholics could receive the sacraments during Easter. As the Catholic population grew, Father Albert Soyer became Chauvin's resident priest in 1911. While a rectory was being built, Mass was celebrated above Leger Roy's store. Once completed, the rectory served as both chapel and residence, with parishioners helping support the parish by purchasing and donating chairs, then paying an annual fee to use them.

A major turning point came in 1917 when Father Joseph Aubin Huet arrived. With the congregation approaching 300 people, the rectory chapel could no longer accommodate worshippers. The decision was made to build a church.

Construction began that fall and was entirely a community effort. Cement was mixed and poured by hand, while water was hauled from the nearby Poirier property. Men worked long hours on the building and local women prepared meals for the crews. During construction, Mass was held in the church basement while the former rectory chapel was converted into a classroom. Whist drives, box socials, and other community events raised funds, allowing the church to be completed entirely debt free.

Sacred Heart quickly became central to Catholic education in Chauvin. St. Aubin School was built nearby and opened with 40 students in 1930. In 1933, Father Huet arranged for the Sisters of the Holy Cross to come to Chauvin, where they taught English, French, and music. For many local children, church and school life were closely connected, helping preserve the district's French-Catholic traditions.

Father Huet led the parish for seventeen years until his death in January 1934. Under his leadership, the church was built, educational opportunities expanded, and parish life flourished. His influence on the community was profound and lasting.

One of the church's cherished milestones occurred in early 1923, when the church bell was blessed by Archbishop O'Leary and rang for Easter, then soon again for the christening of Lucien Coté. In 1958, the church interior was painted by a German immigrant craftsman, whose work remains a striking feature of the building today.

Sacred Heart was far more than a religious institution. It was a gathering place for the entire community. Bazaars, concerts, card parties, suppers, and seasonal celebrations brought people together year after year. St. Jean Baptiste Day was especially important, featuring Mass, picnics, races, ball games, and community fellowship.

Families often travelled many miles by wagon or sleigh to attend services. Winter journeys to Midnight Mass became treasured memories, with hot bricks placed at passengers' feet to keep them warm on the trip to Chauvin.

Through the decades, countless local residents served as trustees, musicians, teachers, caretakers, parish council members, and volunteers. Their dedication helped sustain both the church and the wider community.

In 1970, Chauvin became a mission of Provost. Although Sacred Heart no longer functions as an active church, it continues to serve the community as a beautiful setting for weddings, funerals, and special gatherings.

Today, Sacred Heart Church stands as a lasting reminder of the French-Catholic families who helped build Chauvin. Raised through volunteer labour, supported by generations of parishioners, and woven into the educational and social fabric of the district, it remains one of Chauvin's most important historic landmarks and a symbol of the community's enduring heritage.

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Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

08/19/2026

August 19 is World Photography Day, a celebration of the art, science, and history of photography. The date marks an important milestone in 1839, when the French government purchased the patent rights to the Daguerreotype process and then presented this groundbreaking invention as a “free gift to the world.” The Daguerreotype made it possible to create a permanent image with a camera and helped launch a revolution in how people recorded their lives and preserved their memories.

Here at the Chauvin Museum, we are so fortunate to have these two wonderful early photographs that provide a connection to those pioneering days of photography. These tintypes may be the oldest photographs in our collection.

A tintype, also known as a ferrotype, was a photograph made directly onto a thin sheet of iron. During the second half of the nineteenth century, tintypes became a popular and relatively affordable way for people to preserve their likeness for future generations.

The first photograph, donated by Greg Goodall, is believed to date from approximately 1873–1878. It shows two young men, unfortunately unidentified, formally posed in a photographic studio. Dressed in heavy coats, scarves, and fur hats, they present a striking image from another era. Their clothing, facial hair, and the relatively simple studio setting are characteristic of the 1870s. The photograph is made on a thin iron plate and displays the scratches, oxidation, and surface wear one would expect from an image that is nearly 150 years old. The photo is small, just 9 cm (3.5 inches) tall,.

The second photograph, donated by Pat Fenton, appears to be somewhat later, likely dating from 1888–1893. It depicts three women, possibly of the Diamond family, carefully posed in a professional studio. An elaborate painted backdrop, ornate furniture, and decorative carpeting create a setting that reflects the elegance of the late Victorian era. Their high-necked dresses, fashionable hats, and carefully styled hair are all consistent with the period.

It is easy to imagine a story behind the photograph. Perhaps these were three sisters, gathered together before one set off for a new life in Chauvin. The portrait may have been intended as a treasured keepsake for the sister heading west -or for the family members she left behind. In a time when travel was difficult and expensive, there was a real possibility they might never see one another again. A photograph such as this would have been a precious reminder of home and family.

Looking closely at these images, one can picture the experience of having a portrait taken. The photographer would have carefully arranged the people, focused a large wooden camera beneath a dark cloth, and exposed a sensitized photographic plate. In the 1870s, the wet-collodion tintype process required the plate to be prepared, exposed, and developed while still wet. Exposure times could last several seconds, making stillness essential - and helping explain those wonderfully serious Victorian expressions!

The women's portrait also reflects the increasingly elaborate photographic studios of the late nineteenth century, where painted backdrops, decorative furnishings, and carefully chosen props helped create portraits that conveyed dignity, respectability, and social standing.

What makes these photographs so special is not simply their age. They capture real people who took the time, effort, and expense to preserve a moment of their lives. Nearly a century and a half later, those faces are still looking back at us, reminding us that history is made up of people with families, hopes, dreams, and stories of their own.

On World Photography Day, we are reminded that photography does much more than record that moment - it carries pieces of our history forward. The day also encourages photographers around the globe to share a single image that captures their world. We are grateful that generations before us did exactly that, leaving behind photographs that continue to connect us with our community's past.

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Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

08/12/2026

One hundred years ago in Chauvin, August meant harvest was just around the corner - and for local families, that meant it was time to prepare for winter.

The men were busy in the fields, working to ensure a healthy harvest of grains and animal feed, but the women and children were playing an equally important role closer to home. Gardens were being harvested, vegetables sorted, fruit prepared, and jars filled.

Every jar of preserves represented more than food. It was insurance against the brutal prairie winter and the long, lean weeks of early spring, when fresh food would be scarce.

A Sakers grocery advertisement from August 11, 1926 gives us a fascinating glimpse into what Chauvin families could purchase locally. The store offered apples, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, apricots, grapes, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, lemons and oranges. C.G. Forryan’s store also advertised an impressive selection of fresh fruit, adding bananas to the mix. For a small prairie community, the variety is remarkable!

And the grocers weren't just selling food. They were selling the means to preserve it. Forryan had sealers - Perfect Seal and Improved Gem jars in all sizes available for families preparing for the canning season. The grocery store, the garden and the root cellar were all part of the same food system.

Long before electrification and household refrigerators, families relied on the earth itself to preserve their harvest. For Chauvin's early homesteaders and settlers, a root cellar could be the difference between simply surviving the winter and having a reliable supply of food.

Root cellars were commonly dug into coulee banks, hillsides or other suitable ground and, later, basements. Some were reinforced with timber, stone or other materials and covered with earth or sod. The surrounding soil provided natural insulation, helping maintain cool, humid and relatively frost-free conditions throughout the winter.

Inside, families carefully organized their stores. Potatoes, beets, turnips and other root vegetables could be kept in bins. Carrots and parsnips were often stored in sand or sawdust to help retain their moisture. Cabbage could be hung from above, while jars of jams, jellies, pickles and other preserved foods occupied shelves and storage areas. The cellar became a kind of underground pantry - a place where the work of an entire growing season was protected.

Preserving food was hard work, but it was also a skill passed from one generation to another. For prairie settlers, however, the idea took on particular importance. The long winters, short growing seasons and isolation of rural communities made food preservation essential. Families knew how to make their harvest last because they had to.

The tradition of the root cellar itself reaches much farther back than the Alberta prairie. European settlers brought knowledge of underground food storage to North America, adapting these practices to local climates and conditions. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the term “root cellar” was well established.

By the 1950s, rural electrification and affordable fridges began changing the way families stored food. The old root cellar gradually became less essential.

But the knowledge didn't disappear. Today, Chauvin gardeners continue to grow a variety of fresh foods. The wait list for produce at Chauvin Gardens and Whistlestop Farm is a wonderful indication that there is a strong appetite in the community for locally grown food. Pickles and jams are still being made for family and friends, carrying forward a tradition that began with the pioneers.

A century ago, a family might have walked down the steps into a cool, earth-covered cellar to retrieve a jar of preserves or a batch of potatoes. Today, you might open a fridge or freezer and reach for a jar of homemade pickles or jam.

Different technology. Different times. But the same prairie tradition… Grow what you can. Preserve what you can. Share what you can. Make the harvest last. And, especially, enjoy the flavours!

# # # #

Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

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07/29/2026

For nearly three decades, the Chauvin Clinic was much more than a doctor's office. It was where babies took their first checkups, where worried parents sought reassurance, where farmers had injuries treated, and where neighbours received dependable medical care close to home. Today, thanks to generous donations from the Village of Chauvin, many of the clinic's original medical instruments have found a permanent home in the Chauvin Museum, preserving an important chapter in our community's history.

The clinic operated from the early 1960s to 1987 or 1988. The clinic was initially open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, although by the late-1980s, its hours appear to have been reduced. Over the years, the clinic was served by several dedicated physicians, including Drs. Norman, Hnatiuk, Kennedy, Gorche, Gig, Drummond and Wiebe. Patients were welcomed by nurses such as Agnes Reinhart, while Barbara Legroix, Betty Wahlberg, Susan Perkins and Jessie Goodall kept the office running smoothly. Together they provided a level of healthcare that allowed local residents to receive treatment without routinely travelling to Wainwright, Provost, or Lloydminster unless hospitalization was required.

At this remarkably well-equipped clinic, patients could receive physical examinations, blood pressure monitoring, heart assessments, minor surgical procedures, eye examinations, laboratory testing, infant care, and treatment for everyday illnesses - all without leaving Chauvin.

The equipment offers a fascinating glimpse into the quality of care available in our small community. Among the artifacts are: an Electrocardiograph (ECG) machine, used to record the electrical activity of the heart and assist physicians in diagnosing cardiac conditions and a Birtcher Hyfrecator, an advanced office surgical instrument that used high-frequency electrical current to remove unwanted tissue and control minor bleeding. Many other pieces such as blood pressure cuffs, a baby weighing scale, and medical examination lamp and table, ophthalmoscope, and more are reminders of the wide range of services offered by the clinic.

One of the clinic's most significant community health initiatives occurred in June 1962, when the Alberta Tuberculosis Association brought its portable chest x-ray unit to Ribstone and Chauvin. Nearly 1,000 residents were expected to receive chest x-rays during the campaign, demonstrating the importance of early detection and preventative healthcare. Following the Ribstone clinic, the portable unit operated in Chauvin on June 29 and 30, with local residents registering through Mrs. Belva Goede.

The clinic's closure marked the end of an important chapter in Chauvin's history. For many residents, it meant travelling farther for routine medical care and saying goodbye to a place where families had received compassionate, personal healthcare.

Today, the clinic's preserved equipment offers a fascinating glimpse into rural medicine during the 1960s through 1980s. Every blood pressure cuff, examination lamp, medical instrument, and piece of diagnostic equipment reflects not only the evolution of healthcare, but also the dedication of the doctors, nurses, and support staff who cared for the people of Chauvin.

The building itself continued to serve the community in new ways - a family home, a vintage store, and has recently been transformed into the Bird Lady Bistro. One of Chauvin's favourite gathering places, the Bistro offers tempting homemade treats such as muffins, cinnamon buns, cakes, pies and specialty coffees

The next time you stop in, take a moment to imagine the remarkable journey this building has taken over the past half-century. Once a place where doctors cared for patients and babies were weighed, it now welcomes neighbours to gather over coffee and conversation. The building continues to tell the story of care, resilience, and renewal.

# # # #

Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

07/22/2026

On July 17, 2026, The Royal Canadian Legion celebrated an extraordinary milestone - 100 years since its official incorporation by an Act of Parliament in 1926. Across Canada, communities gathered to honour a century of service, remembrance, and unwavering support for veterans and their families.

Long before the Legion officially came into being, the people of the Chauvin and Ribstone districts were already caring for those who had served. Following the return of local soldiers from WWI, the Great War Veterans Association (GWVA) was organized in early 1919 under the leadership of Lt. Col. Cubitt, with Col. Pitman serving as president, Lt. Col. Rodden as vice-president, and T. H. Saul as secretary.

The GWVA helped returning veterans rebuild their lives by providing information about land settlement opportunities, veterans' gratuities, and the 1919 Victory Bonds that funded hospitals, vocational training, and other essential post-war services. The Ladies Auxiliary organized fundraising events, and countless volunteer activities. Together, the GWVA and Auxiliary supported veterans through the annual Poppy Campaign, contributed to scholarships, hospitals, athletic programs, and youth organizations, conducted Red Cross campaigns, and preserved the names of local men and women who served.

As veterans' organizations across Canada united, the GWVA became part of the newly formed Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League in 1926 - the organization we know today as The Royal Canadian Legion.

Many dedicated individuals helped build this proud legacy and generations of volunteers helped shape a tradition of service that began more than a century ago. Although the Chauvin Legion Branch closed, its legacy continues to live on.

The Chauvin Museum has been honoured to receive the Legion's Rolls of Honour, along with numerous historical photographs and artifacts. These treasured items will be proudly featured in the museum's new Military Display, currently under development, ensuring that the stories of Chauvin's veterans - and those who supported them - will not be forgotten.

# # # #

Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

07/15/2026

With rodeo season in full swing, competitors and fans alike recognize and appreciate the value of a quality horse.

For early settlers, the horse was the heart of life on the prairies. Horses broke the land, pulled wagons, hauled freight, gathered cattle, and carried families wherever they needed to go. For many, a dependable horse was often their most valuable possession.

As settlement spread, horse dealing became an essential business. Homesteaders needed strong draft horses, ranchers bought and sold livestock, and the NWMP purchased quality remounts. By the 1920s, the trade was well established through registered brands and reputable livestock dealers.

Among Chauvin's best-known horse dealers were J. Albert Tessier and his son William.

Albert had moved west with his extended family in 1909. After farming near Wainwright, the Tessiers established a homestead in the St. Jean Baptiste District southeast of Chauvin. Like many, they farmed, raised cattle, and became respected members of the community alongside neighbours such as the Pitmans, Bélangers, Nachtergaeles, Gagnons, and Meurins. Albert's sister, Marie Etta, married Leopold St. Jean, who served for several years as the veterinarian for the Chauvin district.

During the 1930s, Albert recognized a changing market. He shifted from grain farming to buying horses for shipment to eastern Canada. Success in the horse trade required knowledge, integrity, and a strong reputation - qualities for which Albert and William Tessier became well known throughout the district.

Although tractors took on the everyday farm work, horses never disappeared from Chauvin. The horsemanship developed by generations of farmers and ranchers naturally evolved into rodeo and chuckwagon racing.

Today, Chauvin is proudly represented in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) and the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA). The community has also been home to champion bronc riders, accomplished outriders, barrel racers, and other rodeo competitors who have carried Chauvin's name to arenas across North America and beyond.

The story of Albert and William Tessier reminds us that Chauvin's western heritage was built long before the first rodeo grandstand was filled. Their work as respected horse dealers helped support local farms and ranches, while today's competitors continue that tradition of exceptional horsemanship.

# # # #

Join the effort to celebrate Chauvin’s rich history by sharing, liking, and reposting with your friends, neighbours, and family.

While you search through attics and basements for family keepsakes, think of your local museum. These treasures from your past could be donated or lent, allowing future generations to uncover the fascinating stories they carry.

Chauvin Museum

09/02/2026

08/26/2026

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

07/29/2026

07/22/2026

07/15/2026

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