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Tuesday 1pm - 4pm Wednesday 1pm - 4pm Thursday 1pm - 4pm

Fort Ostell Museum

Name: Fort Ostell Museum
Address: 5320 54th Street, Ponoka, AB, T4J1L9, CA
Telephone: 4037835224
Price range: $

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Ponoka, AB
Fort Ostell Museum

Winter hrs: 1 Sept - 14 May, Tues-Thurs, 1-4pm
Summer hrs: 20 May-Aug, M-F, 10am-4pm

Fort Ostell Museum has displays celebrating Indigenous Peoples, early pioneers, and a unique exhibition chronicling the early days of mental health treatment in Alberta. Museum is dedicated to the pioneers of the area and holds many artifacts related to the history of the area as well the Alberta Collection entitled Care and Treatment of the Mentally Ill in Alberta.

06/19/2026

History Bites...
Sommer's Home Hardware has been a staple in our small town for a while now. Knud and Egon Sommer opened Sommer's Home Hardware in 1971. Later in 1981, they put up the Home Hardware sign we know and love today. The store started out with only 12,000 square feet, but now, with 4 expansions behind them, they are up to 20,000 square feet of space.

06/18/2026

The winners are... Tobias Terrill Brenda Vold Mitchell F. W. Nevill-Teague and Paul Neumann
The item is something that many of you might hold near and dear to all of your cowboy hearts...Spurs!
Fun fact, Spurs were invented in 5 B.C, and over time they evolved through the Romans, Greeks, Celts, French, and the Spanish Vaqueros which are the super popularized version today.
These spurs can be seen in our new Stampede Rodeo Display coming soon! Be sure to stop by to see it.

06/17/2026

War Wednesday...
Thomas Phillips born of Martha and David of Wales, however he wouldn't spend long in Wales as his family uprooted their lives for Western Canada. When news of the war broke out, Thomas voluntarily enlisted in 1916 into the 28th battalion. Thomas would've been on the front lines of many triumphant and tumultuous battles. In the winter of 1917 he was stationed in the Arras Sector of Vimy Ridge holding through the entire winter there. He was also apart of the defense against the Germans Spring Offensive "Kaiserschlacht" where he held against heavy artillery, gas attacks, flame throwers, and the first sighting of a submachine gun in WW1. However his valiant story would come to a close in May 5th 1918, when he lost his life in one of the heaviest trench raids Vimy Ridge had seen. He would be laid to eternally rest in the Bagneux British Cemetery in Gezaincourt, France.

$What is it?This week we're making it harder...That toaster was too easy for you smart cookies.This is only a fraction of...$

06/16/2026

What is it?
This week we're making it harder...That toaster was too easy for you smart cookies.
This is only a fraction of the item, which is something that you'll be able to see soon in our new display...
This specific item has been around since 5 B.C! Used mostly by the Romans, Greeks, and Celts. Early versions of the item were made of bone instead of metal.
I've said enough! What do you think it could be?

06/15/2026

This Week In History...June 22nd 1936

"Stampede
Extra Attractions
SOFTBALL - TUESDAY JUNE 30
1st Prize $10.00 & Cup
2nd Prize $6.00
3rd Prize $3.00
All Entries to Earl Kyler by Saturday June 27th

BOYS' AND GIRLS'
Foot Races
To start at 1 P.M 16 Prizes

Parade July 1st, 12 Noon
$45.00 in Prizes
Old-Time Parade $8 $5
Best Decorated Car.........$10 $6
Indian Parade...............$16
For any further information please get in touch with A.L Nicholas

Midway Attractions and Concessions for BOTH DAYS
Anyone having any attractions or interested in a Concession please get in touch with W.H Kankewitt, Phone 77"

How far the concept of our famous stampede has come from 1936! 😮

06/12/2026

History Bites...
In the 1930's one of the most revolutionary pieces of technology was introduced to Fire Departments all around Canada. The 1930 Seagrave Fire Apparatus was one of the most successful and innovative vehicles yet. It featured a V12 engine, an 85ft tall ladder, and with its all stainless steel design it was an absolute workhorse in terms of durability. It was so durable in fact, that it didn't get replaced for over 20 years with newer innovations due to the fact that it was not only reliable, but the Great Depression made it too costly to ever revolutionize or replace the Seagrave. The Seagrave served all over Ponoka for 20 years, even saving the famous Wooden Grain Elevators from burning up and saving Ponoka's economic hub.
Today you can still see the Seagrave in parades or showing at the Fire Department.

06/11/2026

The Winners of the guessing game is....Everybody!
Congratulations! You've earned your very deserved bragging rights and high five. Use it wisely.
This is a 1920's General Electric Toaster, first of its kind. Instead of the toaster using a pop up system, this one has a drop side mechanism where you'd have to open it in and slot it in and out yourself. The "toasting trend" of the 1920's made toasters more of a luxury designer appliance rather than one you hide away on your counter. The art deco design was made to not only allow steam to escape the toaster, but to also entertain and bedazzle guests with its luxury chrome finishing.

06/10/2026

War Wednesday...
During the 1940's red lipstick, dresses and nail polish was all the rage...But why?
This is because Adolf Hi**er was enraged by women in red. His personal belief was that women in red cosmetics and gown were vulgar and that the red was too unnatural for the face of a woman. He even went as far as to ban the strong color from Germany and from countries under his reign. American's and Canadian's decided to capitalize on this idea by introducing the strong shade of red into trending fashion, even making it mandatory for women in Women's Corps to be wearing red lipstick as uniform.

06/09/2026

What is it?
Lets play a game, winner gets bragging rights and a crisp high five.
Pictured below is an item from our museum. I want guesses as to what it is and what it was used for.
Some vague hints, this item was popular in the 1920s-1930s, it was highly sought after yet accessible even to the lower class.

06/08/2026

Sign up for summer kids programs at the museum! Every Monday in July and August we'll be doing fun, history-related crafts and activities.
Kids 6-8 in the morning, and 9-11 year-olds in the afternoon. The program is free, but you need to register.

It's going to be pioneer-tastic!!

Call the museum for more details. 403.783-5224

Address

5320 54th Street
Ponoka, AB
T4J1L9

Opening Hours

Tuesday	1pm - 4pm
Wednesday	1pm - 4pm
Thursday	1pm - 4pm

Telephone

4037835224

Website

http://fortostellmuseum.com/

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