WDM Saskatoon

09/10/2026

09/03/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 17 from 5pm-7pm as the Boomtown Stage features performances by Evie Marsten and Son of John for the CCMA Country Crawl! No-charge Thursday Nights at the WDM Saskatoon means there is no charge for entry from 5pm-8pm and donations are gratefully accepted.

The CCMA Country Crawl, supported by RBCxMusic, is showcasing 25+ of Canada’s best roots, Americana, and contemporary country artists across 10+ iconic venues in Saskatoon during Country Music Week!

Go to https://ccma.org/country-music-week/country-crawl-2026/ for the full line up!

Bird Creatives

08/31/2026

We are closed due to a power outage in the area for the day. We hope to see to your tomorrow!

08/28/2026

Perched on the roof of the J.I. Case Company building at Broad Street and 8th Avenue, “Old Abe” had a birds’ eye view of 20th century Regina. “Old Abe” was a 3.5 metre tall metal statue of an eagle which was the trademark symbol of farm equipment manufacturer, J.I. Case Company.

“Old Abe’s” story goes back to the American Civil War when a Wisconsin militia company adopted a young eagle as their mascot. “Old Abe” loved to show off in parades which earned him a lot of fans including Jerome Case, founder of the J.I. Case Company. Case was so impressed that he adopted Abe as the company’s trademark.

Case eagles appeared in dealerships across the Canadian prairies in the early-mid 20th century although few were as large as the Regina eagle. In 1969, Case changed their trademark to a modern logo making “Old Abe” obsolete. The statue was removed from the roof of Regina’s Case building and donated to the WDM in 1970. “Old Abe” now sits among the cars and other 20th century artifacts at the WDM North Battleford.

By the way, it turns out “Old Abe” was so popular that it was reinstated as Case’s trademark in 1992.

Photo 1: Old Abe being removed from the roof of the Case dealership in Regina, 1969 Photo Credit**:** Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan, West’s Studio Collection Photo, R-WS69-3782-2

08/26/2026

🏦 Did you know BMO has been part of Saskatchewan’s history for more than 140 years?

BMO opened the first permanent bank in the region that would become Saskatchewan in 1883. Located in Regina, it was known as “The Little Bank on the Moose Mountain Trail.” From there, BMO branches opened across the province, including Yorkton in 1903, Saskatoon in 1906 and Moose Jaw in 1909.

BMO’s Saskatchewan story even reaches as far north as Goldfields! In 1937, BMO opened a branch in a log cabin on the shores of Lake Athabasca. The building had previously served as a Hudson’s Bay Company post and an office for the Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources.

Today, BMO continues to serve communities across Saskatchewan, and has also helped make history and heritage more accessible. Since 2022, BMO Day at the WDM has offered visitors free admission to all four WDM locations as part of BMO’s commitment to increasing access to arts and culture across Canada.

🎟️ Join us for BMO Day on September 26 and experience Saskatchewan’s history for free!

Learn more at http://wdm.ca/bmoday

Image 1: BMO at Goldfields, 1937, BMO FINANCIAL GROUP CORPORATE ARCHIVE

Image 2: BMO Moose Jaw branch, 1922, BMO FINANCIAL GROUP CORPORATE ARCHIVES

08/24/2026

Our museums are more than collections of artifacts; they're places where stories, skills and history are kept alive. It takes passionate people who are willing to share their time and knowledge so that future generations can learn from the past.

Make sure to drop by the WDM Yorkton to experience Saskatchewan’s stories firsthand and see how history continues to come alive every day.

🎥 Thank you to @‌sasktel's maxTV for producing this video - learn more about the Western Development Museum in their full-length features on YouTube!

08/22/2026

Think you know Saskatchewan slang? 🌾

Let's put your prairie knowledge to the test! Can you guess this phrase means?

Drop your answer in the comments before checking the reveal below!



No cheating!



The answer is: B – Landfill or garbage site

08/20/2026

If you’ve visited the WDM Yorkton recently, you may have noticed the Icelandic showcase has a brighter, refreshed look! This redevelopment was a few years in the making as part of an effort to update and refresh exhibit content across the WDM system.

The exhibit text has been expanded to tell not just the story of Gudrun Bjornsson, the Icelandic woman who originally owned most of the artifacts in this case, but of Icelandic settlement in the Canadian prairies in general. The case was also reorganized so the artifacts are easier to see.

Between 1870 - 1914, it is estimated that over 16,000 people left Iceland, representing about a 20% net population loss for the country. Around 85% of all migrants from Iceland in this period came to Canada, mostly to the prairies. Of the Icelandic settlements in what is now Saskatchewan, many were in the Yorkton area. The first Icelandic settlement within the borders of present-day Saskatchewan was called Thingvalla, located near Churchbridge. It was established in 1885.

This updated showcase touches on topics such as the ways Icelandic farming differed from that of other settlers in Canada, the importance of literacy to Icelandic communities, and why choosing to emigrate from Iceland was sometimes seen as controversial.

Come in to more about Icelandic settlement in the prairies next time you’re at the WDM Yorkton!

Image 1: Before image of the Icelandic display case in the WDM Yorkton.
Image 2: After image of the Icelandic display case in the WDM Yorkton.
Image 3: A group of people in traditional Icelandic clothing at Wynyard, c. 1920. Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan R-A18408.
Image 4: Home of Petur and Gudrun Asmundson near Wynyard, c. 1915. Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan R-A18454.

08/17/2026

There’s only one month left to use the Canada Strong Pass!

Until September 7, 2026, enjoy free or discounted admission to the Western Development Museum.

The Canada Strong Pass offers:

No charge on regular admission for youth aged 17 and under

50% off regular adult admission for ages 18 – 24

Just visit the Museum! The Canada Strong Pass is not a physical pass that you need to purchase, sign up for, or collect. Let us know that you’re eligible when you visit and enjoy.

WDM Moose Jaw
WDM North Battleford
WDM Saskatoon
WDM Yorkton

Il ne reste plus qu'un mois pour profiter de la Laissez-passer Un Canada fort.

Jusqu'à au 15 septembre, 2026, profitez de l’entrée gratuite ou à tarif réduit au Western Development Museum.

Le Laissez-passer Un Canada fort offre:

L’entrée gratuite pour les jeunes de 17 ans et moins

50 % de rabais sur le tarif régulier pour les adultes de 18 à 24 ans

Il suffit de visiter le musée! Le Laissez-passer Un Canada fort n’est pas un laissez-passer physique à acheter, s’inscrire pour obtenir ou ramasser. Mentionnez simplement que vous êtes admissible lors de votre visite et j***r.

08/15/2026

Today's is the Rural Municipality Office at the WDM North Battleford.

The Rural Municipality (RM) Office in the Heritage Farm and Village did not start out as an office but as a schoolhouse near Roecliffe, an area originally settled by Barr Colonists. We don’t have details about its construction, but we know that the school opened around 1910 and closed in 1964.

In 1967, the building was moved to the WDM North Battleford where it was given a new purpose. In 1969, it became the Heritage Village RM Office. Like today, the RM Office of the past was the hub of local government in rural Saskatchewan, ensuring that essential services were maintained for residents.

Artifact number: WDM-1973-NB-13907

08/13/2026

It’s Blow Off Some Steam this weekend at the WDM Moose Jaw!

Saturday August 15, join us at the Museum to learn about steam powered transportation. 💨 Take a free wagon ride pulled by our 75 Case steam traction engine, or hop on the K + S Potash Canada Short Line 101 train and enjoy many other activities around the Museum.

📍 WDM Moose Jaw
🕒 August 15, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
🎟️ Museum admission applies, children under 18 enter free with the Canada Strong Pass
🚂 Train tickets sold separately: $7/person, $20/family

08/12/2026

Every building in Boomtown offers a unique glimpse into Saskatchewan's past. Have you explored them all yet?

🎥 Thank you to @‌sasktel's maxTV for producing this video - learn more about the Western Development Museum in their full-length features on YouTube!

08/11/2026

Think you know Saskatchewan slang? 🌾

Let's put your prairie knowledge to the test! Can you guess this phrase means?

Drop your answer in the comments before checking the reveal below!



No cheating!



The answer is: A – Shallow pond or marsh. Not to be confused with a dugout, another common pond feature on prairie properties!

08/07/2026

What are you most excited for at Boomtown Heydays?! We can't wait to see you this weekend!

08/06/2026

If you love event planning, Saskatchewan history, and engaging with the community in all sorts of different ways, we're looking for you!

Learn more and apply to join the WDM Saskatoon team at wdm.ca/careers 📝

08/06/2026

Boomtown Heydays is your chance to get up close and personal with vintage equipment from the WDM Collection! 🚜

Meet our Machines features multiple pieces of machinery that you are able to touch, admire, and even hop into the driver's seat. Learn about what the equipment was used for and imagine the differences between farming then and now!

☀️ Boomtown Heydays is the WDM's newest summer festival, great for all ages. Best of all - admission is FREE! Donations are gratefully accepted. Join us on August 8 and 9 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

08/05/2026

August 8 & 9 are also Saskatchewan Open Farm Days! This province-wide event is your free backstage pass to Saskatchewan’s agriculture and culinary experiences. For one weekend, farms, ranches, breweries, orchards, restaurants, dairies, and more open their gates to you. It’s a chance to connect with rural life and discover the incredible diversity of food grown right here in Saskatchewan! Visit https://skopenfarmdays.ca to plan your weekend.

Boomtown Heydays will act as an Open Farm Days host and hub for information, featuring producers and sharing the history of agriculture and innovation in our province throughout the Museum galleries.

08/05/2026

As part of the festivities at Boomtown Heydays on August 8 & 9, make sure you take a stroll down Boomtown street and visit the Craft Market featuring local craft vendors! 🌾

07/31/2026

Stop by Boomtown Park at Heydays on August 8 & 9 to learn how ice cream was made before electricity, take your turn to churn, and enjoy your human-powered treat made with fresh dairy provided by !

Demonstrations will take place every hour, on the hour at 10am, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm both days.