WDM Saskatoon

06/14/2026

Our next Pop in & Play is coming up this Tuesday, June 16!

Drop in between 9:00am and 3:00pm to take part in a craft and hands-on activity, or take a break from the rest of the Museum in the storybook corner!

Photo: WDM Barton Collection 04034. Children playing on a riverbank, 1924.

06/10/2026

Museum Days 2026 will be taking place this week on June 11 & 12! This Education Program features community partner activities, hands-on heritage activities, and heritage demonstrations throughout the galleries for grades 2-6. It makes for two of our busiest days of field trips in the whole year as we welcome more than 1000 students, educators, and chaperones each day.

We remain open to the public, who are also welcome to participate! We just want visitors to be aware that between 9:00am and 3:00pm, you will be sharing the space with this program and to plan your visit accordingly.

06/06/2026

We're having a great time at ! Stop by the WDM booth this weekend in Discoveryland to play with toys and games that have been popular through time! Parents and grandparents might even remember playing with some of these classics🧸

06/04/2026

Our next event in the 2026 Speaker Series with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner is coming up at the end of this month!

We have the honour of hosting Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker and Sid Fiddler on the evening of June 25 as they speak about the significance of commemorating 150 years of Treaty 6 in 2026.

Join us in-person at the WDM Saskatoon or contact [email protected] to receive the link to attend virtually!

05/29/2026

Calling all local vendors and performers!

🎨 The WDM Saskatoon is looking for local craftspeople, food truck operators, market gardeners etc. to join our Vendor Village at Boomtown Heydays. Vendors follow this link to apply: https://forms.office.com/r/4BWVvrkzuV

🎶We are also looking for solo and group musical acts, cultural and contemporary dancers, and festival performers to join us in creating a lively summer festival vibe. Performers follow this link: https://forms.office.com/r/3X8XDUvFFz

🌞 Boomtown Heydays is the WDM Saskatoon's summer community festival, taking place August 8 and 9, 2026. Spots are limited so apply early! Applications close June 30, 2026. We will be in touch soon after to confirm attendance.

05/28/2026

Thanks Inclusion Saskatchewan for choosing us to be your host!

Our team was recently on site at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, to prepare for our upcoming 2026 Inclusion Conference!

We are so excited to welcome people in for a tour of inclusion through time. On June 6, 2026, self-advocates, families, and changemakers from across the province will spend the day together learning about the history of inclusion in Saskatchewan and celebrating 70 years of INSK!

05/27/2026

A map can tell us far more than where buildings once stood. This Asian Heritage Month, we’re sharing research that’s allowed us to learn more about the developing Chinese community in Saskatoon’s early twentieth century.

Through fire insurance plans, aerial photographs, and archival records, our curatorial team explores the lesser-known history of Wing Lee Lai Laundry and Chinese settlement in the city.

Discover how historical maps and photographs reveal deeper patterns of urban change and community life in our latest blog: https://wdm.ca/2026/05/26/mapping-saskatoon-riversdale-and-chinese-laundries/

05/25/2026

The Museum grounds are looking much better thanks to an amazing crew of WDM volunteers who helped out with some spring cleaning this morning! Many hands and perfect weather make light work. 🌞

05/23/2026

☀️ Summer camp season is almost here, and WDM camps are filling up fast! This summer, your kids can bake bread, crack Morse code, and travel through Saskatchewan’s history - all before lunch.

Each WDM Museum offers themed camps packed with hands-on activities, creativity, and discovery, giving kids the chance to learn, explore, and make unforgettable memories along the way. 🚂✨

Register your child now at https://wdm.ca/things-to-do/events/?category=122

📍 Moose Jaw | Ages 7 – 10
July 13 – 17

📍 North Battleford | Ages 6 – 12
July 6 – 10 • July 20 – 24 • July 27 – 31 • August 17 – 21

📍 Saskatoon | Ages 7 – 11
July 20 – 24 • July 27 – 31 • August 4 – 7 • August 10 – 14

📍 Yorkton | Ages 7 – 11
August 10 - 14

05/21/2026

In the early 1950s, Moose Jaw was thriving. The Royal Canadian Air Forces base was reactivated in 1952 which led to an influx of military families to the area. Couple this with the fact that Moose Jaw was already an agricultural and industrial hub, and you have a bustling, growing city.

To better serve and protect its residents, in 1953 the City of Moose Jaw purchased their first modern ladder fire truck – a model 500A, aerial no. 2 built by the King Seagrave Truck Company of Woodstock, Ontario. Purchased for $35,432, which is equivalent to over $400,000 today, this truck has an open cab and a big V12 engine. This ladder truck would serve Moose Jaw until it was retired in December 1989. It was last used in the fatal Empress Hotel fire on August 8, 1987.

From tractors to trains, some of our biggest artifacts are also the hardest to care for. They require space and may require specialized equipment and ongoing maintenance to stay safe and accessible. Your donations help us protect these iconic pieces and keep them on display for everyone to experience.

💌 Become a donor today at wdm.ca/get-involved/donate/donation-form/

Photos:
Ladder truck being moved and put on display at the WDM Moose Jaw (WDM-1990-MJ-9).

05/19/2026

Our Collections team isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty when it comes to protecting the artifacts in our care. 🧼 Staff at the at the WDM Curatorial and Corporate Services Centre received flood and water damage training, using fake “artifacts” like photos, CDs, clothing, hides and toys found in thrift stores or garage sales to test different restorative techniques.

The knowledge gained from this hands-on experience will be shared with staff and volunteers if an emergency ever does occur. Practical training is essential for artifact care, and staff were glad to practice with mock materials before we ever have to deal with the real thing! 🌊

05/17/2026

🎉In one month on June 17, the WDM Yorkton celebrates 75 years of opening its doors to the public!

In 1951, the WDM Yorkton made the switch from a WDM artifact storage facility to exhibit location. The WDM had artifacts stored around the province, many in unused Second World War airplane hangars. The WDM Yorkton was no exception, with its first Museum building located in an old hangar at the Yorkton Airport. For weeks leading up to the opening, artifacts were moved to Yorkton from other storage buildings and set up for display.

The Regina Leader Post reported that around 150 people attended the opening of this new WDM location on June 17. Deputy Mayor Fred Steele commended the WDM, telling the crowd that “Yorkton was indeed fortunate in having a museum of this kind.”

The WDM Yorkton would remain in the airport location until 1972, when it moved into a new building located on highway 16 (known today as highway 16A).

Join us for birthday cake on Wednesday, June 17 as we celebrate 75 years of the WDM Yorkton! 🥳

Photo 1: The WDM Yorkton original location at the Yorkton Airport, c 1958

Photo 2: Inside the WDM Yorkton, c 1955

Photo 3: WDM Yorkton, c 1955

05/17/2026

There are only two weeks left for you to take in the Lii Buflo: A Métis Way of Life exhibit in Saskatoon!

On view until May 31, 2026, this travelling exhibit showcases the historic and continuing relationships and cultural ties between the Métis people and the buffalo, as well as the buffalo conservation efforts of Elk Island National Park through a blend of storytelling, educational information, and original artworks by Métis artist Jesse Gouchey. This exhibition was developed by the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert, Elk Island National Park and a Métis advisory committee. It is presented in English, French and Michif.

If you miss it, you can find it next at the WDM North Battleford from June 15 until September 30, 2026!

05/15/2026

Tuesday, May 19 is your next chance to Pop in & Play from 9am-3pm at the WDM Saskatoon! This month's theme is "Springtime" now that the snow is melting and the season has finally started. Drop in to do a craft, enjoy the storybook corner, or try out a heritage activity!

Photo credit: WDM Barton Collection 03071

05/14/2026

May's Seek & Find investigates aspects of Saskatchewan's rich agricultural history through artifacts!

Keep your eyes peeled and find answers to questions like:
"What variety of wheat became popular in the early 1910s?" 🌾
"Which company built this tractor?" 🚜
"Who is the famous painter of this mural?" 🎨

Don't forget to pick up your Seek & Find to explore the Museum in a new way each month! 🔎

Image: WDM-2002-S-534

05/13/2026

Eighteen-year-old Nicholas Lewchuk decided he wanted to be a performer after seeing a magic show in his hometown of Canora. There was one problem – it was 1914 and there weren’t a lot of opportunities for performers in small-town Saskatchewan. That didn’t stop Nicholas. Just four years later he performed in his first vaudeville-style show under the name “Professor N.P. Lewchuk.” In 1920, he took his show on the road, the start of almost four decades of travelling performances as the Lew’chuk Vaudeville Co. The show featured everything from fire-eating to comedy to midway rides. In 1968, the show became a permanent tourist attraction in Canora called the “Fun Spot”.

Today, artifacts from Lewchuk’s remarkable career are preserved in the WDM Collection, and we’re asking for monthly donors to help ensure stories like his continue to be protected for future generations. Just $15/month can go a long way!

💌 Become a donor today at https://wdm.ca/get-involved/donate/monthly/

Lewchuk’s incredible story is told through memorabilia, props, posters and photographic negatives in the WDM Collection. Each artifact has its own needs when it comes to care. For example, a number of Lew’chuk posters were digitized, which reduces how often they are handled or exposed to light. Digitized copies can also be easily reproduced without harm to the artifact. While in recent years, the WDM has shifted focus to collecting primarily historical objects and referring documents, photographs and posters to relevant archives, we continue to preserve the artifacts already in our Collection. Your donation helps ensure these important records are not lost.

05/12/2026

Spend your summer with the WDM North Battleford! 📣 We're seeking a Customer Service Assistant and a Grounds Assistant. Both roles are 2-month terms from July - August.

Find full details online at wdm.ca/careers. Applications will be accepted until June 19.

05/11/2026

Great things happen when great minds meet! The WDM management team gathered recently in Saskatoon, bringing staff together from across the province to strategize and drive the Museum forward.

Our vision, to embody Saskatchewan's diverse cultural heritage and inspire curiosity in our shared histories, becomes stronger each time our team meets. 🤝 A special tour of Boomtown Street was an extra perk! 🏘️

05/03/2026

Hear the latest updates about our steam traction engine operation course in North Battleford! 💨Join our mailing list: wdm.ca/event/steam-traction-engine-operation-course/

This course teaches basic maintenance and safe operation of steam traction engines and familiarizes you with antique steam-powered machinery, including a 75 HP Case and 36 HP Case steam engine. Priority registration opens to WDM members and volunteers in good standing on May 12.

📅 The course takes place at the WDM North Battleford on July 10 - 12, 17 - 19 and 24 - 25, with a written exam and driving test at the WDM Moose Jaw on July 28 & 29.

05/01/2026

A long winter makes spring even better! 🌱 We're looking forward to outdoor exhibits and special programs in May. Swipe through to see what's on this month, and don't forget to like and share with a friend.

📍 Follow our local pages for the latest updates:
WDM Moose Jaw
WDM North Battleford
WDM Saskatoon
WDM Yorkton

👉 Learn more at wdm.ca/events.

04/27/2026

What do you get when engineers, medical professionals, academics, lawyers and tradespeople work together? You get a Saskatchewan-made solution that helps save lives during a global pandemic! Now part of the WDM’s Collection, we’re calling for monthly donors to help support our important preservation work.

💌 Become a donor today: wdm.ca/get-involved/donate/monthly/

Saskatoon company RMD Engineering and their subsidiary One Health Medical Technologies heard about the need for ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic, when medical professionals warned that there were not enough ventilators to meet demand. The EUV-SK1 ventilator was designed and built in Saskatchewan for this purpose.

In partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, RMD built a prototype in just 42 days and submitted it to Health Canada for certification, which it received eight months later. By the end of 2020, the first EUV-SK1s were sold to the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The WDM is full of artifacts that showcase innovation and the power of working together. The remarkable EUV-SK1 is a modern version of this story that we’re excited to share. However, some modern artifacts can present challenges. Plastic and electronic artifacts are chemically unstable and complex and can degrade over time. The only way to care for these items is to slow that deterioration through cleaning, environmental monitoring and proper storage. Your support helps the WDM care for these newer pieces of history before they disappear.

Photos:
Medical Ventilator, WDM-2025-S-2