Visitors from across the region are invited to celebrate International Museum Day with free activities at three local museums! 

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations: 

• Grande Prairie Museum & Heritage Village
• Veterans Memorial Gardens and Interpretive Centre
• Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

Cost: Free

Event Activities:

• Free admission to each location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Free shuttle service between locations. See details below.
• Special feature exhibits at each location.
• Scavenger hunt on May 21 with a prize for a randomly selected winner.
• Free cake provided by New Horizon Co-op.
• Food truck or concession stand at each location.

FREE Shuttle Bus Schedule

There is FREE shuttle service between locations every 40 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. See the schedule here.

Feature Exhibits

Grande Prairie Museum - Textile Tales

The Grande Prairie Museum’s current exhibit called Textile Tales features some of the best examples of textiles from the Peace Region through different blankets, clothing and more. The exhibit also features hands-on activities including ribbon weaving, table loom weaving, peg weaving and hand sewing.

The Heritage Village at the Grande Prairie Museum opens for the season on May 21 at the International Museum Day event.

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum - Dinosaurs Among Us

The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum will feature a sneak peek of an upcoming exhibit called Dinosaurs Among Us and a walk up show where you can meet Mack the tortoise.

The museum will also have a fossil identification table where visitors can bring in fossils they may have at home to have them analyzed and identified by professionals. 

Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre

The Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre’s new display The Italian Campaign and the Battle of Ortona features The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, D Company Grande Prairie circa 1943.

Fifty-five soldiers from the Grande Prairie region were killed in action at the Battle of Ortona. The display includes maps, photos, videos and a slide show.

International Museum Day Background

International Museum Day is an annual celebration put on by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to raise awareness on the importance that museums have in promoting cultural connections, understanding and community.

The ICOM chose the theme Sustainability and Wellbeing for this year’s International Museum Day to highlight museums as key contributors to the wellbeing and sustainable development of communities.