The Heritage Village is open!
The most striking part of the Grande Prairie Museum is the Heritage Village, a collection of 20 historical and recreated buildings from Grande Prairie’s past. The Village was founded in 1974 when the Tempest House was moved from its original site at Kleskun Hill to the Grande Prairie Museum. Two years later the McQueen Presbyterian Church would follow, and in 1977, the Hermit Lake School. More buildings would soon follow, including the Pipestone Creek Store, the Edson Trail Caboose, and the recent addition of the historic forestry tower. These buildings sit alongside two recreations: the Campbell cabin, and the Grande Prairie Fire Hall.
The Grande Prairie Hudson’s Bay post was an important trading post for settlers in the region. However, it’s original location was near La Glace. It is the only purpose-built Hudson Bay post surviving in the Province of Alberta. Its survival owes much to history enthusiast Roy Bickell. The Pivert Caboose is a recent unique addition from the 1930’s, it is much later than most cabooses. Instead of being pulled by oxen or horses, it came up on a trailer and the back of a truck. The Pivert’s photographed their journeys which provide a vivid record of what travelling in Alberta during the 1930’s was like.
The heritage village is a collage of Peace Region history that people can walk through. It is used for special events; educational programs and it’s opening every spring is eagerly anticipated by the community.
The Heritage Village is open May through September (weather dependent).