Collections

Lamp Collection

The Donalda and District Museum displays a renowned collection of lamps ranging from the 1600s to the 1950s. collection-1

This extensive collection of lamps was established with the extremely generous donation of 500 lamps
from local residents Don and Beth Lawson in 1979.

From the initial donation, the lamp collection has grown to over 1,100 lamps through individual donations and acquisitions. They are on display in the main museum building.

The primary basis of the collection is kerosene oil lamps that were in use from the 1850s to the 1950s in residences, business and public buildings.

Whitford Collection

The Whitford collection is on permanent display in the main building and exhibits a variety of Métis artefacts from the late 1800s period. Many of the artifacts are handmade and showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of this period and the Métis way of life.

Complementing the Whitford collection is an exhibit of First Nation arrowheads, scrapers and hammerheads collected from the local region.

This collection provides an excellent representation of the evolution of the native tool making process.

Local History Collection

The main museum displays a wide variety of over 4000 artifacts portraying the daily lives of the early settlers to more modern times.

The collection was created through the donation of items from the surrounding community to help preserve the history of the area and its people.

The artifacts range from personal items, such as Norwegian wedding spoons dating from 1832, to items of daily use in people’s lives. The collection contains unique examples of period clothing, pottery, toys, dishes, salt and pepper shakers, coffee grinders, early coins and tokens, wool-spinning wheels, tools, and memorabilia from local organizations.

We also have archival material including photographs, maps, correspondence, samples of early newspapers, and books.