Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Now is the Time

August 10, 2023August 11, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

PICTURES!

Already, the temperatures are dipping at night and, if you look closely, there are leaves beginning to turn. Now is the time to take a turn around the CMMM grounds. The flowers are in full bloom and the area around the Duvall House front steps has recently been landscaped. Click on photo for the slideshow.

As you can see from the last photo, some of our flower pots, actually tubs, are showing their age. If you have any extra large pots (i.e. 2 ft in diameter) that are no longer in use, the CMMM would be happy to make use of them for you. They would be greatly appreciated by us and by all visitors.

Donations of extra large flower pots / tubs (approx. 2 feet in diameter) accepted at the Duvall House Wed. – Sun. from 10am – 4pm until the end of August. Thank you.

~ Debbie M.

Museum, Summer

Mid-Summer Update

August 5, 2023August 5, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

GIFT ITEMS | FLOWERS | UNIQUE VISITS

In 2021, Ovenstown was demolished.

Ovenstown, the museum’s Registration and Tourist Information Centre, fell victim to the elements in 2020, when its foundation was compromised by record-setting rains. The artifacts within the building were relocated to the Duvall House and the Exhibit Building. The former school and church was leveled, except for the cupola housing the old bell. That was saved and will find a second home on site.
Ovenstown

What isn’t mentioned above, is that the Gift Shop items were also rescued, packed up, and put aside until a space could be arranged for them. Well, that day has come, and a mini-gift shop has been set up in the Duvall House. Local history books, commemorative plates, pottery and woodworking items, Tomahawk Park souvenirs, and more, are once again available for purchase at the museum.

If you’ve been anywhere near the the museum grounds and Tomahawk Park this summer, you must have noticed the colourful pots of flowers decorating the exterior of the heritage buildings. We sincerely thank Marion Blaine for selecting and planting such a beautiful array, and for faithfully watering and caring for them through these hot summer days.

(Some of our flower pots are showing their age. If you have any extra large pots, you’re no longer using, please consider donating them to the museum. They would be very much appreciated. Thank you.)

Many campers and travelers stop at the park overnight, or for a picnic lunch, and often tour the museum while they’re here. The area is also frequented by residents as part of their (and their dogs) daily walks, and by local youth visiting the bike park nearby. So, it’s not unusual for people to come-and-go all day long for various reasons.

However, staff have reported 2 unique visits so far this year:

Firstly, an individual was spotted flying a drone from his vehicle. If anyone sees video footage of the museum or the World’s Largest Tomahawk online, please tag us on Facebook.
Secondly, two young men respectfully asked if it would be alright to walk around the grounds without touring the museum. The reason: they were playing Pokémon Go! Any idea if they captured any?

~ Debbie M.

Events, Museum, Summer

Time for Coffee & a Walk?

July 25, 2023August 19, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Enjoy a cup of coffee in the historic Duvall House, tour the heritage buildings, or simply take a moment to enjoy beautiful Tomahawk Park. There’s a walking path, plenty of benches, and some really, really nice views.

COFFEE AT THE DUVALL HOUSE

WHEN: Wednesdays from 2 – 4pm
WHERE: In the Living / Dining Rooms of the Duvall House at the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum
COST: By donation

TOURS

WHEN: Wednesdays thru Sundays from 10 – 4pm
WHERE: Register at the Duvall House
COST: By donation

view of canola fields from the Duvall House back porch — Looking west from the back porch at the Duvall House

~ Debbie M.

It’s Official, Folks

July 20, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

VISIT BY APPOINTMENT

The renovations, the cleaning, the moving and unpacking have pretty much all been done. We had our Grand Opening Come & Go Tea the May long weekend. Our monthly Board meetings are held onsite. The Archives are still being organized but, honestly, there will always be work to do there. However, the sign went up this week!

The Museum Administration and Archives Centre (MAAC) for the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum is officially located at 113 Broad Street. This building is home to both the MAAC and the Cut Knife Library.

~ Debbie M.

Museum, Summer

Tourists at the Museum

July 16, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

The 2023 season was jump-started on Canada Day when more than 90 people toured the Heritage Village. This past week has averaged 2 tours per day. In recent years, multiple daily tours often don’t happen until August, so we’re excited to see if this summer will average more visitors than usual. However, it will be really tough to beat the CMMM’s first season, which coincided with Saskatchewan Homecoming ’71. They counted 2,440 visitors from around the world!

Read Elizabeth McLain’s account in the November 11, 1971 edition of the Highway 40 Courier:

~ Debbie M.