Archives – Page 5 – Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

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.

Remember Private Ernest Robinson?

June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

During SCAA Archives Week 2023, we shared a request for information that we’d received from a museum in Belgium.

The CMMM Archives received a request for information from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Belgium. Their researchers have been able to identify the wartime burial locations of more than 1,400 of the 6,928 missing Canadians in Flanders. One of the burial sites located has been identified as belonging to Ernest Robinson, who homesteaded in the Cut Knife area. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour in our local history book Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow Volume I.
from: In Memory of Private Robinson, Feb. 6, 2023

The Passchendaele Museum wanted the Robinson family’s descendants to know his burial site had been determined. His last known next-of-kin had resided in Tatsfield, Saskatchewan, which the museum was unable to trace to a modern address. The next step was to contact the CMMM regarding Names in the Landscape, their digital exhibit sharing the lives of the Canadian soldiers lost in Flanders. They asked for photos of, or archival references to Ernest Robinson that would help tell the story of his life.

We asked our readers for any photos and / or memories they might have of Private Ernest Robinson that we could forward to the Passchendaele Museum. Not only did we receive excerpts from a number of local history books, but through the power of social media, we were able to reach a family member. Since then, the Robinson family has put together a submission for the Names in the Landscape online exhibit.

Pte. Robinson’s nephew, Ken Robinson and Ken’s cousin Holly Robinson have researched and written a short biography of Private Ernest Robinson. It is an honourable tribute to someone whose life was cut so short. It includes a timeline and description (with references) of his military life. They have kindly shared the link with us.

Remember Private Ernest Robinson. Read more here.

~ Debbie M.

Archives, Museum, Summer

Seeking Photos for Exhibit

June 15, 2023June 15, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

In preparation for the CMMM’s 2023 summer season, Lucille is putting together a 150 year RCMP commemorative exhibit. She is requesting photos of former, or present, Cut Knife and area RCMP members.

Please send scanned photo(s) along with name(s), years of service and location(s) to ckmuseum@gmail.com. Thank you for your help.

Currently on display in the Cut Knife Library is RCMP 150: The Red Serge.

Archives, Museum, Our Stories

RCMP 150: The Red Serge

May 23, 2023January 14, 2024 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Tuesday, May 23, 2023: Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police mark their 150th year of service to Canada and Canadians. To honour this anniversary, CMMM artifacts currently on display highlight Cut Knife’s long-time connections to the RCMP and its predecessor, the North West Mounted Police. Lucille has selected items that have a direct connection to individuals who lived and worked in the Cut Knife community, which includes this beautiful jacket from the RCMP dress uniform, the Red Serge.

Red Serge jacket from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police dress uniform belonging to Shirley (Meriniuk) Yurchyshyn.

Items from the Walter Kingston collection: North West Mounted Police, Saskatchewan Provincial Police, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

These 2 photos show only a sampling of the RCMP artifacts on display at the Cut Knife Library for the next few weeks. Stop by and take a closer look at the items of clothing, memorabilia, framed paintings and photos, and the RCMP Musical Ride flag.

Cut Knife Library 113 Broad Street
Tuesday 4-7pm | Thursday 6-9pm | Saturday 9am – 1pm

~ Debbie M.

Archives, Events, Museum

Grand Opening a Success

May 22, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Dozens of people visited the Grand Opening Come & Go Tea on Saturday, May 20th. The unofficial count is approximately 50; the official count hasn’t been passed along yet. The Clayton McLain Memorial Museum and Archives and the Cut Knife Library share the building at 113 Broad Street and both organizations were very pleased with the public’s response.

We gave many, many tours, and answered even more questions. Three individuals signed up to help with the construction of the padded hangers we use to preserve textiles and clothing. And, almost 30 visitors entered the Door Prize Draw.

Winner 1st Prize: Mary Ramsay

Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow Vol. II
Time Marches On Vol. II 1975-2000
Atton’s Lake: A Summer Meeting Place
Odds and Ends: Orval Ens Autobiography
From the Heart of a Prairie Farm Wife

Winner 2nd Prize: Mason Ramsay

Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow Vol. II

Winner 3rd Prize: Bonnie Ramsay

Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow Vol. II

Thanks to all who helped us celebrate and made the day a success!

~ Debbie M.