Biggar Museum & Gallery
Step Into The Past...
Royden Donahue Exhibit Gallery
Each year a new focus and perspective is developed within the presentation of our exhibits. The long-term loan of the “Schmirler Collection” continues to be maintained yearly along with the museum mandate of collecting, preserving and exhibiting artifacts for the public thus continuing the “Biggar” story told through the historical materials within our collection. Upon the completion of cataloguing and exhibiting each collection for exhibit; staff and volunteers continue to research existing and external data for the purpose of translating the stories “behind the exhibits”. Biggar Museum and Gallery encourages and accepts donations of artifacts, archival material, ephemera, memorabilia and other items that reflect and further the purpose, mission, and charter of the Biggar Museum and Gallery. Artifacts are approved by the collections committee and must correspond to the Biggar Museum and Gallery’s collections policy. We continue to provide appropriate conservation, safe and secure storage, and timely recording, recognition and management of collections in the museum’s ownership and/or care. Board, staff and volunteers continue to accept new artifacts which are accessioned in a timely manner. Volunteers continue to be trained in archival documentation and care, the recording of the pioneer interviews and the research of our ancestors for the revival of the historic walk.
In collaboration with the Fire Chief, Gerry Besse and the rest of the Volunteer Fire-Fighters a display was created. These volunteers have been saving the Town of Biggar and all its citizens since 1910! Here in the Biggar Museum we honour these men and women. 
Most CNR stations had a cafe open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Biggar's "The Beanery" was run by locals for the CN employees and the locals to use. Many a cup of coffee was ordered from the Beanery 'Queen' in the early hours to those on their way home from a dance. CN employees purchased their coupon book, affectionally called the "Pie Book", coming straight off their pay cheques. One 50 cent coupon could get them "Graveyard Stew", a local name for a bowl of bread and hot milk! |  |
Here is a reconstruction of the Biggar Train Station, which was in use since 1909 until 1986. Inside the station are the "call boards", hung exactly as they were in 1986, when they were taken down and the calling system was computerized.
This quiet, yet cozy section allows visitors access to pictorial documents and various historical books pertaining to Biggar and its surrounding area. Also featured is a replica of the Hanson Buck; a world record whitetail.
The Theatre Exhibit reconstructs the Biggar Majestic Theatre as it was before 1929. In this exhibit you may have a seat and listen to the original player piano that accompanied the silent movies from 1914 to 1930 and watch a slide show set to music on the history of Biggar with our new theatre system.
In the late 1920's there were more members of the KKK in Sasaktchewan then there were members of the Wheat Pool. JJ Maloney was the leader of the Western Division in Canada. He lived in Biggar for a short period, spreading his policies of hate. He preached against immigrantion and the Roman Catholic church. Ironic as his name indicates he was from a immigrant family and that he was an ex Roman Catholic cleric.
Featuring Lee Wong Chong's Laundry. This exhibit displays the difficult and often poor living conditions for the Chinese population that settled in Saskatchewan around 1880. A deep and dark history of the discrimination, misconception, and isolation that the Chinese Immigrants went through is demonstrated throughout this remarkable exhibit. |  |