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Have
you ever wondered...
what kind of work goes on behind the scenes at a
museum?
how artifacts are preserved?
how exhibits are developed?
or who you should contact if you have an artifact to donate?
Much of the behind the scenes work of the Western Development Museum
is undertaken at the WDM Curatorial Centre in Saskatoon.
The Curatorial Centre coordinates programs for the four branches in
Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Saskatoon and Yorkton, and provides
administrative and centralized curatorial services including
education/extension, collections, conservation, exhibits, research,
fundraising, marketing and technical services.
Can I tour the WDM Curatorial Centre?
Yes, tours of the WDM Curatorial Centre can be
arranged by contacting Education/Extension staff at (306) 934-1400.
WDM research staff carry out artifact
research, prepare research storylines for exhibits and write artifact and
exhibit labels. As well, the department answers over 200 public inquiries a year
on a wide range of topics related mainly to the development of Saskatchewan.
The WDM's George Shepherd Library is
located in the Curatorial Centre. The library is named after a Saskatchewan
pioneer who became an early curator of the Western Development Museum.
The library answers research and
information requests from Curatorial Centre personnel as well as those from
staff and volunteers in the four branches. It is not a lending library. The
public, however, is welcome to use its resources for private research. A library
reading room is available for this purpose.
Call (306) 934-1400 or email
Research
Collections staff keep track of
artifacts in the collection--what they are, where they are, who donated them,
how they were used, who used them and and many other details. Nearly 80,000
artifacts are recorded on computer, enabling staff to quickly answer a variety
of questions.
Collections staff take information when
someone offers an artifact; they look after the legal transfer of the artifact
to the Museum, they catalogue the artifact and enter the information on the
computer, they suggest and provide artifacts for exhibits and loans and they
record transfers of artifacts to new locations, both inside and outside the
Museum. They also answer inquiries about the collection ranging from general
questions to specifics, such as the location of an artifact given by a
particular donor.
How to donate an artifact
Do you have an artifact you think the
WDM may want? The Museum would like to hear from you. A telephone call or letter
to the WDM will start the process. Museum staff will ask what the artifact is,
its age, its condition, its manufacturer, its history of use, and its present
location. You may be asked for a recent photograph of the artifact. It is
important to provide as many details as possible so staff can respond quickly.
Offers to donate are referred to the
Collections Department at the Curatorial Centre on a weekly basis. Computer
searches are done to find out if there are similar artifacts. The offer is then
considered by the Acquisitions Committee. A decision is made based upon how many
similar artifacts are already in the collection, whether or not the artifact
represents a technological innovation, its history of use, the potential for
exhibition or extension use, the condition of the artifact and the costs
associated with its acquisition. The process usually takes one to two weeks.
An artifact does not necessarily have to
be "old" to be of value to the Museum. It is easier to collect artifacts while
they are plentiful, than to wait until they are rare. The Museum commonly
accepts representative artifacts from as recently as the 2000s, and nothing is
"too new" to be considered.
When an artifact is accepted, it must be
numbered and catalogued. It may then go on display if there is a suitable place
for it, or more often, it is placed in storage in the Curatorial Centre until it
is needed for exhibit. Gifts are acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation
to the donor, and a listing in the Museum's newsletter.
Call (306) 934-1400
Visitors often wonder who does the
preservation work for the Museum. All preservation and conservation projects are done under
direction of the Museum Conservator, however, much of the actual work may be
done by volunteers. If an artifact is to be operated, it may
require the replacement of original parts with new ones. New parts may not be
appropriate if restoration is for exhibit only. In most cases, the more original
an artifact is, the more valuable it is for historical purposes. For example, a
phonograph which is operable but has minor scratches on the wooden cabinet is
more desirable as an artifact than one that has been refinished.
Preventative maintenance is emphasized
by the Conservation Program. To reduce deterioration, temperature and humidity
fluctuations must be kept to a minimum. Conservators advise on care and handling
methods for artifacts. They recommend what materials are safe for use in
conservation, and they decide to what extent treatment will take place on an
artifact. For example, should an artifact appear as it did when it was last
used, or should it appear as it did when it was new? An artifact does not have
to look pretty to be historically important, although this is often what the
visitor expects. The Curatorial Centre in Saskatoon provides safe environments
for a wide cross section of artifacts - from steam traction engines to wooden
trunks to silk handkerchiefs. If early treatment can reduce deterioration, much
of the need for extensive preservation in the future can be eliminated.
Call (306) 934-1400.
Staff in the exhibits program transform
ideas and storylines into three-dimensional exhibits. Sometimes, an exhibit may
be only a single artifact which is featured with explanatory panels. Other
exhibits relate a broader story or theme. Often, models are made of the proposed
exhibit. Designers must consider such details as traffic flow, lighting, colour,
text styles and size and construction materials when creating an exhibit. Great
care must be taken in mounting artifacts for exhibits so that they are not
damaged. Certain materials cannot be used because of the risk of damage. In WDM
exhibits, visitors are invited to understand and enjoy the artifact without
placing the artifacts at risk. Exhibit staff work closely with research,
collections and conservation staff, as all disciplines are involved in exhibit
production.
Call (306) 934-1400 or email
Exhibits
The WDM provides educational and public
programming for people of all ages. Our curriculum-based school programs allow
children to interact with the Museum in a fun, yet educational way. Family
entertainment is the goal of a variety of public programs offered by the four
branches throughout the year. On occasion, our regular programming is
complemented by presentations made by individuals and groups from the community.
Education activities are designed to
enhance the visitor's museum experience or to take the museum experience into
the community. The demonstration of crafts and skills using extension artifacts,
the instructional courses offered by the Museum, the summer shows, Sunday
afternoon programs which complement exhibits or holidays, are all part of
education/extension. These programs inform, entertain, enlighten and instruct.
Volunteers play a crucial role in programming - most of these events would not
be possible with out the dedication and willingness of volunteers to give of
their time and expertise. Whether it means helping a child to make a valentine,
decorating a Christmas cookie, firing up an engine or hitching horses to a
sleigh, WDM volunteers can be counted on. Education\extension programming
adds a dimension to the Museum visit which makes it more memorable.
School children make up a significant
portion of the Museum's visitors. The education\extension program has devised
teacher's manuals to prepare the students for their museum visit. Volunteer
guides help to interpret the exhibits they see. Often, the guide has personal
experiences to share with the students.
For more information:
Call: (306) 934-1400
Email:
Education/Extension
Or visit:
WDM School Programs
WDM Training
Programs
Special
Events
Members are the WDM's special friends.
They keep the Museum alive and active by attending special shows and programs,
by getting involved in WDM workshops and classes, and above all, by sharing
their enthusiasm with others. Members' financial contributions help to keep the
Museum open and active for all. They help to pay for the programs and
exhibitions that ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage for enjoyment
and education of many generations to come.
Memberships can by purchased by
contacting any of the four exhibit branches or the Curatorial Centre. Membership
fees provide free admission to all WDM's for the member and immediate family.
Other benefits include the Museum's monthly newsletter, and discounts of 10% off
on regular prices merchandise in the gift shops. Donations in excess of the
basic membership fee go toward special projects each year. Tax receipts are
given for donations exceeding the basic membership fee.
More
information...
The Museum needs your support as one of
its members!
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