10-07-2025
‘My favorite was butter churning': Yorkton's Western Development Museum holds Museum Day
Visitors at the Yorkton's Western Development Museum are able to explore prairie life of decades past at a discounted price, thanks to the Canada Strong Pass this summer. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News)
The Western Development Museum (WDM) in Yorkton recently held a 'Museum Day' – offering a venue for residents to learn more about life on the prairies.
Held on Wednesday, it marked one of the many events the museum organizes throughout the summer, supported by the Canada Strong Pass program. Despite the scorching temperatures outside, people turned up in droves to participate.
'[The kids] love it. They're smiling ear to ear,' said Natasha Steven, who attended the event. It was Steven's sister-in-law who wanted her and the two accompanying kids to see what was going on inside the Yorkton staple.
As it turned out, a lot was happening.
Visitors were given the opportunity to help museum staff churn butter and make ice cream with a crank. Additionally, visitors could also go on a wagon ride across the WDM grounds – all while learning about how life looked like on the prairies in the distant past.
The first big attraction of the day was butter churning. With the help of summer students, visitors were able to try it first-hand. Kids walked up to the station with enthusiasm and were quick to realize that it is truly hard work. It may have shortened the time spent with churning, but it didn't curb their enthusiasm.
'My favorite was butter churning,' young museum visitor Declan told CTV News. 'It was hard, like you pick it up but after a while it got sticky.'
Despite the hardship, he did note that he'd like to return to the museum in the future.
As the children took turns churning butter, the adults were trying to help them imagine what it was like in the past.
'Imagine having to do this every single time,' said one father. 'Like you can't just go to the store to pick up some butter.'
In the next room, the WDM's Volunteer and Program Coordinator and her family were making corn husk dolls, manifesting old prairie life. Her daughter was proud to show a newly made doll to the camera.
In an exhibition room just past the reception desk, volunteer Shiela Rabe was struggling to cut a piece of string at her crafting table. She was not happy with the scissors given to her but she was quickly reminded by a fellow volunteer that paper scissors are purposefully blunt, as they are meant to be safe for children.
'I'm quilting with paper today,' said Shiela. 'This is something that has been going on here for more than ten years,' she added, holding a row of tiles she eventually managed to tie together with the stubborn string. The piece will be added to the WDM's ever growing, community-made quilt.
'I have always been interested in Saskatchewan because of my family history here,' said Shiela, who moved to Saskatchewan from the United States. 'My grandfather was the blacksmith [at a grain elevator in Togo, Sask.] from about 1912 to, I think 1945 or [19]50.'
However, the conversation with Shiela was cut short as ice cream making had begun in a nearby room – generating quite a buzz.
'It's awesome,' said 10-year-old Gabrielle, referring to the ice cream she helped make a few minutes prior. 'It's way better than store bought ice cream.'
As she spoke, she glanced at the half-eaten cone in her hand; there was no doubt that it would be gone in a few minutes.
Throughout the event, families with children came and went. Some of them complimenting the activities at the front desk.
The Western Development Museum is part of the Canada Strong Pass, a federal project that aims to help citizens explore and celebrate Canadian history and culture.
The program runs from June 20 to Sept. 2, during which visitors can experience Canadian museums, nature, and railroads at a discounted price.
'The WDM is really excited to be a part of the Canada Strong Pass program this summer,' said Carla Madsen, manager of the museum's Yorkton branch. She added that the program is a big draw for people – despite many not knowing about it.
A museum worker added that they encountered many surprised faces when visitors were told that they were paying less.
Those 17 and under can enter any Western Development Museum location free of charge. Those who are between 18 and 24 years of age can enjoy a 50 per cent discount for admission.
The Canada Strong Pass is only valid for general admission. It does not apply for special events, such as the museum's upcoming annual Threshermen's Show & Seniors' Festival during the upcoming August long weekend.
Madsen told CTV News that the museum encourages people to come to its events and to use the pass on any other day of the week, adding:
'It's a great chance to get a lot of visits in and learn history throughout the summer.'
