Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
MELFORT — The Melfort & District Museum is embarking on a multi-year expansion project that will bring more of the community’s history into public view, create new heritage exhibits and strengthen the museum’s role as a cultural and educational destination in northeast Saskatchewan.
According to Museum Curator and Cultural Coordinator Brenda Mellon, the project was inspired by the museum’s growing collection and a desire to tell a broader story about Melfort and the surrounding region.
“The inspiration really comes down to two things: the size of our collection and our desire to tell more of Melfort and the area’s story,” Mellon told SaskToday.
The museum is home to more than 44,000 artifacts, many of which have remained in storage because of limited exhibition space. The opportunity to expand came after the Melfort Agricultural Society donated additional land west of the existing Settler Village, allowing the museum to begin planning for future growth said Mellon.
The first phase of the Museum Expansion and Site Improvement Project is already underway. The site has added two new buildings featuring three storefronts, along with perimeter fencing and expanded electrical infrastructure Mellon said.
Mellon explained the new heritage buildings will recreate historic community businesses and services. One building will serve as a newspaper office, while the other will feature exhibits representing a historic bank and telephone office.
Mellon said the additional space will allow visitors to experience a larger portion of the museum’s collection while placing artifacts within the context of everyday life in the region.
“Our goal is for people to leave feeling that they’ve experienced the history of our community, not simply looked at a collection of objects,” she said.
The expansion will continue the museum’s focus on preserving and interpreting the history of local businesses, agriculture, public services and community institutions that helped shape the region.
“We also want to continue recognizing Indigenous history and the many different communities and cultures that have contributed to the development of this region,” Mellon said. “Our history isn’t one story. It’s many stories that come together to make up this community.”
Community support for the project has been encouraging, she said, pointing to a recent $2,000 donation from Affinity Credit Union. Volunteers also continue to play a critical role in moving the project forward.
The museum has established a fundraising goal of $250,000 and has secured approximately 15 per cent of the funding needed for the land expansion project so far.
Support has come from municipalities, businesses, organizations and individual donors through grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraising initiatives.
“We’re looking for businesses, organizations, families and individuals who would like to be part of the expansion,” Mellon said. “Financial support is important, but so is the knowledge and involvement of the people who know this area’s history.”
One of the expansion’s most distinctive additions will be a newspaper exhibit highlighting the history of the Melfort Moon, Carrot River Journal and Melfort Journal, and the role local newspapers played in connecting residents and documenting community life.
Among the featured artifacts will be a historic printing press, which Mellon said provides a tangible connection to how local newspapers were once produced.
“The printing press gives us an opportunity to talk about the people, technology and work that went into producing a local newspaper,” she said.
The broader expansion is expected to take place over several years as funding becomes available. Mellon said the phased approach allows the museum to carefully develop each building and exhibit while ensuring every addition contributes meaningfully to the visitor experience.
Beyond preserving local history, the project is expected to provide benefits for residents, schools and tourists alike.
Mellon said students will gain additional hands-on learning opportunities through artifacts, historic buildings and educational programming, while visitors will have more reasons to stop and explore Melfort and northeast Saskatchewan.
For future generations, however, Mellon believes the greatest benefit is preservation.
“We’re making sure that the objects, stories and experiences that shaped this community aren’t lost,” she said.
The long-term vision is to further strengthen the Melfort & District Museum as a heritage, education and community destination while ensuring the stories behind its artifacts continue to be shared.
“Ultimately, we’re not expanding simply to have more buildings,” Mellon said. “We’re expanding so we can share more of our history.”
