Visit Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum

If you’re into trains, planes or automobiles — or any other type of wheeled, tracked, winged, or water transportation — then Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum (WDM) is the place to visit. display. Galleries are dedicated to the Snowbirds, aircraft from the past, during and after the Sec ond World War, watercrafts, classy cars, winter and land travel, and the history of Saskatchewan. Some events that occur throughout the year include Heritage Day, the Thunder Creek Model Train Show, the opening of the K&S Short Line train, a fashion show and tea, Brickspo, a Seniors’ Week Tea, Remembrance Week activities, Kids’ Secret Shopping nights during Christmas, breakfast with Mrs. Claus, and a multiday Christmas program. Call the WDM to find out when each of these events will be held, watch their Facebook page, or visit wdm.ca. In Moose Jaw, the WDM’s gift shop focuses on unique Saskatchewan-made items; its selection promotes the crafts of artisans and producers from around the province. It also fea tures seasonal giftware, books, souvenirs and toys. Gift cards are available for use toward museum admission, memberships and gift shop purchases. Watch for specials and weekly supplier spotlights on the WDM’s Facebook page. Contact the WDM at 306-693-5989 or moosejaw@wdm.ca. As a provincial organization, the WDM is the largest human history museum in Saskatch ewan, with locations in Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford and Saskatoon. With a collection of more than 75,000 artifacts ranging from pins to locomotives, the WDM shares the Saskatchewan story from the beginning of settlement to present day. Each museum location focuses on different aspects of Sas katchewan history: transportation in Moose Jaw, farm and rural life in North Battleford. 1910 Boomtown and innovation in Saskatoon, and stories of immigration in Yorkton. The WDM also has a corporate of fice located in Saskatoon for administrative and curatorial functions, as well as collections

A short-line train is available for rides on the WDM property.

A restored Vickers Vedette flying boat is one of the many aircraft on

storage.

Kids’ secret Christmas shopping happens at the WDM in November.

The WDM’s mandate is to collect, preserve, and exhibit objects of historical value and importance connected with the economic and cultural develop ment of Western Canada and to stimulate interest in Western Canadian history. Its vision is a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs and histories matter. The four WDM locations and the corporate office provide a grand total of 307,100 square feet (27,639 square metres) of covered area, including 262,875 square feet (23,659 square metres) for exhibit/pro grams and 44,225 square feet (nearly 4,000 square metres) of office and storage space. Total land area is 165 acres, slightly larger than the original prairie farm unit of a quarter section (160 acres).