Mary Armer’s Writing Case -ADOPTED
This Adoptable was owned by Mrs. Mary Armer, wife of NWMP member Sergeant-Major Armer, who was stationed in Fort Macleod. Though it is a writing case, Mrs. Armer found it more useful as a sewing box and used it as such instead! It originally came from England before arriving in Canada, and is over 100 years old. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1993.

Macleod’s Court House Postcard
This Adoptable was donated to the museum by renowned local artist, Irene McCaugherty. The court house was built between 1902 and 1904, and is the only territorial courthouse to continued to operate as such after the founding of Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905, and the introduction of provincial court systems in 1907. You can still see this court house on its original location on 23rd Street here in Fort Macleod- right beside where today’s courthouse stands. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Opera Ticket
This Adoptable is an unused, complimentary ticket to the Fort Macleod Opera House. The Opera House no longer stands, but if you’d really like a performance you can try asking a museum staff member… we can’t guarantee it will be a good show, but it will be a memorable show! This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Fort Macleod Recipe Book
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your menu, this recipe book might have what you’re looking for – but the museum can’t promise it’ll be a meal you’re used to! Printed in December of 1951 under the auspices of the Christ Church W.A. Evening Branch, this recipe book was owned by Eunice Lemire (nee Menzies). This Adoptable was accepted by the museum on December 9, 2015.

Trephine
This Adoptable may remind you of some sort of drill, or other carpentry tools. And you would be half correct! This trephine is a drill, but for bones. They’re often used in surgery to relieve pressure from underneath a bone, commonly the skull. Don’t worry, this one has been retired- use is not included in the adoption fee. This artifact was accepted by the museum in 1983.

Muff
Not only is this accessory both fashionable and practical, it’s historical as well! This muff warmed the hands of Mrs. Fred Willock, an 1896 Pincher Creek pioneer. Unfortunately, these days it’s just nice to look at- use is not included in the adoption fee! This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Macleod Curling Trophy
Fort Macleod’s history of curling goes back a long time! This trophy was awarded in 1900 by Baker and Skelding for the sport. This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

I.G Baker Co. Trading Tokens
These Adoptables are a glimpse into the trading culture of the I.G. Baker Company, one of the most well-known names in the history of the NWMP’s march west. The company would, among other things, eventually become the official supplier of the NWMP and be a direct competitor against the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada. Tokens such as these were used in place of real currency, and each trading company would have had their own version. These tokens are believed to have been used at the I.G. Baker Co. store in Fort Macleod – while they come in denominations of $5, $1, $0.50, and $0.25, please note that they probably won’t be accepted as legal tender in Fort Macleod today! These artifacts were accepted by the museum in 1981.

1974 Centennial Dress-ADOPTED
This Adoptable is a formal dress that was worn during the 1974 Centennial. It is one of a pair, one dress was worn to a celebration at W.A. Day School and the other to a Centennial Ball at the Fort Macleod Arena. While created in a historic style, this dress is definitely modern – complete with the inclusion of a zipper! This Adoptable was accepted by the museum on August 4, 2010

Blackfoot Language and Grammar Dictionary
This Adoptable is a dictionary on the Blackfoot Language and grammar. It was compiled by a man named Reverend J.W. Tims, a C.M.S. Missionary. It was owned by W.E. Betts in 1910 while living in Brocket Alberta. This artifact was accepted by the museum in 1980.

North West Mounted Police Officer’s Diary
This Adoptable is an official diary of a NWMP officer. Unfortunately, we’re not sure what the officer’s name was, but he kept a record from January 20 to February 9, 1903. This record is invaluable, both because of its good condition and because it allows researchers a small glimpse into the Officer’s perspective on the smallpox outbreak on the Blood Reserve that occurred during that time. This artifact was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Telegraph Receiver
How do you send text messages today? Probably with your cell phone, right? Well this little machine was invented roughly 30 years before telephones were- and was one of the earliest electronic ways to send a message over distances without writing a letter. Using a telegraph receiver like this, a transmitter, and the telegraph lines, you could send messages in Morse code! This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Notary Seal
Does this artifact remind you of a stamp? If it did, you’re kind of right!  This tool uses manual pressure to emboss paper- or in other words, leave a raised imprint of a design. This one belonged to John Cornelius Hiebert, who practiced law in Nanton. His seal reads “John Cornelius Hiebert / Province of Alberta / Notary Public”. This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Buffalo Horn Chair
There are two words for this chair: Conversation Starter. Museum records unfortunately don’t indicate who exactly owned this chair, but we’re willing to bet that their guests always had something to talk about! This donation has been a part of the museum’s collection for decades.

Red River Cart
Currently on display in our Orientation Gallery, the Red River Cart is a wonderful example of how goods were freighted across the Prairies in the early days. They were also infamous for their noise, as the axles and the wheels were made of wood and were very squeaky! You’ll have to take our word for it, though, because rides are not a part of the adoption fee. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Evening Slippers
This Adoptable belonged to Mrs. Robert McLean, who wore them in 1913. Mrs. McLean was a notable supporter of the museum, having donated approximately 202 artifacts to the Fort’s collection. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1979.

World War One Letters sent from a Solider Stationed in France & England
This three-part Adoptable is comprised of two letters from France and England during the First World War and their corresponding envelope. These letters were written by a gentleman named Charles Toogood to Bill Heath, his brother-in-law who lived in Fort Macleod. Mr. Toogood wrote to Mr. Heath on May 4, 1917, about a narrow escape in France in one letter, and again on August 20, 1917, about how he was wounded by a sniper and invalided to England. An interesting detail is included on the envelope – on the back, there is a sticker that, despite being slightly torn, reads ‘Opened by Censor’ on the back. This artifact was accepted by the museum in 1987.

Royal North West Mounted Police Dispatch Case
This official Royal North West Mounted Police case was used to carry documents, books, and other sorts of papers! Unfortunately, museum records don’t indicate what the Force Member’s name was, but we do know that it most likely would have been used between 1904 and  1919. This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Queens Hotel Menus
This Adoptable is a 3 part menu from the Queens Hotel during Colin Genge’s proprietorship, and includes the breakfast and lunch offerings from August 15, 1896 and the dinner menu for August 23, 1896. The Queens hotel still stands on Main Street today, but they’ve most likely changed their menu in the last 126 years. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum in 1980.

Macleod Municipal Ambulance
The Macleod Municipal Ambulance has an extensive history, including a small claim to fame. Purchased by the Macleod Town Council in 1913, this horse-drawn ambulance was used to service patients in the municipality. In 1957 it was accepted into the museum’s collection, delighting visitors in Fort Macleod and while on loan to other communities. It reached audiences on the silver screen through the 1978 film “Days of Heaven”, where it starred in a scene alongside Richard Gere. Original lamps and a stretcher are included in the adoption fee. This artifact was accepted by the museum in 1957.

Canadian Pacific Railway Rail Spike
This railway spike, though unassuming in its own right, is the remnant of Canada’s deadliest rockslide; Frank Slide. This rail spike is said to have been in the rails impacted by the fall of Turtle Mountain on April 29, 1903, which killed between 90 and 100 people. This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

These items require a Corporal ($25 or higher) donation

Fort Macleod Pennant
This pennant is just a little token from a very large event – the Fort Macleod Centennial Celebration! In 1973/1974, Fort Macleod celebrated not only the Centennial Birthday of the RCMP, but also the founding of our town. This particular pennant was made by Fort Macleod’s Junior Forest Wardens and Guards. This Adoptable was accepted by the museum on December 9, 2015.

Cigar Lighter
This lighter is probably not at all like the ones you use to light your birthday cake candles! And that’s okay – this is a 1901 countertop cigar lighter, you probably would have seen it in the store and not in someone’s house. Unfortunately the museum can’t confirm it still works, and your adoption fee doesn’t include trying it out! This donation was accepted by the museum in 1980.

The Goats
What did you enjoy most about our museum? If you preferred our furry friends, Turbo, Hallebelle, Tinkerbelle, and Billy the Pygmy Goats over our displays, artifacts, or historical buildings, we wouldn’t blame you! (Even our Collections Department couldn’t argue with that cuteness)

The Kanouse House-ADOPTED
One of our original buildings on site, the Kanouse House and its proprietor Fred Kanouse has a long and proud history of supplying the Fort Macleod area with all sorts of goods. Fred Kanouse came to the Fort Macleod area in 1874, leaving behind his days of whiskey trading in order to begin trade with the North West Mounted Police. He left ten years later, one year after building what we refer to as the Kanouse House. Many have called it the ‘Tim Hortons’ of its time, and while you won’t get a coffee here anymore, you can still indulge in its historical charm. The building has received numerous restorations since its beginnings, not least of all to the sod roof, as sod was not normally considered a permanent construction material. The museum has taken efforts to keep the original authenticity as intact as possible.

Haultain Law Office-ADOPTED
This adoptable is the second of the original buildings within the Fort Museum’s care – the original law office of Frederick W.G. Haultain! Mr. Haultain was a well-known figure in the Fort Macleod community during his time here, but nationally he is known through his efforts to create the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. While he was the premier of neither, he was the head of the opposition party in Saskatchewan and served as a Chancellor at the University of Saskatchewan between 1917 and 1939.

The Barn
If what really took your breath away at the Fort Museum was the spectacular performance of our horses and their riders during the Musical Ride, we invite you to contribute to the adoption of our barn! Our herd’s home-away-from-home, this building is the epicentre of our Musical Ride.

The Spirit of the Fort
If none of our other adoptables appeal to you (or if you can’t just pick one!), then you can pick a little bit of everything the museum experience has to offer and adopt the Spirit of the Fort.