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Impact museum showcases Taber history in the making


By Stan Ashbee


The Taber Irrigation Impact Museum focuses on the impact of irrigation on Taber’s development — but, it’s so much more than that. “It showcases the irrigation systems


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and processes from early labour-intensive methods to the current computer technologies that growers use. Through the efforts of pioneer settlers and workers such as the Okamotos, and the constant modernization of irrigation systems, Taber continues to have a thriving agricultural industry with abundant production of crops such as sugar beets, pulses, beans and the famous Taber corn,” according to one of the museum’s online profiles. According to Karen Ingram, from the museum, the Taber and District Museum Society formed as a society and a registered charity in October of 1985. “Members immediately started collecting artifacts and archival documents to preserve the history of Taber and area and the stories of those who lived here. Working out of office space above the Post Office, they quickly reached storage limits — moving into the basement of the Town Administration Building was their next step. While there, they were able to set up occasional displays in the lobby. It wasn’t long again before they ran out of room. The town offered space in the Community Centre that was at one time used as dressing rooms for the hockey arena. The


istory is worth preserving for decades to come, just as it has always been.


society did some fundraising and applied for grants to assist in the remodelling efforts,” Ingram said. It was 1994, Ingram pointed out, when the society moved into “what seemed like a space to last them for many years to come.” “The goal of the society, when they opened the Taber Irrigation Impact Museum, was to act as an interpretive centre — offering residents and tourists a glimpse at the communities — past, present and the possible future. The main exhibit in the display area consists of a map showing the irrigation system within the M.D. of Taber. Cabinets are attached to this map, holding artifacts used to explain the beginnings of Taber,” Ingram explained. A model of Tank 77 is on display — along with items from the town’s coal mining era, Ingram said. “These are used by staff when touring with a tourist group or one of the many school groups that have visited over the years for the telling of the story of Taber. We move to the map, explaining the irrigation system and what that has meant to Taber area farmers. The next cabinet highlights some of the agricultural industries in the area.”


Changing displays flank both sides of the


aforementioned display and give society members an opportunity to share stories of the people who have come before Taberites and those from the area, “and made our town so great.” “Artifacts on display will make up a


country kitchen, a one-room school house, a tribute to our Veterans and police and fire departments — just to mention a few,” Ingram added.


Ingram said the archives held by the museum have been used by many — looking for photos and information to enhance their family history projects. “A willingness to share these resources with the community is obvious when you visit the many businesses and offices that have decorated using some of our historical photos.” Most recently, Ingram said, with COVID


regulations keeping the museum closed to the public, the museum’s attention has turned to creating booklets that tell the story of the community, at a glance. “We have done research on a wide-


range of topics following through from the start to end. Did you know there have been three hospitals in Taber and where each were? Did you know we have had many different theatres, offering live theatre — as well as motion pictures? Do you know banking started with the Eastern Townships Bank in 1906 and progressed quite rapidly? Do you know when the Highway 36 construction began and what the initial reasoning was for this highway? The answers to these and many more questions can be found at the museum,” Ingram teased. Going forward, Ingram said, the museum plans on continuing with many other research projects, “as there are still questions that need answering and we are looking forward to the days COVID is behind us, so we can once again open our doors and start accepting visitors. We believe the events of today become the history of tomorrow, and as such, have and are preserving stories from this pandemic to be added to the stories of the 1918 flu and other health crises over the last 100 years in Taber.” Ingram said the museum is slowing


entering the digital age with the society’s Facebook page. “We hope some day to do a website, but at the current time, we don’t have one.”


Alberta INROADS Summer 2021 - 13 Alberta INROADS Summer 2021 - 13


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