Jasper Cultural & Historical Centre
Welcome / History of the Building
The Jasper Street School was built in two stages. The first two-storey section—from the front doors to the archway—was completed in 1910 and provided four classrooms. The second section, completed in 1914, added eight more rooms—one for each grade.
J.L. Gold was the master carpenter and contractor for the construction of what is now the Jasper Centre. The building operated as a school until December 1986, when it was slated for demolition. However, a group of dedicated citizens purchased the school for $10.00 and transformed it into an arts and heritage centre.
The Fleming collection became the foundation of the museum. Since its opening on July 1, 1988, the museum has continued to grow. Today, it is the largest museum in the immediate southwest region, offering approximately 20,000 square feet of exhibition, meeting, and program space.
The Rodger Newby Western Room
This room features a striking collection of prints by famed Western artist Charlie Russell, lovingly collected and framed by local rancher Rodger Newby. These prints, taken from vintage calendars and magazines, line the walls and capture the spirit of the Old West before it faded into history. Charlie Russell was born in St. Louis in 1865 and moved to Great Falls, Montana at the age of sixteen. There, he made his home and created more than one hundred sculptures and countless paintings, becoming one of the most iconic artists of the American West. Alongside the artwork is a remarkable display of ranch gear and heritage saddles, generously donated by local ranchers and cowboys. These items showcase the various types of working saddles used by ranchers, women, and North West Mounted Police officers. Of special note is the bedroll and blanket once used by Chay Gilchrist, a well-known rancher in the area. The red “trader point” blankets on display are an “8-point” size—twice the length of a standard blanket—distinguished by the woven lines on their edge indicating their size and value in trade.
Richard Rooney Gallery
Like the other two galleries in the Jasper Centre, the Richard Rooney Gallery showcases a rotating selection of arts and heritage exhibitions that reflect the Centre’s mission. Exhibits change every two months and feature work by local and regional artists, photographers, and other creators, as well as displays on cultural and historical themes.
Our mandate is to provide a welcoming space that serves to promote diversity and inclusivity, supporting marginalized individuals, groups, and organizations through art and heritage.
Eva Small Pocket Gallery
Named after Eva Small, graduate of the Maple Creek School of Nursing, a long-time nurse and wife of local rancher Reg Small. Eva was an active member of the local Arts & Crafts Club, and founder of the Potters Club which met regularly at the Small Ranch as well as Cypress Park. She also explored painting and photography. Eva was a life-long supporter of the Arts and was an inspiration to many of her generation.
Archie Eichhorn Gallery
To the right of the Richard Rooney Gallery, we have the Archie Eichhorn Gallery. Named in honour of much beloved and long-time educator, Archie Eichhorn. During Archie’s tenure in Maple Creek, he encouraged students to participate and excel in all areas but especially the arts and drama. On the side, Archie pursued his own art, mainly oils and produced many wonderful works especially following his retirement when he had more time to devote to his craft.
The Fleming Rooms
The artefacts in these two rooms were collected by local ranchers, Irvine & Phoebe (Tootsie) Fleming.
The rooms reflect the local history and culture of the Maple Creek/Cypress Hills area. Their collection was located and displayed in a building on their ranch south of Maple Creek until it was donated to the Jasper Cultural & Historical Centre in 1987.
Irvine & Tootsie ‘s generosity has allowed visitors to the Jasper Centre the unique opportunity to view this fascinating collection. In appreciation the Jasper Centre has dedicated two rooms in their memory.
Irvine Fleming (1897 – 1987) Phoebe (Tootsie) Fleming (1902 – 1989)
Ranch Room
The buggy was a Doctor’s Buggy that Mr. Fleming used to ride in the local parade. Along the north wall you will see local brands dating back to 1900. Some were registered before 1900 and are still in use by local ranchers. You will also notice various styles of horseshoes and animal care tools. The map is a 1902 Western Canada map. Mr. Fleming also acquired Indigenous artefacts some of which are on display in the glass covered cabinets. There is a photo and pair of moccasins that belonged to Chief Pay-e-pot. Chief Pay-e-pot’s legend is closely tied to the village of Piapot.
Ranch House Room
The room is set up like a ranch house with artefacts from the 19th century, featuring lamps. The Eaton Beauty Doll, found in the bassinet, was one of the first dolls whose eyes closed when you laid it on its back. In the cabinet, as you come in, have a look at how our musical instruments and cameras have changed through the years
Upper Hallway Gallery
A highlight of the gallery is the tall, upright bookcase crafted by Hector Russell, a skilled stone and brick mason as well as a finishing carpenter from Scotland. In 1909, Russell was commissioned by the Dixon Brothers to upgrade the cabinetry in both the original store and its new additions. This particular set of cabinets, donated by Eleanor (Dixon) Mitchell, showcases the fine craftsmanship that defined Russell’s work. He also served as the contractor for St. Mary’s Anglican Church, located just across the street from the centre.
Post Office Room
All artefacts in this room were generously donated by Bill Colquhoun, who served as the postmaster from 1976 to 1986.
Upon entering, you’ll notice the original mail slot—used for many years before being replaced in the 1970s. Through the doors on the right are the old-style combination lock mailboxes, originally installed in Vidora, Saskatchewan, in 1924. On the left sits an antique scale once used for weighing parcels.
Boardwalk Room
The Dixon Brothers’ Department Store, originally built in 1883, underwent expansions in the 1890s and again in 1909. It remained a prominent fixture on the west corner of the Commercial Hotel block until the early 1960s. Most of the items on display here originate from the Dixon store. Additional exhibits include a historic dentist’s office, barbershop, the Maple Creek News—which continues to be published today—and an agricultural display reflecting the region’s rich farming heritage.
Geraldine Moodie Women’s Gallery
Named after one of Saskatchewan’s pioneering female entrepreneurs, the Geraldine Moodie Gallery celebrates the legacy of women in the southwest. This gallery features a selection of influential women from our region who made a lasting impact between 1875 and 1975, while also paying tribute to all women who helped shape the area’s history. Geraldine Moodie was the first professional female photographer working east of Winnipeg and into the Arctic. She operated a photography studio in Maple Creek from 1897 to 1901, capturing the people and landscapes of a rapidly changing frontier.
The Medical Room
This room features a collection of old medical and laboratory equipment, photographs of nursing classes, and historic nurse uniforms. On display are various tools once used by doctors, along with textbooks that guided nursing students on their path to becoming fully qualified nurses. Maple Creek was home to an early school of nursing, established in conjunction with the local hospital. In fact, the town’s first hospital was founded through the initiative and dedication of several local nurses—true pioneers in community healthcare.
Hugh Varty Railway Room
This room features a life-sized replica of a railway station office, complete with a ticket wicket and a loading dock displaying cargo from a train. Surrounding the display are numerous photographs of prairie train stations and water towers—many of which no longer exist. The artefacts in this space date back as far as 1853, offering a glimpse into the early days of rail travel. A notable highlight is a photograph commemorating the final train run from Maple Creek, Saskatchewan to London, Ontario in 1989.
Sports Room
This room celebrates the rich legacy of athletic excellence that has shaped the Maple Creek community since its earliest days. Explore the binders to uncover stories of local sports heroes, including Maple Creek’s own NHL stars and accomplished athletes across a variety of disciplines. It’s a tribute to the talent, determination, and community spirit that continue to define sports in the region.
Bert Ingram Rodeo Room
The Rodeo Room showcases memorabilia and photographs from the former Jasper Centre Ranch Rodeo, as well as other regional rodeos—including the Murraydale Stampede, the oldest continuously operating rodeo in Canada.
School Room
Located in one of the original classrooms, this space brings the early days of education to life. It features vintage desks, early textbooks, and the original blackboard from the 1910 school.
Step inside and discover how local children once learned, played, and grew in a setting that helped shape generations of our community.
Michel Oxarart Western Gallery
Michel Oxarart, the first official rancher in the Cypress Hills area, established his ranch near Davis Lake (now Cypress Lake) south of present-day Cypress Park. A Basque from the Pyrenees Mountains bordering France and Spain, Oxarart arrived in our area in 1882. This gallery contains a photo exhibition of early ranchers, artefacts associated with ranching and a large display of district brands.
NWMP Room
This room features photographs and artefacts related to the “A Division” Headquarters, once located about a mile southwest of Maple Creek. Today, the only visible reminder of the barracks is the solitary cemetery on the hillside overlooking the former site.
Victorian Parlour
This room was originally designed as a Victorian sitting room, but over time, it has evolved with various additions—including a dining table from the NWMP “A” Division Barracks. The square grand piano represents a transitional design between the harpsichord and the upright piano. These pianos were rare survivors, as most were lost over time due to the constant tuning they required. The large oil painting on display once belonged to William and Susan Pollock. While the Pollocks were building a new two-storey brick home, Mrs. Pollock asked her husband to bring back a few paintings from a business trip to Eastern Canada. This painting, along with another now displayed in the upstairs hallway, eventually found its way into the local movie theatre. Mrs. Madge Pollock, their daughter-in-law, later preserved both works and donated them to the Centre.
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