A team of horses takes visitors on a ride through the Western Development Museum's historic village on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

History in Motion

History in Motion draws community together in celebration of bygone era

Aug 19, 2024 | 4:29 PM

As music of a bygone era was piped over the main street of the historical village at the Western Development Museum this past weekend, excitement in the air was palpable.

Rob Cates watches Blacksmith Carry Grant hammer a treble clef ornament at the Western Development Museum’s historic village on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“This is the third year that it’s been held as History in Motion,” said Sharain Jones, operations manager.

Heather O’Neill, programs and volunteer coordinator demonstrates how to make butter at the Western Development Museum’s History of Motion event on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

She explained the event’s original name “Those were the Days” was given the update in 2022 to be more inclusive for both people and the province. This year marks the 75th anniversary and the weekend featured live demonstrations of butter churning, quilting, rides in classic vehicles or horse-drawn carriages while the Parade of Power brought everyone out to see classic farming equipment.

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Mary Scherman and Bernice Stebanuk join other members of the Battleford Quilters in working on a new quilt at the Western Development Museum’s History of Motion event on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Meanwhile, as part of the continued celebrations, a time capsule will have an official sealing ceremony later this week and will feature items from this year.

A steam tractor makes its way down the street during the Parade of Power at the Western Development Museum’s historic village on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“A glimpse of what life was like, and what some of the challenges and triumphs people were living in 2024,” she said.

“We’re still dealing with an aftermath of a world – global pandemic and what resulted from that with supply chain issues and rising costs of everything.”

Items for the time capsule that will be opened in 25 years at the Western Development Museum’s History of Motion event on Sun., Aug. 18. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The time capsule will be sealed for 25 years and opened on the WDM’s 100th anniversary.

“The world has changed quite a bit,” she said.

“Some for the better, some – there could be improvements.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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