This summer is setting up to be a busy one at the Biggar Museum. Right now there is an art show in the gallery, with 11 local artists showing their best work. Adjudication by Carol Wylie will take place on May 28th at 1:30pm. On June 4th the museum is hosting a pancake breakfast. June 24th business owners are invited to a Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation presentation focused on the advantages of declaring your building "historic". The original concrete plaques from the old Thornton school are available for viewing.

Linda Hoult's art.

Laura Latimer's art.

Hilda Dielson's art.

Eve Campbell's art.

Cindy Hodge's art.

Chris Hodge's art.

Cheryl Hare's art.

Ann Rice's art.

Ljubica Fa Hardi's art.

Lynn Strendin's art.

Michaela Hoppe's art.

The Biggar Museum gathers the history of Biggar and surrounding area and makes it available to the public. Whether you are learning about early Saskatchewan settlers in school, researching the history of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad, or digging up your own family history, the Biggar Museum wants to help!

The Royden Donahue Exhibit Gallery is the central focus of the Museum, and contains educational exhibits and a reading room for your researching needs. We are also home to the Credit Union Art Gallery where, in partnership with the Biggar District Arts Council, we bring Visual Arts to the community. In the Credit Union Gallery you can expect to see both fabulous local artists and renowned Canadian artists whose works are relevant and interesting to the rural community. And don't forget to visit our Gift Shop!

However, The Biggar Museum doesn't just deal with historic artifacts and research information. Many community events and fundraisers use our facility as a home base, and we are thrilled to have them! The "Photo Gallery" page shows a sample of events we have hosted throughout the years and the "Calendar" application allows viewers to become active in these events.

Please take a look around, and familiarize yourself with all the fun and interesting things that the Biggar Museum & Gallery has to offer. Enjoy, and we hope to see you soon!

Our hours: WINTER - After Labour Day to after May long weekend Monday - Friday 1:00 - 5:00. SUMMER After May long weekend to Labour Day Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 - 5:00.

 

Gone but not Forgotten

By Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum & Gallery

Thornton School, 1924-1972. The stone plaques that once adorned this majestic building have been found and are now at the museum.


It was built in 1924 and stood proud on the north side of 6th Avenue East. The year was embossed on stone and hung high above the front doors. Above the entry, the name of the school was hung with pride.
For only 48 years, it was the place where the children of Biggar learned their 3 R’s. Grades 1-11 sat at their desks and learned their lessons (or day dreamed).
It started out as a four room, two story structure, and in no time discovered it was just not big enough for all the scholars in the area. In 1927 another four room 2 storey structure was added to the north side of the existing building. Over 500 students filled the rooms!


To commemorate the largest employer of the area, Canadian National Railway, the school was named after its President. Sir Henry Thornton.
Fourteen teachers took charge of all the students in the eight classrooms. The students themselves organized the Literacy Society and created the School Bank. The School Activities Association, later became the Student Council, organized fund raisers and created other activities for the energetic minds and bodies. There was even a 16 piece orchestra.
In 1972 Thornton School no longer met the needs of the education system and it was torn down to be replaced by the Woodrow Lloyd School which was built on the same site. All that was left were the stone plaques from the front of the building.


Jack Haffermehl reminded the museum that those plaques had been unseen for 44 years. With the help of one of board members, and cooperation by the Town of Biggar employees, those plaques are now at the museum. They are up against our new planter on the patio.
I wonder how many of those in our town walked under these stones. What school day memoires are out there? School day pranks, memorable occasions cannot all be lost!