Co-op and Ranchland Mall Merchants Association donate to upcoming museum project

Pincher Creek Co-op GM David Crowell (center)
presents a cheque to Tracy Glen (right) and Colleen Cyr
of  KBPV  at the site of a future exhibit that will celebrate
 90 years of Co-op in Pincher Creek
Pauline Breeze photo

The Pincher Creek District & Historical Society, which manages Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village (KBPV), was the recipient of  two generous donations recently.  The first was from the Pincher Creek Co-op for $3,000, presented by General Manager David Crowell to go toward a display at KBPV that will celebrate the 90th  anniversary of the Pincher Creek Co-op. “This is the first cheque,” said Crowell, explaining that in the spring there will be another donation toward the exhibit.

The Pincher Creek District & Historical Society also accepted a generous amount of $247.50 from the Ranchland Mall Tenants Association. Historical Society president Colleen Cyr suggested that this donation would go towards the 90th anniversary Co-op exhibit as well.

Loretta Packham ("Mrs. P") presents a cheque to
Colleen Cyr on behalf of the Ranchland Mall
Merchants Association
Stuart Russell photo

“What we're proposing to do is build 3-D facades of all five Co-op buildings used during the 90 years history, none of which are still here.  This will be built on east end of the Beere Hall, in the middle of Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. It will anchor the 1920’s era exhibit. We wanted the community to get involved as well.  In the window of the creamery we want to put cream cans from the families that still might have their cream cans at home, with their name on it. If you've got your cream can with your name on it, it's $250 to donate it,” continued Cyr.


For an additional $50 the Village will supply the cream can.  “The really neat thing about this is, Arnie Thompson is still here, and he's the one who wrote everybody's name on their cream cans for years and years at the Co-op, and he is going to put the names on the cream cans again."  Cyr said that burlap feed sacks with people's name or business name on them would also be available for a donation of $100, to be part of the lumber-yard portion of the exhibit.

Another way that the historical society is planning on raising money for this project is a gala called "Wild Night at the Waldorf" that will happen September 1, 2012.  All ticket holders get dinner, a Theatrical Skit by the Windy Hollow Players, with live music performed by local musicians Jacquie Therriault and Kevin Fitzpatrick. Refreshments are available throughout the evening.

"The historical setting for our event would be the eye-catching Waldorf Hotel, a temperance complex on the former Bridge Avenue caught in a "Blind Pig" on New Year's Day 1918,”  according to curator Farley Wuth.  Years later, the frontier structure equipped with a second floor verendah served as the offices and lumber yard for the Pincher CreekCo-op.

 Everyone will receive a swag bag to help navigate the rustic boardwalks of rambunctious Pincher Creek circa the 1920s prohibition era.  A VIP swag bag also includes gambling money, extra treats that make you part of the evenings action, and a $25 tax deductable receipt.  Tickets are $50 per person. Everyone will have the chance to enjoy historical vignettes throughout the village during the evening.  Tickets are available at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village 10am – 8pm daily. There will be prizes for best period costume. Tickets will be sold until Tuesday August 28.

 All the money raised during this function will go toward the Co-op Display.    For more information, to book tickets or to volunteer contact Toni at 403-627-3684, or go to the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village (1037 Bev McLachlin Drive, Pincher Creek).