The Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District is no more. At its Annual General Meeting earlier this month, the board voted to dissolve as a society and hand over its remaining funds to the city.
The Pioneer Museum Society was founded in 1961, and the Grande Prairie Museum opened 10 years later. It was run by volunteers until 2007, when the City took over operations.
Visitors won’t notice any changes at the museum, other than a commemorative plaque that will be hung to honour the society’s founders and contributions for 56 years. The society also established South Peace Regional Archives in 2000, and added the Heritage Village and the Heritage Discovery Centre in Centre 2000.
The annual Isabel Campbell Award for people who have been dedicated to preserving the region’s heritage will no longer be given out. Curator Charles Taws says no other societies can take it over, and since it’s a regional award, it wouldn’t be suitable for the city to carry on.