CUT KNIFE — The evening of Aug. 21, a member of the Cut Knife community, while out on a walk through the museum grounds, noticed glass on the train station door was smashed, resulting in a call to the RCMP.
“Most of the damage involved broken glass,” museum chair Colton Stapley, says.
“The window on the exterior door had all nine of its panes smashed out. We had a large antique display case full of model trains that were donated by a community member, with both the front and top panes of glass smashed on it. We had an antique mannequin that was displaying an old railroad uniform. It was knocked over with the head smashed in. The vandals also destroyed several dishes that we had on display.”
Stapley says the repairs will be self-funded by the museum, and this will, unfortunately, have to come out of funds they had earmarked for upgrades and maintenance elsewhere, leaving the committee to make up this expense.
“This was the first break-in or vandalism in a long time. I have been on the board for seven years and it's the first we have had in that time, though there have been break-and-enters and acts of vandalism in the past,” notes Stapley
The Clayton McLain Memorial Museum Incorporated was founded in 1971 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. The museum was named after a local farmer who had always been interested in prairie life and was especially fascinated with First Nations culture and the events of 1885.
The museum has been an important partner in community activities and events through the years. You can find out more details about the museum on their website https://cmmmcutknife.ca/about-us
The museum has the largest board that they have had in several years with 10 members and a volunteer curator. The group will be working to repair the damage as well as come up with ideas on how to fundraise or come up with the money that was earmarked for other expenses.
“I would like to thank the local community for their support with this unfortunate incident. We have had many comments showing people's disgust over this act of vandalism as well as many people sharing their stories of being staff members in years gone by. There have also been over 150 shares on our Facebook post about this. It's really amazing to see how important the museum is to our community and the part it played in so many current and former community members’ lives,” adds Stapley.
