CHAPS Cochrane Historical Museum
Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society
Beautiful Scenery
Visitors to the CHAPS Museum in Cochrane, Alberta are within an hour’s drive of Banff National Park and the mountain playgrounds west of Calgary that offer year round outdoor activities in a beautiful setting.
Located within The Cochrane Ranche
The Dominion Government incorporated a company in 1881 and it was known as the Cochrane Ranche Company. (excerpt from Big Hill Country page 155).
The Museum Building's History
Constructed in 1909 by the Davies family using bricks from the Collin’s Brick Yard. Built to be used as a hospital/nursing home and private residence. Moved to its current site in 2014.
Experience the history of
Canada's West
Through the eyes of its settlers, ranchers and farmers;
the service and supply businesses, the educators and more.
Carpe Diem: Memories of the Old Cochrane School
In the late 40s a Mr. Gish was the principal of the school. He had served in WWII and tended to run the school like a military operation. Before entering the school in the morning or afternoon we would line up in front of the building with the boys in one line and girls in another. Mr. Gish had a school bell and we had to march into the school in time with the bell.
Top Ten posts of 2025 10 through 6
We’re happy to show you the top ten posts of 2025. We’ll start with 10 through 6.
Celebrating the Town of Cochrane’s Commitment to Heritage
At CHAPS (Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society), we believe that history is more than stories from the past — it is the foundation of our community’s identity and future. Today, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Town of Cochrane for their continued support of our work.
Mason Movie Village: Alberta’s Role in a Hollywood Western
The Mason movie village is one of several sets in the Cochrane area.
Started in 2005 by Jane and Tim Mason, it has hosted several movies, TV series and music videos. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck were among the cast of the first shot at the movies village, The Assassination of Jesse James.
Framing Alberta’s Story: From Polo Fields to Oil Fields (1905–1940)
Today, CHAPS was honoured to receive a gift from Obsidian Energy Ltd (previously Penn West Exploration, Penn West Petroleum & Penn West Trust) of beautifully framed photographs representing various aspects of Alberta’s history from 1905 to 1940 — a period that shaped the foundation of our province. We also thank Wanda Slipp for thinking of CHAPS and delivering the collection to us.
Norris Family
Electricity came to the district in 1950 and that made life much easier for both farmer and farmer’s wife! Mechanical milking machines, refrigeration systems, bulk tanks and pipeline systems were added to the farms as they became available.
