Blog – Page 19

Museum staffing future clouded

November 25, 2019 by Mark Boothby

The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) was recently cancelled. CHAPS has used the STEP program this past summer to partially fund the salaries of 2 summer employees. (Photo of Jade Lewis and Tim Collard)

With the cancellation of the program, CHAPS is exploring other options for the funding of summer employees to maintain our summer hours of operation.

A link to the Province’s announcement follows: https://www.alberta.ca/step.aspx

Comments or suggestions? Comments are moderated so please keep the nature of comments positive.

Man of the Times – Andy Marshall

February 21, 2026November 25, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Andy Marshall talks about his involvement with the Cochrane Times.

From the Livestories Programme: 100 Stories for 100 Years. Produced by Barry Thorson & Lone Wolf Theatre Company. Years ago, CHAPS sponsored the production of videos from Cochrane residents to capture their stories.

CHAPS has created a Youtube channel to present these wonderful stories.

Thanks to our supporters during the Flood

November 22, 2019 by Mark Boothby

In the spring of 2019, the Cochrane Historical Museum was damaged by flood waters from the Big Hill Springs Creek. The lower floor of the Museum containing office space, archives, and research area was damaged by a couple feet of water.

CHAPS, the umbrella organization that runs the Museum put out the call for assistance to help us restore the museum.

We’d like to thank the following people and organizations that came to the rescue. We’re overwhelmed by the generosity and level of support. It really shows how much people treasure the link to history.

DONATIONS - Individuals

Anonymous
Jen Barton
Heather Brosseau
Yvonne Callaway
Lloyd & Clare Copithorne
Jim & Lydia Graham
Kathleen Holland
Wally & Lois Irons
Norline Johnson
Kate King
Austin Long
Tim & Jane Mason
Angus & Jean MacKenzie
Jerry McClyment
Terry & Lorna McNeill
William Meggeson
Bill & Jo-Anne Meller
Kaitlin Mercier
Pauline Murray
W. Penner, R. Penner, T. Penner
W. Malcolm Sharp
David Stinson
Heinrich Karl & Marilyn Unger
Kari Wenz
Valerie Wilson
Lawrence & Patricia Woods

DONATIONS	Corporations
	Charitable groups
	Service groups

Bow View Rebekah Lodge 125
Cochrane Big Hill Needle Arts
Cochrane Legion – Branch 15
Cochrane Lioness Lions Club
Cochrane Men’s Walking Group
Drycleaning by Dave
FortisAlberta Inc.
Inter Pipeline Ltd.
Red Hat Society - Cochrane
Riverbend Interiors Floors & Décor
Royal Mechanical Services Ltd.
Totem Charitable Foundation
Town of Cochrane
Treasures for Your Home Society
UFA Co-operative Limited
Winter Photographics

CHAPS offers our sincere Thank You!

Luggage Cart Renovations

December 14, 2019November 18, 2019 by Mark Boothby

CHAPS is restoring a luggage cart once used at the Cochrane Railway Station.

Mike Taylor and Lonnie Basiuk are leading the project. They have disassembled and examined each of the parts. While well constructed, they’ve discovered most of the wood needs replacing. The metal parts will be sand blasted. The cart will soon be painted, reassembled and join the collection of the Cochrane Historical Museum.

Thanks to Wayne Hilland & family for rescuing and donating the cart.

Winters of Discontent – Fred Stenson

February 21, 2026November 16, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Years ago CHAPS sponsored the creation of 100 Stories for 100 Years. Last year we created a YouTube channel that highlights these local stories. The producer of the series is Barry Thorson of Lone Wolf Theatre Company.

This video is the first we’ll highlight on our website blog.

Author Fred Stenson talks about the history of the Cochrane Ranche and his book Lightning.

Does your project need a Cochrane flair?

November 14, 2019 by Mark Boothby

We have a good supply of Cochrane bricks. Tell us about your project and we may be able to help.

Phase 2 Historic Signs Installed

November 14, 2019 by Mark Boothby

CHAPS recently sponsored the installation of 5 more historic signs. Each sign details a bit of the history involved with the site and why it’s important to our local story.

They include the Range Grill, Murray Hardware, Camden House, Shoemaker shop, and Meat Locker plant.

Thanks to all the volunteers and contractors that helped with the construction and installation. These signs help CHAPS fulfill our mission of educating people about the history of our beautiful town.

My first visit to the Museum after flood repairs.

November 10, 2019November 2, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Today was my first chance to get back into the Cochrane Historical Museum after flood damage this past spring. The exhibits on the first floor were unharmed but the archives, work area and meeting space on the lower floor were significantly damaged.

I am sure impressed. Not only have repairs been done but it looks better and more functional than before. The area is divided into an Archives, meeting space and research space that is more attractive and useful than before.

Meeting area and one research station

The chance of future flooding reaching the Museum has been eliminated by adding a berm.

Berm to reduce flooding

Access to the lower floor has been improved by making changes to the original stairs.

Improved access to lower floor

Thanks to all the volunteers, donators and contractors that made this possible. The history of our beautiful town can again be displayed.

CHAPS Fundraiser Oct 19th

November 3, 2019October 18, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Doors open Saturday 5:00PM at Cochrane Royal Canadian Legion. Cochrane Now Article

Helping youth find the right volunteer opportunity – Volunteer Vibe | Parlons Bénévolat

November 9, 2019October 3, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Helping youth find the right volunteer opportunity – Volunteer Vibe | Parlons Bénévolat
— Read on blog.volunteer.ca/helping-youth-find-the-right-volunteer-opportunity/

Innisfail Historic Village Visit

November 9, 2019October 3, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Alberta has a rich history and no end of Museum’s to record and educate. Local CHAPS members recently visited Innisfail’s Historic Village to learn more about Central Alberta.

2019 President’s Message

November 12, 2019September 20, 2019 by Mark Boothby

The yearly planned activities of CHAPS was suddenly interrupted and altered during the late evening of March 23rd, 2019. The Big Hill Creek overflowed it’s banks resulting in the flooding of our Museum basement.

Thanks to members of the Cochrane Fire Department and CHAPS volunteers, many historical and cultural artifacts, books, photo albums and other objects were saved. We were very fortunate to not of lost our entire basement and contents.

This event shattered our sense of safety. Though heartbroken and devastated, CHAPS members and volunteers rallied together to repair the damages. This publicly demonstrated how CHAPS members and volunteers are dedicated and devoted to help protect, preserve and maintain the history of Cochrane and the surrounding areas.

As a result, many individuals, non-profit organizations and local businesses made financial donations to help recoup our losses.

Remember “out of tragedy, good things happen”. Human nature cannot live without the news. Through the local news print and social media applications, information about CHAPS has spread very quickly. This raised public awareness and visibility has helped mobilize people to support our identity, goals , values and purpose.

We must keep and improve this “recognition process” moving forward in 2020. We must move ahead with vigor, passion and fixed determination to achieve our goals. We all need to keep going.

It’s important for our volunteers to know what an enormous gift you give by simply helping and caring. Thank you.

Larry Want

President

CHAPS

Cochrane Brick donation

November 7, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mark Boothby

Thanks to Malcolm Strong for donating Cochrane bricks to CHAPS. They were from the Moore house on Ross Ave. & William St. There are 8 pallets with about 200 bricks per pallet.

Can anyone in Downey, CA assist CHAPS?

August 20, 2019 by Mark Boothby

CHAPS has been contacted by a resident of Downey, CA about an Estate sale for Findlay’s who once lived in Cochrane. Apparently, they had quite a lot of memorabilia from the area including this site plan from 1914. It would be extremely helpful if someone in Downey could give these treasures a look on our behalf.

Timothy Collard joins Jade. In his own words
“Tim Collard holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Mary’s University. He will be pursuing his Master’s in History at the University of Calgary in the fall focusing on historiography and the role of narrative in history. Tim moved to Cochrane with his family in 1984 and grew up in the community. His first job was at MacKay’s Ice Cream and he graduated from Cochrane High in 2001. For the past two years, Tim has been a regular busker at the Cochrane Farmer’s Market and can often be found around town playing guitar with his father. Tim is passionate about the stories that shape a community and he is excited for the opportunity to share some of the stories of Cochrane this summer at the Cochrane Historical Museum.’

Heritage Awards at Cochrane Art Show

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 by Mark Boothby

CHAPS President Larry Want presents the Heritage Award to Janette Whittle for “Grannies Dishes”.

Honourable Mention went to Annabelle Denson for “In the Old Day’s”.

Repairs are underway

May 10, 2019April 30, 2019 by Mark Boothby

This may not look like much to many people but we’re super excited.

Day 4 and the crew is making good progress.

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CHAPS offers our sincere Thank You!

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Thanks to Wayne Hilland & family for rescuing and donating the cart.

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