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.

Mary and Jane McQuitty

I have watched Cochrane grow into the large town it is today, and I am sure it will retain a great deal of its character through the many changes.

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Mrs Chester and Mrs Sid Chester Grand Valley 1895

Sid Chester

One boy, Wallace R., passed away in 1913; the other boy lost his life in World War I. 

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CHAPS A.G.M.

Sunday, March 24th, 2024 at 2:00 pm FCSS Building – Basement Entrance is on the north side of the building This meeting will cover:  1. Approval of minutes of previous Annual General Meeting    2. Presentation of Financial Statements of 2023   3. President’s Report   4. Committee Reports   5. Updates:  a) Spring Dinner – April   20th, 2024 b) Stump Project c) Celebration of CHAPS’s

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Towers Ranch

During the 1930’s the government was paying men $5.00 per month to work on farms and ranches and paid farmers $5.00 per month towards room and board. This was the first so-called “government assistance” Grandpa ever got.

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