The Okotoks Museum and Archives turn 20 this week.

Now a North Railway staple, the museum didn't always sit in its current location near the art gallery.

The house that became the museum was originally located on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Highway 2A.

Museum Specialist Kathy Coutts says residents banded together when the building was put in jeopardy by an impending highway expansion.

"The highway was going to be widened, and [the house] stood in the way. It was either bulldoze it, or move it. And so the community rallied together to raise funds to have it moved."

The building was moved in July, and it reopened as a museum on September 7th, 2000.

Coutts says it's seen some physical changes over the years, including a new paint job and a few renovations.

"It had been a lawyer's office immediately prior to it being a museum, so we wanted to turn it from being an office back into being what a house would have looked like when it was built in 1905."

The building represents the town's history in more than one way, and, according to Coutts, has a special personal connection with a handful of residents.

"One of the things that I've most enjoyed over the last 20 years is hearing people's stories of when they lived here. We've had lots of former residents come to visit the museum and go 'this is my bedroom,' or 'this is where I learned to play the piano.' Just hearing those personal stories of their connection to the house."

She says a lot has happened in the last 20 years.

"Really, 2000 seems like just yesterday, I don't know where the time went, but when you consider that the population of Okotoks was just over ten thousand you realize "wow, we really have changed and grown in 20 years.'"

Though a larger celebration was originally planned to mark the occasion, it had to be scaled down due to health concerns.

This weekend, residents are welcome to stop by for an open house that will feature displays chronicling the building's history, as well as a video containing footage of the move.

Those wishing to pay a visit are reminded that the museum is a municipal building, and masks will be required upon entering.

 

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