Exhibitions
Welcome to the Sundre & District Museum! This three-gallery museum, features the Niels Eskesen Reception Gallery, Pioneer Village and the Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife, showcasing the lives and culture of our historic community. The artefacts, buildings and wonderful natural surroundings will inspire you to explore, dare you to experience and hopefully captivate your engagement.
Reception Gallery
The Niels Eskesen Reception Gallery's construction, which began in 2002, started as a means of improving the way the museum staff collected, displayed and stored its collection. This building is open year-round to our guests and houses the main collection and is the gateway to the Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife.
The Niels Eskesen
Reception Gallery
Welcome Center and Main Gallery Collection
The Niels Eskesen Reception Gallery construction began in 2002 and started as a means of improving the way the museum staff collected, displayed and stored its collection. This building is open year-round to our guests. It houses the welcome desk, gift shop, bookstore, and showcases the main collection in various unique permanent and rotating exhibits. It is also the gateway to the wonderful World of Wildlife! Families can interact in gallery scavenger hunts that have been known to follow themes. March may find you searching for all things green while November may have you looking for the hidden poppies. Come wander through the foundational stories of Sundre, learn about the Women of Aspenland and spend a little time exploring your history with us!
The Pioneer Village (Outdoors)
The Pioneer Village
Open seasonally, the Sundre & District Museum is nestled in the heart of the historic Riverside District in the Town of Sundre. This four-acre picturesque greenspace is the home of several historic buildings. Come join us for events such as Alberta Culture Days and Winterfest. Celebrate Canada Day with the traditional flag raising, a music concert and fun and games in the courtyard. Perhaps a stroll in the gardens and a picnic by the sandbox is a relaxing end to a spectacular drive along the Cowboy Trail. Visit the pioneer house to experience how early settlers forged the west and created communities just like Sundre. Inquire about booking our outdoor spaces – exchange vows in front of the chapel, host a reunion or plan a family talent contest on our outdoor stage. The possibilities are endless.
The Chester Mjolsness
World of Wildlife Exhibit
World of Wildlife Exhibit
Welcome to the World of Wildlife exhibit at the Sundre & District Museum – a remarkable natural history taxidermy collection generously donated in full by Mr. Chester Mjolsness. While the term "closed exhibit" might suggest exclusivity, rest assured it simply means this extraordinary collection will remain as Mr. Mjolsness intended for future generations to enjoy, allowing us to share it with visitors like you.
In collaboration with local artisans and designers, including muralist Lorraine Hughes and exhibit designers Povl and Bibianne Munksgaard, Mountain View Taxidermy Ltd., the World of Wildlife exhibit has been meticulously crafted to transport visitors on an imaginary trip around the globe. As you explore this awe-inspiring exhibit, you'll encounter a breathtaking array of species from every corner of the world, each one a testament to the beauty and diversity of our planet's wonderous ecosystems.
Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and conservation through the World of Wildlife exhibit, where the wonders of nature await your exploration.
A journey of discovery and conservation where the wonders of nature await your exploration
Book a guided tour with one of our very knowledgeable docents.
Try your hand at our skull identification activity.
Touch and Feel as You Explore our Interactive Table.
Chester Mjolsness
We are deeply honored to have been chosen as the recipient of this exceptional donation. Mr. Mjolsness's desire to share his experiences from his global travels, along with his impressive taxidermy collection of animals, embodies the spirit of generosity and cultural enrichment.
Chester Mjolsness's adventures have taken him across continents, from the vast landscapes of Australia to the lush forests of New Zealand and from the savannas of Africa to the rugged terrains of Asia. His journeys have spanned diverse landscapes and cultures, offering him the opportunity to create a collection of specimens from a wide array of habitats.
“Awesome experience, and a lot more than we were expecting especially for $10. The refurbished village and various artefacts conveyed a very deep history of the area. The highlight was of course the wildlife exhibit. Well worth the visit!"
Aidan Murphy, via Google