My name is Jeanne Bozak, a local resident of Barrhead, Alberta. l am very familiar with the Barrhead and District Centennial Museum, first in supporting my granddaughter when she worked there as a summer student and as a previous general member and volunteer.
I am writing in response to the April 1, 2025, article in the Barrhead Leader by Mr. Stet. At first reading this article, I was offended, but then realized the misinformation presented comes from lack of knowledge of the history. As we know with a museum history gives us knowledge and understanding. I would like to provide some history from the years I was involved.
One glaring comment stated that the museum should reflect the community and region history. He went on to say the museum did not depict much of that history. Everything in the museum reflects Barrhead history. The curator made sure the artifacts were from the Barrhead community.
The three halls were always full of displays, rotated through out the years. We need to remember not to criticize the displays, unless a person had been there to see them through the history of the museum. I am thankful for the efforts that were done in the past to make sure the artifacts were shown and all properly recorded and approved by the curator according to the Alberta museums rules. Some great displays were repaired to show, such as the Fowler chap woollies, beads on indigenous artifacts, and many other broken items so they could be used. Items were painstakingly cared for and repaired to show Barrhead's history, such as school artifacts, business displays, war time with our veterans, animals, historical clothes and so much more. Things had seen the light of the day, just maybe not the day Mr. Stel was there. The depicting of that history has been shown, and I am proud of all the people who put their hearts and hands into these items to proudly display them.
This facility was used for our tourism information site and was always open to the public during the summer months. Focus was put on being open and available for the public, summer students were hired and provided with work experience and wages, displays were rotated with many historical items and Indigenous displays shown with both knowledge and common sense, in addition to spritzing up the interior of the building.
I am excited to see the museum grow; change and utilize the space they have and be open to the public. I honour those that worked hard in past to reflect the community and regions history, all the history! Let us respect the past, present and future workings of the museum. The best thing the history showed us in Barrhead is to respect and love one another and be thankful for all that has been and wilt be done. As the definition of a museum is a place or building where objects of historical, artistic, or scientific interest are exhibited, preserved, or studied. I am proud to see this continue for all our wonderful and diverse community through the museum.
Jeanne Bozak
