Our Collections

Our Permanent Collection is based on the extensive and varied collection of Mr. Sam Waller. Containing over 70,000 items, the collection includes natural history specimens, human history artifacts, books and library materials, photographs and negatives, fine art pieces and the archives of the Town of The Pas. While our founder collected from the four corners of the world, the Museum now limits new accessions to those items that are pertinent to the history of the community and region. Many items from the collection can be viewed in our exhibits.

Our small Education Collection has been developed with duplicates of items in the permanent collection, in addition to items specifically donated for this collection. These items are used in our educational programming for youth and school groups. A work in progress, we are always looking to expand this collection with interesting items that can be used to tell the stories of our past. Please contact the Museum staff for more details.

Collections Portal

Visit our online collections database here.

The museum is working to update our collections database and make collections items visible online with the support of the Government of Canada and Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage. 

Archives Portal

Browse our archival holdings here.

The museum has digitized a portion of its archival holdings with the support of Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage and Community Futures Cedar Lake. Contact us to learn how you can view archival items. 

From the Vault

Featured Items from our Collection

Woven Shoes

Rough sandals are made from woven straw and twine.  This type of slip-on shoe is worn today in Japan on many occasions.  Different pairs are

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Snowy Owl

Sam Waller wrote in his Bird Records that this specimen was: “found in a snow bank under a Hydro pole. It is not known how

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Cree Syllabic Typewriter

This artifact is a standard Remington typewriter with Cree Syllabics instead of English letters on the keys.  It is secured in the case by two

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Birch Bark Purse

Handmade container that is dark brown on the outside with tan and blue reed and white and blue bead embellishments. The bottom inside of the

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Badger

Badger Chordata Mammalia Carnivora taxus  Common Badger The powerful legs and claws enable the badger to burrow underground in search of food (squirrels, mice, etc.)

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