Museums and Archives - Museum or Archive Details

Located in historic Cochrane Provincial Park, the site of Alberta’s first big ranch (1881), The Western Heritage Centre is the first major attraction in Canada dedicated to ranching and rodeo. Its completion in 1996 was the result of a long-held joint dream of the Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation and the Canadian Historical Rodeo Association. Visitors to the 87,000 square foot centre are taken through a story-line which sees change as the only constant in a historic but ongoing way of life. Through hands-on interactive exhibits, the threads of continuity and change are woven into the development of ranching from an open range frontier enterprise to a modern high-tech industry, and rodeo from a work-related recreational activity to a highly organized professional sport.

Much more than text panels and artifacts, the centre’s exhibits engage the viewer through a variety of media. A visitor can touch a computer screen for more information on horse and cattle breeds or cowboy terminology. Quizzes allow self-testing and scoring. Young cowboys or cowgirls can mount a saddle and see themselves riding a horse across a computer screen. Whether milking a cow, assessing the impact of poor range management, conducting soil testing, designing feed rations, saddling a horse, assembling a jig-saw map of Western Canada, or simply enjoying a self-selected cowboy song or ranching video, visitors to the Western Heritage Centre are participants rather than spectators.
The working world of the rancher and cowboy is presented in other ways. Roping, riding and other demonstrations are regular attractions outside the centre, while special events like ice cream making and quilting engage the public in more specific aspects of pioneer life. The 209-seat theatre is designed to allow visitors to view livestock sales and auctions. Educational and special entertainment events can also be accommodated in the fully equipped classroom. The rustic Hall of Vision, the 250-seat restaurant and the Rodeo Hall of Fame Lounge all command magnificent views, and are ideal for visitor relaxation or for a range of social
and professional activities. The Horsemen’s Art Gallery houses a permanent collection of paintings by western artist Robert Magee, and will host regular traveling exhibits of painting, sculpture, photography or folk art. Visitors are welcome to browse or research in the well-stocked library.

Open: Summer: daily 9-8. Labour Day-Victoria Day: daily 9-5. Admission is charged. Giftshop. Restaurant services. Wheelchair accessible. Located 1/2 km N of Cochrane on Hwy 22. . Web site: http://www.whcs.com