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

Novelty Revolver Pipe

It may look like a hand revolver, but in fact this is a long stemmed novelty pipe.  When held correctly, the butt of the gun faces

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Christ Church Anglican Door Key

This large intricate key, along with its accompanying lock, is believed to be from a Hudson’s Bay Company ship dating to the early 1800s.  The

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Beaded Tie

This loom beaded tie has horizontal stripes of white, orange, blue, yellow, red, green, and pink beads.  There are gold-coloured meal beads among these stripes. 

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Trade Powder Flask

A grey powder flask with a sea shell embossed embellishment on either side. The dispenser is gold and has a mini lever to dispense powder.

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Haida Pot-latch Spoon

Pot-latch Spoon ladle and handle are carved from a single piece of mountain goat horn. Spoon is curved and has two parallel lines of engraved

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