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
Large chocolate brown butterfly with wings spread open. Wings are chocolate brown with cream edges. Light blue spots line edge of wings.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Nymphalis antiopa, commonly known as the “mourning cloak butterfly” are a deep red butterfly with a cream white border and elongated blue ovals along the

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Hat Pins

Hat pins have been used since the early 1400’s but enjoyed renewed popularity starting in the 1890’s. Fashion at that time demanded ornate up-do’s and

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Sam Waller’s Diary

Sam Waller was an avid diarist who faithfully kept a diary throughout his life in addition to his other notes, papers, and writings. The Sam

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Centennial Souvenir Tray

The year 1970 marked Manitoba’s 100th year as a province of Canada. At the time of Confederation, the land now known as Manitoba was split

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Beaver Embryos

Did you know that Sam Waller’s natural history collection spans both dry and wet specimens? Dry specimens are animals or insects that have not been

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