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

“Discover Australia with Shell” Trading Cards

This collection item is actually four trading cards produced by Shell Australia. In the 1960s, Shell Australia started a promotion called “Discover Australia with Shell”.

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Pyrite

This collection’s item is actually two pieces of pyrite. Pyrite is an iron sulfide and the most common of the sulfide minerals. It is found in

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Irish Needlepoint

This needlepoint was done by a woman named Mrs. Seale who lived in Laois County, Ireland. The needlepoint was sent to Sam Waller by her

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Queen Victoria Boer War Chocolate Tin

The Second African War or Second Boer War was fought between 1899 and 1902, and was between the United Kingdom and Ireland (which included Canada,

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Toy Boat

This collections item is a small toy boat made in Occupied Japan. After World War Two ended, American General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge

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