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

National Cash Register Class 1700

This collection item is a Class 1700 National Cash Register. The serial number and model number are S484135FF and 1736E respectively. Both of the numbers

Read more

Human Appendix

This item, while extremely common, is one of only two at the Sam Waller Museum; a human appendix. Known in medical circles as a vermiform

Read more

Albino Alligator

One of a number of specimens in the collection, this American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), is unique in the fact that it was born with little

Read more

Shriner Fez Headwear

Named after the city of Fez, Morocco, the article represented the Arabian theme the founders of Shriners International founded their fraternity on. It also serves

Read more

Martian Special Crystal Radio

This is a crystal radio set manufactured by Martian Manufacturing Company Limited out of Newark, New Jersey, USA. The radio needs no battery or power

Read more