Gem of the West to unveil new Laundry exhibit in 2024

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

The Gem of the West Museum in Coaldale is unveiling a new exhibit in 2024 focused on the evolution of laundry practices throughout the years and the role launderers have played in the towns history.

Visitors to the museum can look forward to the new exhibit which includes artifacts from various periods from the 1900s-1960s. The exhibit will allow visitor to explore the tools, techniques, and traditions which has shaped this essential chore. From washboards and wringers to various irons and other equipment, the exhibit will showcase the evolution of laundry technology and highlight the role of laundry in Coaldale’s commercial past and cultural history. Day added, “the museum has a very symbiotic relationship with the Town,” and said the Town of Coaldale owns the building and allows the museum to operate out of the space and provide the museum with the necessary tools to operate. 

Day said of the new laundry exhibit, “it has been a project two years in the making.” 

Manager of the Gem of the West museum Craig Day said, “we do have a brief little times that kind of starts in the early 1900s and then jumps to the 1920s and then the 1960s. But we also have this Coaldale connection which is what we always strive to do here at the museum. There was a laundromat that I think was back in 1905 or 1907 which was run by a couple of Chinese descent. Later on there was this dry cleaning and clothing store,” he explained.

“We kind of have two (information) boards talking about each of their stories a little bit and their connection to the community and families in the community.” 

“We are a non-profit so non-profits, no matter where always struggle to obtain finances. The museum relies on several annual fundraisers each year, and receives grant funding as well. In June, the museum is planning on hosting a murder-mystery fundraiser night, working in collaboration with the Fire Hall Theatre group out of Medicine Hat. Day added one of the best ways to support the museum is to visit the museum. 

“Just coming out and seeing all we have to offer. We get a lot of comments that there is so much to see, and it’s hard to take it all in in one visit. The other unfortunate comment we hear is that people were not aware that there is a museum in Coaldale.” 

“Coaldale is a rural community in the grand scheme of things (…) rural museums struggle, I think, to stay viable sometimes, and so having the right people in those places to project and relay that history is very important.” 

Day added the museum is also working on getting some signage for the entrances into town so people are aware of the museum. 

Included in the exhibit is historical artifacts and localized histories of commercial launderers

As the Gem of the West Museum continues to expand its offerings and engage with the community, the upcoming laundry exhibit stands as a testament to the institution’s commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Coaldale and its residents. Day said these local historical connections provide value to the museum as well. 

“I am not originally from Coaldale so I get the pleasure pf having people come in and learn from them just as much as I can teach other people about what I have learned,” and said assigning the artifacts with a monetary value is an “impossible” task and said the intrinsic value of the artifacts in the collection are that they have cultural or historical ties to the people of Coaldale. 

“I think preserving out past is vital. Every family has a story and it is just important not to lose those rural roots,” Day added. 

Stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars for the grand season opening “Cowpoke Day” on Saturday May 4, 2024. The event is free and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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