Learn the history behind the monuments of RCMP Centennial Park, including our very own Eddie the Squirrel! Eddie the Squirrel There have been various stories regarding the adoption of Edson’s beloved mascot, Eddie the Squirrel over the years, however, according to an Edson Leader story from September 1973, the wives of Edson Town Council members were the genesis of this community’s furry representative. The ladies congregated over coffee one evening while their husbands were at a council meeting to brainstorm ways to promote Edson at an upcoming Alberta Urban Municipalities convention in Jasper. As it happens, Mrs. Millie Crawford (wife of Mayor Dr. Jim Crawford) had been purchasing little pottery squirrels that Art and Frances Ciciarelli made from Edson clay for quite a while to use as gifts. It was decided that if Jasper could claim a bear for their mascot, Edson could claim a squirrel. (We have heard the story that, to foster the friendly rivalry between Edson and Hinton, Mrs. Crawford said, “How about a squirrel because they think we’re all nuts anyway!” She was kidding, but everyone thought it was funny so they kept it. This was mentioned to Galloway staff by a relative, however it has not been verified.) The Ciciarelli’s, with the help of the aforementioned ladies, councillors, their children and anyone else that could be roped into helping, created 400 painted and glazed squirrels for the AUM delegates. Among other promotional items, they also created badges with squirrels on them and wrote the town name on 100 pounds of peanuts for Edson Councillors to hand out wherever they went. From the Edson Leader: Now while Edson’s Town Council members are involved with the serious business of Alberta’s urban problems, their wives will be busy as hostesses making darn sure that everyone who attends the convention will KNOW WHERE EDSON IS LOCATED the next time they are asked. In 1980, a cement Eddie the Squirrel, designed by Trygve Seland, was installed and proudly welcomed travelers to the visitor centre in front of the Edson Chamber of Commerce office in RCMP Centennial Park for about 30 years. In 2009, Eddie Sr. was given a well-earned retirement. In 2011, in conjunction with the reopening of the Galloway Station Museum & Travel Centre, Eddie Jr. (designed by Skookum Creative Works) was unveiled in the center of the park, complete with a cast bronze spruce cone and a stylized airbrush paint job. The inspiration for Eddie the Squirrel is a great story of a community coming together to promote the Town of Edson in a light-hearted, entertaining fashion. In any incarnation, Eddie has always been a draw for travelers and locals, with thousands of people stopping in to pose with our large red squirrel. Check out more pics of Eddie the Squirrel and upload your own! Yellowhead Ram The western slopes of the Rocky Mountains have been home to bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadenais) for thousands of years, and the Cadomin area has produced the biggest in the world. This monument is a tribute to the wildlife of this area and is dedicated to the organizations and individuals whose responsible stewardship has ensured and will continue to ensure the survival and growth of all our wilderness resources. In memory of Vicky Low. Lockheed T-33 Silver Star Per Ardua Ad Astra Through Diversity To The Stars CT - 133 Silver Star Dedicated as a memorial to the historical years of the Royal Canadian Air Force 1924-1968 it's members and affiliates Dedicated Victoria Day, 19, May, 1986, in Edson, Alberta By the Officers and Cadets 874 Tiger Moth Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets and Sponsors Edson Lions Club Re-dedication of the CT133097 September 8, 2018 874 Tiger Moth Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets

War As They Knew It August 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. By the end of the conflict, the War had touched almost everyone’s life, some dramatically. Take, for example, British subject J. Mellor Poucher, who lived in Edson during its fledging years. He sent the Town of Edson a tape of his memories from that time. Listen below for his specific recounting of when our community found out they were going to war and how that changed both his life and the lives of your neighbours. Click to hear J M Poucher's recollection of the time 00:00 / 03:40 J Mellor Poucher Next, we invite you to meet Sarah Whitehead, a nurse with the Royal Alexandra Nursing Corps, Manchester, England during the Great War. She tended to wounded soldiers from all over the world – including several Canadians – and many of those men signed her autograph book. Sarah Whitehead is the Grandmother of long-time resident Anne DeChambeau who loaned the Galloway Station Museum the autograph book to be scanned. View the autograph book here Sarah Whitehead And finally, we will glimpse into the life of a Canadian prisoner of war, Sgt. L.E. (Vern) Turner. Turner was onboard a World War II RCAF Halifax bomber that was shot down over Germany during a bombing raid in 1943. He was the only member of his crew to survive the crash. Turner was taken prisoner by the Gestapo and held in Stalag Luft I, a prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany. The rations provided by their captors were just enough to stay alive – boxes from the Red Cross containing more food and other comforts were greatly appreciated. Included in the life-saving boxes were journals from the YMCA, providing a way for POWs to record their experiences through prose, sketches, poetry or painting. View Sgt. Turner's journal here It is through Turner’s journal, Whitehead’s autograph book, Poucher’s tape and with help from local Edson Royal Canadian Legion #51 that we are able to personalize wartime experiences and give future generations a glimpse into the lives of those who served. Back to Reports

Want even more information on historic Yellowhead County? Click here to visit the Yellowhead County Heritage inventory map. Yellowhead County Virtual Heritage Tour The Yellowhead County Heritage Program spearheaded the initiative to create a Virtual Tour of Heritage sites in Yellowhead County. In the past, Yellowhead County hosted a Heritage Bus Tour that travelled to some of the unique and wonderful historic places in the County. Stops included Marlboro, Brule, Cadomin, Mountain Park, Mercoal and Robb.

From archives to newspapers dating back to the birth of Edson, the Galloway Station Museum is home to research facilities that are available to the public! Looking for information about past Edson and area events? Researching your family history? From archives to newspapers dating back to the birth of Edson, the Galloway Station Museum is home to research facilities that are available to the public! The Galloway Station Museum offers several research resources: Reading room Comprehensive local history library Access to genealogy and family history resources Microfiche - newspapers from 1911 Archival scanners Light box Research reports Access to Edson & Area archives and digital resources Please use the form below to pre-book access to our research facilities, and include a brief summary of your research project. Research Room Book the Research Room Date picker Time Time : Hours Minutes AM First name* Last name Email* Phone Write a message Submit

Request for Proposal Sealed RFPs for: Galloway Station Museum Cleaning Contract The Edson and District Historical Society invites proposals for facility cleaning services. The contract will be limited to the actual supplies delivered or the services performed. The successful bidder of this proposal will be the primary supplier of the service being proposed for the 2024 to 2027 calendar years. Download the RFP he re: Submissions may be made in person, or by mail at the following address: Galloway Station Museum 223 - 55th Street Edson, AB T7E 1L5 email submissions: manager@gallowaystationmuseum.com Time/date for RFP Closing is 2:00 pm, local time Friday February 9th, 2024 and all proposals must be clearly marked. All inquires regarding this RFP shall be addressed to: Shari McDowell, Galloway Station Museum 223 - 55th Street Edson, AB T7E 1L5 780-723-5696 Sealed proposals will be opened in the presence of the Galloway Station Museum Manager and at least one member of the Edson and District Historical Society Board Executive. Janitorial RFP 2024

Bunkered in Edson!

Summer Employment Opportunity The Galloway Station Museum, Travel Centre & Archives is hiring! This is a great opportunity for post-secondary students who enjoy working with the public, learning about local history, and being part of a busy visitor season. Position Details Dates: May 11 – August 28 Hours: 35 hours/week Wage: $19/hour What You’ll Do Give inspiring museum tours to youth and adults Work with travellers and residents to provide a great customer service experience Set up for rentals and exciting local events Research and report on our area’s rich history Help staff keep the facility tidy and adhere to health guidelines Assist in other departments as needed Qualifications Knowledge of Edson & area, or a keen willingness to learn Exceptional customer service skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds Must be willing to work weekends Must be enrolled in full-time studies and be returning to post-secondary education in the fall How to Apply Please email resumes to: manager@gallowaystationmuseum.com or drop off at the Galloway Station Museum, Travel Centre & Archives: 223-55th Street, Edson AB T7E 1L5 | 780-723-5696 We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Edson & District Historical Society is an equal opportunity workplace.

Search for the names of the towns and areas of the Alberta Coal Branch in this history-inspired word search! Back to Games

Galloway Station Museum and Travel Centre is located in the heart of Edson, Alberta. Set in the beautiful RCMP Centennial Park, the Galloway Station Museum & Travel Centre is a jewel on the necklace of the Yellowhead Trail. Galloway Station Museum Learn more Edson & District Historical Society Learn more RCMP Centennial Park Learn more Galloway Newsletter Learn more

Galloway Station Museum What is the Galloway Station Museum, Travel Centre & Archives? The Galloway Station Museum, Travel Centre & Archives is a historical museum, archives, travel centre, gift shop, and rental space located in the heart of Edson, Alberta. We welcome locals and visitors from all over the world to celebrate our history and embrace the mud and muskeg that was our home, and offer a glimpse of the hardships of early settlers who had to battle extreme elements often on a daily basis. We tell stories of those who shaped this raw, rough land into thriving, modern communities. The Galloway Station Museum will take you back to the early days of the Coal Branch, chronicling the lives of miners from all around the world who risked life and limb to provide for their families. We help people link past to the present - touting not only geographical attractions of the area, but also historical high points that enrich the experiences, and the lives of locals and travelers. Who Are We? The Galloway Station Museum, Travel Centre & Archives is proudly governed by the Edson & District Historical Society (EDHS). This dedicated group consists of nine members, including representatives from both the Town of Edson and Yellowhead County. The goal of the EDHS is t o incite curiosity of local history, foster partnerships, and create an educational welcoming hub for the public while celebrating and promoting the greater community. This includes preserving and protecting local artifacts and the history of Edson and area. This is done by overseeing operations of the Galloway Station Museum and Travel Center, as well as the area archives. They are also in trusted in developing, preserving and exhibiting a well-maintained collection in trust for the community, as well as taking a leadership role in research and education on the history of Edson and area. None of this could be done without the amazing team of staff and volunteers at the Galloway Station Museum and Travel Centre. Three dedicated full time staff, with the help of hardworking summer students and our incredible volunteers, give life to the Galloway Station Museum & Travel Centre. History of the Galloway Describe your image Describe your image 1/5 To tell the history of the Galloway Station, it is necessary to start with the history of Canadian railways. It's the early 20th century and railway fever is in the air. The Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) and the Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) are in fierce competition to make it to the west coast. In some places, the companies’ tracks ran within 50 feet of each other, and it was doubtful if both lines could survive. Due to incredible costs, mismanagement, unwillingness to compromise, the need for steel in Europe during World War I and the removal of rail track on sections of both GTP and CNoR lines, both companies were doomed to fail. Then CNoR was the first company to go bankrupt and the Canadian government jumped in and snatched up the railway. Within a couple of years, the GTP followed suit. The government then nationalized and combined the railway companies to become Canadian National. The original section of the Galloway Station Museum is a Canadian Northern Railway Type 100-47, Standard Combination Station and Section House that started its life as the Dandurand Station, which was abandoned in 1917. In 1923, it was relocated to mile 15.3, close to Marlboro, on the GTP Brule subdivision as housing for the pump man. In the 1940s, when diesel locomotives replaced steam, the station was moved to Galloway. The station was purchased for $1 by the EDHS and moved to RCMP Centennial Park in Edson 1975 where it began its incarnation as a museum. The Galloway Station Museum officially opened to the public in 1981 and has continued operation under the volunteer EDHS board management. In September 2011, the Galloway Museum was renovated and additions were made to expand the facility to more than twice its original size. It is also home to a rental space and Travel Centre. Why Galloway? The Galloway Station was named after a Grand Trunk Pacific employee, David Ernest Galloway, a one-time assistant to the president of the Grand Trunk Pacific and later assistant vice-president of Canadian National Railways. Videos Produced by Christopher White from Promethean Heritage & Culture Services. Thank you very much to our actors: Trapper – Dave Ward, Young museum visitors – Keira Gomuwka and Nathan Aslin 1989 Town of Edson promotional video

A poignant written exploration of 15 individuals in the greater community who tell their stories with grace, humour and wit.

Robb: The Early Years exhibit was created by the Yellowhead County Heritage Program to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the naming of Robb. Check out the video to learn more about the 'Gateway to the Coal Branch'! Robb: The Early Years Narrated by John Aloisio & Faye Charlton