National 4-H museum proclaimed | Collection will grow significantly as artifacts are relocated from across Canada
ROLAND, Man. — The tiny 4-H museum in Roland, Man., is about to get more crowded.
It was proclaimed the official Museum of 4-H in Canada during the national youth group’s 100th year celebrations here.
Kyla Orchard, the museum’s curator, conceded space is already a problem in the building, something that’s likely to get worse with a pledge by each province to donate items from their own collections.
Each provincial 4-H organization on hand already donated one item to the special centennial display case. In addition, the Canadian 4-H Council will add historical collections and artifacts, currently held in Ottawa.
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The museum is housed in a former Royal Bank Building, originally built in 1902.
In 1990, the building was taken over to promote Roland as the birthplace of 4-H in Canada and maintain 4-H artifacts and memorabilia, some of which spill into the old bank’s vault.
Orchard said the current collection comes from across the country.
“It’s all pretty unique,” she said of antique sewing machines, uniforms and old photographs.
Among her favourites are the well-worn Roland Clothing Club banner and a heritage quilt made of ties.
“Each tie has connections to 4-H,” she said.
Known originally as a Boys and Girls Club for ages 10 to 16 years, 4-H was started in Roland School in 1913 by W. J. Black, director of colonization and agriculture, Manitoba’s first deputy minister of agriculture and first principal of the Manitoba Agricultural College and Edgar Ward Jones, director of extension services at the Manitoba Agricultural College.
Each 4-Her was given a dozen eggs and corn and potato seeds. In the fall, communities held a fair where the chickens and produce were judged.
