麻豆传媒AV

To help celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Western Development Museum, people are encouraged to visit their local WDM this year.

Those celebrating their 65th birthday in 2014 will receive free admission on their birth date, as well as a birthday present from the museum. April 6, the Sunday after the actual anniversary date of April 2, admission to the four WDMs will be only 65 cents.

So much has changed in the world since the Western Development Museum began serving as the keeper of Saskatchewan's collective heritage 65 years ago. When it was officially created in 1949 by provincial legislation, the WDM was inspired in part by the need to preserve large numbers of abandoned farm machinery before it was scavenged for scrap metal recycling after the Second World War.

The WDM is affected by both global and regional trends, as well as by changes within the organization. External trends include globalization, changing demographics - aging population, influx of newcomers to Saskatchewan, growing First Nations and M茅tis populations - and new technologies.

With the pace of change accelerating, how will the WDM look even a decade from now? According to a press release, the museum is changing its focus for collecting artifacts. The WDM is now seeking items that reflect the culture, social life, innovation, and economy of post-Second World War Saskatchewan, particularly during the 1950s, 1960s and beyond.

"People are visiting and supporting WDM in droves, and our staff and volunteers are working really hard to keep the museum vibrant and exciting," said Joan Champ, executive director. "As a result, our attendance has increased; we have opened exciting new permanent and travelling exhibits throughout the system; we have forged some terrific new partnerships; and more and more new Canadians are visiting the four WDMs.