(Shown above are a couple of historical photos from Pangman)
The Pangman Historical Society is ready to open their doors to their new museum, with three dioramas as the feature focal point, on Saturday, Aug. 7.
The new organization was gifted with the former Abundant Living church building on Railway Avenue, and have been working hard to collect historical items from the Pangman area as well as putting together the three dioramas to draw people’s interest.
Board member Gene Kessler outlined the theme of the dioramas, including a model of how Pangman looked in 1955, the Golden Jubilee Year; a model of a pioneer home’s kitchen before the arrival of electricity; and an athletes alley, showing some of the Pangman area athletes that went on to make their mark in their respective sports.
The museum will be open from 3-5 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting to take place around 4 p.m., and they will then host a licensed barbecue in the evening. The cost for the meal will be $15 for adults.
A rope-making demonstration will be part of the opening, with Albert Hanson on hand to do the demo, and there will also be a branding board. The historical society has invited any family from the surrounding community that has their own brand to bring them in and have them added to the branding board which will be displayed at the museum, said Kessler.
The organization has been operating a thrift store as a way to raise funds and awareness of the new museum, and Kessler noted this branding board is a way to further raise interest in the community for this new historical facility.
The Pangman Historical Society has also been cleaning up the site of the Breckenridge Brick Plant, with the aim to set up an interpretive centre of this historical facility.
Kessler noted that Terry Breckenridge donated the building to the historical society, and they have been selling some of the concrete blocks and tiles from the plant as a fundraiser.
They also have been collecting metal for recycling, such as appliances or other metal items that residents want to be rid of. Pangman’s landfill was closed so they have needed a way to dispose of items like this, noted Kessler, and it has helped with fundraising for the society.
