The Irvin Goodon International Wildlife Museum opened on Friday of the May long weekend and this year has even more to bring tourists through the front door.

Museum officials have been dealing with some water issues but now have that problem cleared up as they open for another busy tourist season.

Verna McCausland helps co-ordinate day to day activities at the museum and she looks forward to attracting more people this year than they did in 2022. “Last year we put through about 2,500 and I’d like to double that number. It may be optimistic but I’m sure we can get even more people to stop by for a visit.”

An addition to this year’s displays is the massive train set collection that is now set up in the northeast corner of the museum building.

“This is Earl Patterson’s Cherry Creek Junction display. It has Boissevain, Ninga and Churchill stations just to mention a few. It has railway stations, other buildings like churches and elevators. We’ve got three running tracks right now and this will be a big draw.”

McCausland says last year a number of people were hoping to see the train display and now they can.

 

The Bear's Den wooden chain sawed bears have been moved into the wildlife part of the museum. “We’re told we have one of th best taxidermy displays in the country. Also, the Moncur Gallery is another big draw for the museum,” said Verna McCausland.

The Wildlife Museum also has its artisan’s market back for 2023. The museum is open seven days a week.