Another great reason to stop by the Museum is to see our newest acquisition. The Fort Saskatchewan Museum recently acquired a pump organ that was originally owned by one the North West Mounted Police Officer in the 1880s. The wife of one of the officers was an accomplished musician and her husband arranged to purchase an organ from Bell Organ and Piano Co Ltd. Pepin and Son of Montreal had a representative in Edmonton at this time and it was through them the organ was obtained.
When the headquarters of the Fort moved to Edmonton and some of the men with many years of service were engaged as Staff at the Gaol. One of them, William (Billy) Blythe, Regimental No. 2548, became the Deputy Warden. It was about this time that the organ was donated to the prison chapel and used in the women’s section.
After being at the Fort and Gaol in Fort Saskatchewan, the organ was donated to Strathearn United Church in Edmonton. It has now returned to Fort Saskatchewan and has found a home at the Warden’s House.
To read more about our Museum and Historic Site, click HERE or call 780.998.1783.