About
The Plamondon and District Museum’s mission is to preserve the history and story of our pioneers through displays and expositions.
We collect and display artifacts of the Plamondon District and provide information to community organizations and museum visitors.
The hamlet of Plamondon is recognized as a bilingual community by the Province of Alberta, a designation that was awarded to us in 2013. Our museum is bilingual and information on our website can be accessed in French through our translator button.
Be sure to check out our Acknowledgements.
History
Idea
1972
The idea of a Museum in Plamondon was first proposed by Sister Fraser in August of 1972 as a work project for local high school students.
Opening
1976
In 1976 the Museum opened in the empty original Catholic Church (now the Chapelle) in Plamondon which was built in 1911. This Museum stood next to the current church and was across the street from the home of Marie Bourassa. To view the Museum, visitors went across the street to her home and she gave them a tour. Marie (Gauthier) Bourassa did this for approximately 25 years until the new Museum was built.
New Building Required
1998
By 1998, the original church was in poor condition and too small and the artifacts were at risk of being damaged. It was decided that a new building was required to save the artifacts.
Fundraising Begins
1998 - 2002
In 1998, the Plamondon and District Museum Society was incorporated for the purpose of fundraising for a museum building to be situated on land owned by L’ACFA. Fundraising was done by running antique sales, garage sales, bingos, and the Plamondon Jamboree, a very much enjoyed and highly attended annual 3-day music jamboree. In 2002, the Society was approved for their first Casino at the Boomtown Casino in Fort McMurray.
First Summer Students
2001
In 2001, with grant money, the museum started hiring summer students in July & August as guides for not only the museum, but for the mini replica buildings in the Mini Parc Heritage Park.
New Museum on L’ACFA Site
2003
In 2003 the Museum on the L’ACFA site was built mostly with donated labor. It is 3,296 square feet including a basement.
Larger Museum Required
2012
With the passing of time, it became apparent that the Museum on the L’ACFA leased land was too small to accommodate the ever-increasing number of artifacts that had been donated throughout the years. By 2012, it was deemed that a new Museum would soon be required, and planning commenced to build a new museum. A decision was made with the approval from the PDCDS (Plamondon District Community Development Society) to attach the Museum to the west side of the Festival Centre. Fundraising for the construction of the new museum is ongoing.
First Operating Funding
2018
In 2018, the museum received their first operating funding from Lac La Biche County.
Creation of an endowment fund (Lena (Dubé)-et-Albin-Plamondon Fund for the Plamondon Museum & District Museum)
2022
In 2022, an Endowment fund (Fonds Lena (Dubé)-et-Albin-Plamondon pour le musée de Plamondon & District Museum) was created to pay the annual website hosting fees in perpetuity. You may support our Endowment Fund under the Support Us tab.
Plamondon Museum Receives Recognized Museum designation from the Alberta Museums Association (AMA)
2024
In 2024, Plamondon Museum received the Recognized Museum designation from the Alberta Museums Association (AMA). Earning this designation demonstrates that it is committed to maintaining standards of professional practice and to ensuring that it plays a strong and important role within the community of Plamondon.
Visitors to Plamondon Museum can now look for the easily recognizable Recognized Museum logo, which identifies the institutions in the province that offer a quality museum experience.
New Website Launched
2024
In 2024, the museum launched their website.
Acknowledgements
Genealogy
- In 2021 with a donation from Armand Favennec, a dedicated computer was purchased to house a genealogy program.
- Millie (Ladouceur) Lansing donated genealogy data containing 8,000 Métis names.
- Robert Schaub donated a considerable amount of pioneer genealogy information.
Website Development
- Celeste and John Zurbrigg for their time and a donation from the Estate of Lena (Dubé) and Albin Plamondon.
- Web design by Chinook Multimedia
Ongoing Website Maintenance
- Endowment fund: Fonds Lena (Dubé) et Albin-Plamondon pour le Musée de Plamondon & District Museum (Endowment Fund)
Volunteers
- Executive
- Board of Directors
- Friends of the Museum for their:
- Research
- Setting up exhibits
- Data entry on the genealogy site, and on accessioning of artifacts and displays
- Preservation/Conservation
Become a Volunteer
Nearby Attractions
This quaint park, filled with replicas of Plamondon’s early buildings and homesteads circa 1908 to 1940, invites you to take a nostalgic walk through history. The detailed shoulder-high structures radiate a sense of place and community pride. See where Plamondon’s pioneer families, many of whose descendants still live in the community, hung their hats.
Call or visit the Plamondon Festival Centre to request access.
Chapelle
Original church from 1911. Has been renovated, and can be used for small weddings and gatherings. Contact:
Festival Centre
Built in 2008. It serves as a community meeting place and a community hall. There is a mini theatre to host cultural events.
68445 Rge Rd 160A, Plamondon – Campsite on the western shore of Lac La Biche. 165 sites and also features a driving range. Located 11 km north of Plamondon. For reservations contact:
