Collections
Immerse yourself in history.
Visiting Hours
Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat: 10 am – 4:30 pm
Wed & Fri: 10 am – 8 pm
Closed Sundays & Most Holidays*
(*Open Heritage Day, Remembrance Day and Family Day)
Marguerite Lerouge Watson Reading Room
The Marguerite Lerouge Watson Reading Room is a space that can be accessed for research purposes by appointment only. Holdings include Alberta and local history books, pamphlets, catalogues, periodicals, and sheet music.
Access to the catalogue is available online at the Red Deer Public Library. In-person access to the Reading Room is by appointment only. Contact [email protected] to make an appointment.
FAQs
The questions we often get asked…
Does the MAG appraise items?
Simply put, no. The MAG is a non-profit public institution and we do not provide appraisal nor authentication services. For this expertise, we suggest you try antique dealers, art dealers or auctioneers. You can also check out Canadian Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers. “[They] are a not-for-profit, member-driven association, formed to support [their] member needs and to enhance public trust by producing qualified and ethical appraisers who are recognized authorities in personal property appraising.”
How do I donate something to the MAG?
Your first step is to contact Melanie Berndt, the Collections Manager at the MAG, to discuss your donation. Melanie can be reached through the museum’s main line or email. While we are always grateful to be offered material, we have to be strict about what we accept. With limited space and an obligation to hold an object literally forever, being selective is a must. We do have a mandate that helps guide our collection decisions, if it helps us in our pursuit of being Central Alberta’s leading establishment for the research, collection and presentation of visual art and material culture that is related to this region or promoting the knowledge and enjoyment of the art, culture and history of Central Alberta, your donation is very likely to be recommended for our Collections Committee’s consideration.
Simply put, the MAG is interested in artifacts and works of art which are in good shape, well documented and help to tell significant stories about people – their cultures, lifestyles and history. In making the decision to accession a donation to become a permanent part of our collections, the Collections Committee determines whether the donation is:
- Significant and specific to Red Deer and/or Central Alberta;
- Unique. It must not duplicate items already in our collections;
- In alignment our mandate, vision, and/or mission;
- Accompanied by rich supporting information to provide context and meaning.
Where to donate photographs and documents?
The Red Deer & District Archives should always be consulted first with paper, digital or ephemeral donations. They are located at 4725 49 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, and their phone number is 403.309.8403.
How can I see the collections that aren’t on exhibit?
Just call us to make an appointment so we can set up a time that works best for you and our staff. When contacting us please be specific about your interests so that we can best prepare for your visit. While we love to share our collections with our community, with tens of thousands of objects, it is not possible to browse through a large number of items in one visit.