Getting to know the collection
Nestled at the heart of Leduc is the Dr. Woods House, a craftsman-style house with a low-pitched roof, fieldstone chimney, and extensive interior woodworking. Built in 1927, the house and its attached medical wing were once home to one of the area’s first doctors, Dr. Robert Woods.
But it’s not just a house anymore; it's a time capsule that holds community memories. In 1983, the house became home to the Dr. Woods House Museum, with the collection cared for and curated by the Leduc & District Historical Society and devoted volunteers for 40 years.
Now under the ownership and care of the City of Leduc, the museum collection is transitioning into a new chapter. Behind the building’s quiet exterior is an ongoing flurry of conservation activity focused on creating a sustainable future for the artifacts and ensuring future generations will have access to these treasures and their stories.
“This isn’t just about preserving objects; it’s about preserving legacy and identity,” says Toscha Turner, Manager of Cultural Development for the City of Leduc. “These items belonged to the people who built Leduc – their stories, struggles and triumphs are woven into the fabric of each artifact. It’s our job to ensure those stories are not lost or forgotten and are accessible well into the future.”
Walking through the museum, its hardwood floors creaking under your steps, you get a glimpse into the past – a china set used during Sunday dinners, a newspaper that warns Leduc residents to watch out for cattle rustlers, a camera that captured images of people, places and buildings long gone. And that’s just what you see on display.
The collection is vast, and the City's Cultural Development team is becoming acquainted with thousands of artifacts. The work is delicate and detailed, meticulous and purposeful. Staff review records, re-discover items, and connect the dots among stories. Each artifact is handled with the utmost care through the process of inventorying, cataloguing, photographing and storing.
“It’s more than just inventory work,” says Taylor Berry-Boparai, City of Leduc Heritage Coordinator. “It’s safeguarding artifacts from environmental threats, like UV light, pests, temperature and humidity. It’s uncovering the stories behind the objects and the people who used them. It’s finding ways to ensure these legacies continue to inspire and resonate within the community.”
Museum Myth Buster: The City of Leduc is not tearing down the Dr. Woods House, which is designated as a Municipal Historical Resource. The City has owned the Dr. Woods House since 1981 and will continue to honour and care for the property, the house, the museum collection and their legacies.
*The museum currently remains closed for public access to allow staff to focus on the collection.
