Mail-order catalogues and magazines dating back to the early 1900s can be found at the new Marguerite Lerouge Watson Reading Room.
The space formerly occupied by the Red Deer Archives has been converted to a reading room dedicated to a long-standing volunteer, advocate and donor of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery.
The Marguerite Lerouge Watson Reading Room, opened on Sunday and houses the museum’s reference library, with holdings relating to the history of central Alberta. Catalogues dating back to 1906, as well as magazines from the early 1900’s are part of the collection.
While the museum’s reference library was previously held at the Red Deer Public Library, these resources had not been accessible. The museum’s new reading room is now open to members of the public by appointment, making the reference library accessible for research.
“I am delighted that we are able to share this excellent resource with our community… there is a place for researchers to sit and examine the materials. We hope that this will encourage community members to …pursue their curiosity about the people, events and artefacts of the past,” said the museum’s executive-director Lorna Johnson.
Call 587-797-4040 to make an appointment to use the Marguerite Lerouge Watson Reading Room.