Remember the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum?
If not, here’s a quick refresher. Less than 1.5 hours from Calgary in the small town of Torrington is a museum dedicated to taxidermied gophers. When the CPR decommissioned Torrington’s rail lines in the early 1990s, the provincial government proposed a $9,000 creative grant for communities to create a tourist attraction to support their economy. The townspeople put on their thinking caps and came up with the idea of stuffing their surplus of gophers.
The Gopher Hole Museum has well outlived its life expectancy, entering its 30th season when it was only supposed to be around for five years. However, a problem with critters — not gophers, but bugs — is putting the beloved attraction in peril.
Donations needed
The museum has been fighting an “uphill battle” with persistent maple bugs and wasps over several years, and the problem has finally come to a head. Along with delaying opening until May 19 to take care of fumigation, the Gopher Museum must also contend with finding a replacement for its historic building.
“Contractors tell us we are still structurally safe, but the problems continue to mount, and it is more cost-effective to get a new building than to keep repairing the current ones,” reads a post on its Facebook page. “This will be the museum’s last year in these buildings.”
Unfortunately, taxidermied gophers tend not to draw corporate sponsors or benefactors with deep pockets. The museum has been unsuccessful with its various grant applications due to the unique nature of the exhibits. Simply put, it doesn’t qualify.
A hopeful history
The Gopher Hole Museum was created and cared for by community volunteers, and it’s thanks to them and the generosity of patrons that the museum has been able to stay open for as long as it has.
“My parents helped build the place and ran it for decades,” Museum Director Laural Kurta told Curiocity in a March interview. “We have had engagements there, weddings, reunions, bridal showers…there are even ashes sprinkled on the property! The museum has been there through the important times in people’s lives, and most say it was a bucket list moment for them. That means a great deal to me.”
To help manage the cost of a different building, the museum has launched a crowd funder on its website and is asking for support. Whether you’re a fan of the Gopher Hole Museum, have yet to cross it off your bucket list, or just want to help keep a part of small-town Alberta history, every dollar is appreciated.
Of course, visitors are still welcome. On May 19, the museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. From May 23 to June 22, it will only be open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from June 26 to Sept. 1, it will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Distance from Calgary: 119 km
Distance from Edmonton: 224 km
Where: 208 1st St. S., Torrington
Cost: Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 to $10 per person
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