The future could be loaded with more opportunities — and more funding — for the Michener House Museum and Archives, as well as the Blacksmith Shop Museum in Lacombe.

The two museums are among the last in Alberta to get the recognized museum designation from the Alberta Museums Association.

Carrol Atkinson, curator of the Michener House Museum and Archives, isn’t sure why her facility hasn’t previously applied for this status — perhaps it didn’t matter so much in the past, she said.

But among the current benefits of becoming a recognized museum is being allowed to apply for more funding from the Alberta Museums Association.

Atkinson said more options for the future go along with the prospect of qualifying for more non-profit dollars.

Both museums operated by the Lacombe and District Historical Society are in aging structures that are in need of routine upkeep, and are located on their original sites in Lacombe.

The Blacksmith Shop, built in 1902, hosts regular demonstrations and is considered the province’s oldest operating blacksmith. It’s located at 5020 49th (Glass) St.

The Michener museum, at 5036 51st (Alberta) St., is a wooden house from 1894 where former governor general Roland Michener was born.

The museum contains some original furnishings and personal mementos from Michener’s political career, and has a fairly large archive and collections area in the basement.

The archives could use expanding, but Atkinson said such decisions are up to the museum board.

Many pioneer artifacts are stored in the museum’s collection, including clothing and household goods. The archives contain old photographs from the area, material from the local historical society and school districts.

Old editions of the Western Globe newspaper, which are getting too fragile to handle, are also stored there.

Atkinson said advice must be sought from the provincial archives society about whether to put the newspaper on microfiche.

The museum’s board could consider whether more resources should be spent on helping people trace their genealogy. Atkinson said she’s getting increasing calls from people wanting to know more about their ancestors — many from out of province, and out of country.

If more funding is obtained, she believes more opportunities can be entertained in future.

“We’re pretty proud of having the house Roland Michener was born in,” said Atkinson, who is also proud of having achieved the recognized museum designation.

Both museums are now officially closed for the season, but plaques will officially be affixed to the buildings on Wednesday.

Contact Lana Michelin at lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com