If you’ve been to Beamish in County Durham, or to the Black Country Museum at Dudley in the West Midlands, you’ll have an idea of what this park is all about. It’s a living history museum – a whole site full of buildings, modes of transport, and activities from a bygone age. Typically, in either the USA or Canada, it’s vast, and seems to dwarf its English counterparts, and it is certainly very well presented with a huge range of things to see and do.
The history of Alberta is built on oil exploration and the original oil rig/derrick has been rebuilt here. There is an operational steam train to take you round the park, with views of the streets of old buildings and the tepees of the First Nations village. The buildings house costumed interpreters, who were very interesting, although they don’t play their ‘roles’ as do those at Plimoth Plantation near Boston. There are also static exhibitions in some areas.
An old-fashioned fairground provides entertainment for children small and large, and other activities/attractions change each day. It’s vital to get the programme at the entrance so you can find out what time each one takes place. There are of course loads of places to eat and drink, in the atmosphere of years ago, and it goes without saying that there are plenty of shops where you can part with your dollars!
“Park website”:http://www.heritagepark.ca/