STOUGHTON - The Rusty Relics Museum has been playing an important role in celebrating the area's history for nearly half a century.
The museum received a youth employment grant in 1973, which was used to collect materials to put on display and to investigate interest in opening a museum in Carlyle. In 1975, the museum was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization and next year will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Needing a place to hold all the collected items, the museum bid on the Carlyle CNR station. The bid was accepted and the building was relocated to its current location on Railway Avenue. The museum officially opened in 1980 and a few years later, the 1943 CPR caboose was donated to them.
In 1991, the museum became the tourist information booth, opened an office, and had washrooms built.
Over the years many more items have been donated, such as the CP track behind the museum, and a pump jack was moved to the location.
New software programs allowed the museum to add photos and barcodes of artifacts in 2010.
The CP storage shed and bunkhouse were donated in 2020, and in 2021 the museum opened the bunkhouse for display.
Needing more room, a trailer came to rest on the site in 2024.
With all these upgrades and donations, the Rusty Relics Museum has become a staple in Carlyle for people to visit.
In June, a barbecue was held to start the season, with over 100 people coming to visit.
School visits are always a big hit. Grade 1 and 2 classes from Carlyle and Arcola came in for a stop, while the Grade 3 and 4 classes used the museum as part of the Amazing Race.
Twenty-five kids came in for a train ride on July 24. They toured the station and caboose and took part in train-themed activities.
The museum has not slowed down, as in August they hosted people from Weyburn and Moosomin to participate in a scavenger hunt.
The big event was when Saddleridge Petting Zoo came for a farm day. People had the opportunity to visit with the animals and enjoy a carriage ride by Dale and Larry Brady. Ron Paul rode at the back for the clean-up duties from the horses. Inside they had farm-related games and activities.
Homemade ice cream was churned by the staff and children with 114 ice cream cones handed out that day.
On Aug. 17, they held High Tea during the Carlyle Fun Dayz. According to Lauren Hume, those that attended enjoyed cucumber sandwiches and dainties while checking out the displays.
The final summer program was Aug. 21 with a visit from the Archaeon Caravan, which brought a program to increase awareness of Saskatchewan archaeology. Highlights included rock painting, spear throwing, ceramic reconstruction, along with authentic artifacts for handling and viewing.
The museum will close on Aug. 30 for the season, but tours can be arranged through board members or with staff.
The trailer that arrived this summer will be renovated, which Hume says is exciting, and it will be used for artifacts and new displays.
