A 70 Year History of Musée Ukraina Museum
At a Ukrainian Catholic Womens League of Canada (UCWLC) Convention in 1952, a very successful display of Ukrainian arts and artifacts from private collections was featured. Here, Bishop Andrew Roborecki, the 1st Bishop of the Saskatoon Exarchate, expressed a sincere wish that this display would become the permanent foundation for the beginning of an Eparchial Museum.
On December 7, 1953, at a UCWLC Eparchial Executive meeting, its President, Petronella Chepyha appointed a Committee to lay the groundwork for a museum. This Committee was comprised of Anna Shudlik and Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran. There were many meetings, field trips in search of artifacts, appeals to UWCLC Branches and Sisterhoods throughout Saskatchewan for their help. Soon this Committee expanded with more committed members.
Eventually, 224 valuable articles were gathered and displayed in a dedicated room at the Metropolitan Sheptytsky Institute student residence (located at College Drive & Wiggins Ave.)
An official opening, which included many dignitaries, was held August 28, 1955.
The names of the women on the poster from left to right. They were the members of the founding committee of the museum who laid the groundwork our wonderful museum.
пані П. Чипига (Petronella Chepyha)
пані А. Щудлик (Anna Shudlik)
пані А. М. Баран (Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran)
пані П. Жеребецка (Paraskevia Zerebeski)
пані М. Музика (Magdalina Muzyka)
пані О. Волчук (Olena Wolchuk)
The photo on the right shows visitors to the Museum collection at Sheptytsky Institute in 1957.
On Mary 22, 1966, the "Museum of Ukrainian Culture" was opened at the location of the old parish 'Prosvita Hall' of the Cathedral Parish of St. George - at the corner of 21st Street & Avenue M (shown below.) Again, the Committee expanded and a provisional Board of Trustees, chaired by Emelia Panamaroff, assumed responsibility for operation of the museum.
In 1986 during the terms of Angeline Chrusch as President and Rosalie Kitz as Treasurer, the Eparchial UCWLC and a team of over 100 volunteers undertook the responsibility of working bingos as a form of revenue. Since that time, MUM has received over $1 million to fund operational costs. These bingos continue!
On April 29, 1991, Musée Ukraina Museum Inc. became incorporated and registered under the Non-profits Corporations Act. (Corporation No. 210203). On November 17, 2001, the 1st formal Board of Trustees was elected at an Annual General Meeting. Jayne Paluck was elected as 1st Chairman of the Board for the newly named Musée Ukraina Museum - a name reflecting the multicultural aspect of Canadian society and the value we put on celebrating our role in this society. The Board of Trustees became the Board of Directors and plans were drawn for a new building! There would be many bingos, much campaigning and fundraising to be done.
In 2010 the Brick and Cornerstone Campaign was launched and a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the new Museum was held on December 10, 2010.
On September 20, 2012, MUM was honoured to have His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk visit and bestow a blessing on the Museum. Two days later, the new Museum officially opened to the public - with over 12,000 sq. feet on two floors, built at the cost of 3.5 million dollars. With many thanks to the Jayne and Ernest Paluck ‘Retire the Mortgage Campaign' (matching donations up to $500,000) this debt was finally expired as of December 2024.
From personal belongings of early Ukrainian settlers on the prairies to ethnographic expeditions that went far into Ukrainian territory during dangerous Soviet times, MUM collected and now houses many rare and valuable articles. From the original handful of items, the collection has grown to over 20,000 artifacts. Musée Ukraina Museum remains committed to preserving the cultural and historical contributions of the Ukrainian Catholic community in Saskatchewan, Canada and Ukraine.
Musée Ukraina Museum is a leader in bringing awareness and understanding to the growing cultural diversity which exists in the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. Our galleries host educational exhibitions providing opportunities for the cultural community to bring awareness and understanding to their beautiful customs and traditions.
Located next to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George, MUM offers tours highlighting the rich Ukrainian Eastern Byzantine rite architecture, as well as the art and iconography which beautifies the church. The Ukrainian Sisters of St. Joseph Shrine dedicated to the Venerable Nun Martyrs Olympia and Laurentia contributes to the strength of this destination area. The Museum includes a Permanent Gallery showcasing the life of the Ukrainian people and a Religious Gallery celebrating their spiritual values. The Feature Gallery presents significant exhibitions in the areas of music, science and achievements of the community - near and far.
Yes, there are two Ukrainian Museums in Saskatoon! Each one unique in its story and presentations. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Spadina Crescent) and Musée Ukraina Museum (Ave M South - Sister Theodosia Lane) share the purpose of education and preservation and collaborate on occasions to contribute to the building of our community.
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