Cochrane Historical Archival Preservation Society (CHAPS) president Gordon Davies said with renovations to the Davies Hospital going smoothly, the society wants to provide Cochrane with a look into its past.
With a large influx of larger items to catalogue, CHAPS is now looking for old photos, as well as newspaper clippings and other printed items for their collection. “Who knows what’s hidden in someone’s photo album,” Davies said, who estimates they have roughly a 1,000 pictures already.
The Davies Hospital (or sometimes referred to as the Old Hospital) was relocated from its location at 516 2nd St. to its new home at the Cochrane Ranche site last September, and aim to open the building as a museum.
Due to the amount of items they already have, CHAPS is not accepting any larger objects at this time, as Davies said they’re afraid the society will get “swamped with stuff.”
Davies said that with the renovation of the building underway, organizing the museum represents its own challenge. “That’s a huge process,” he said, commenting that they’re in the process of developing a cataloging system for the countless items they have accumulated. Part of their collection contains turn-of-the-century medical artifacts, such as ceramic bedpans. Davies said that while he lacks a medical background, one of the donors is a doctor, who should be able to provide insight on the items.
Davies said they’re aiming to open the museum by the end of May.
