Canadian Northern Society

The Canadian Northern Society is preserving prairie heritage through its collection of heritage railway station sties at Big Valley, Meeting Creek and Camrose, the Meeting Creek grain elevator site, and unique interpretive activities and events. The society’s efforts provide both community and economic benefits. Operated by volunteers, the society is a registered charity.

The Canadian Northern Society celebrates 25 years in 2012 of capturing history and building community. We appreciate your support.

2012 memberships are due

Please send your membership to:
Canadian Northern Society
Box 1174, Camrose, AB T4V 1X2

Associate memberships are $10
Full voting memberships are $20

100th anniversary celebration for the Big Valley Station

Saturday, September 29, 2012. More details to follow in the coming months.

Camrose Station events

Saturday, March 31, 2012: Annual Hot Cross Bun Tea and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt: Bring your child or grandchild for an old-fashioned Easter experience in a 1911 railway station. This exciting event will take place at 2 p.m. commencing with an Easter egg hunt, followed by egg decorating and an Easter craft. Homemade refreshments will include homemade hot cross buns with cheese and delicious Easter cookies for the children.
Saturday, May 19, 2012: Opening Day for the Museum and Park: 2012 Museum hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Take part in short-time hands-on experiences – spend one hour or a full day. Meander through the 12 historic gardens at the Camrose Railway Station and relive the past as you take in the colour and fragrance of many heritage flowers. Imagine you are a pioneer who is looking for a homestead. You realize that this area can grow flowers here so they can grow wheat. This was the historical reason for growing station gardens. Visit the wildflower garden and imagine a prairie hillside full of wildflowers. Ponder on this beauty while you enjoy your refreshments sitting in the shade on a trellis seat, the vine-covered gazebo or the tables on the station platform as you watch for the present-day train travel through. Bring a book and enjoy the peacefulness. Using the self-guided tour book take a look at the rose garden located in the Garden Railway and other roses and plantings throughout the gardens.; Bring your grandchildren or children and give them an opportunity for old-fashioned play in the Children’s Secret Garden playing on the large wooden train dressed in dress-up clothes or playing in the large sandbox. Let them watch Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy, James or other trains from the early era as they travel along the track along the route of the old Canadian Northern Railway complete with historical buildings built to scale. Children and adults of all ages are thrilled and fascinated by the Morgan Railway Garden.; Take a self- or interpretive-guided tour of the many historical displays in our station museum or the many buildings on site.; Throughout July and August our tea room will be open for desserts – homemade and delicious – on Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Self-serve refreshments can be purchased Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
June 1–8, 2012: Plant sale and swap (except days we are closed): Purchase or swap some of the many plants that grow so abundantly within our station gardens. Also available will be house plants, gardening magazines, books and various gardening pots and yard decorations. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Saturday, June 2, 2012: free workshop for community “The Right Plant for the Right Exposure” and “How to Garden Naturally.”: Our own creative gardener Glenys Smith will lead these informative conversations, drawing upon her life-long experience of prairie gardening and decade plus of planning and caring for the station gardens.
Monday, June 25, 2012: Celebrating First Nations: As part of National Aboriginal Day, the Camrose Railway Station partners with the Camrose Arts Society to bring the community a wonderful celebration of First Nations featuring the exceptional dance group Running Thunder and an exquisite Native art show. There will be an opportunity to join in a traditional round dance.
July 1, 2012: Closed
Saturday, July 14, 2012: Annual Garden Tour and High Tea: Enjoy four community gardens and a Victorian high tea in the historical railway station. Your servers will be dressed for the occasion in traditional black and white.; The day starts at 10 a.m., meeting at the railway station, with an organized driving tour of several private gardens in Camrose, finishing with a guided tour of the spectacular railway station historical garden park. High tea will be served in the Freight Shed and King George Room following the tour. Preregistration is required please, cost is $20 per person (includes high tea).
Saturday, August 4, 2012: Tribute to Prairie Women of the Camrose District: At 2 p.m. we will celebrate the contribution of women and their role in our area’s settlement featuring four presenters. Learn through story and discussion the vast impact that women made upon the development of our region. Conversation will follow. Join into the theme; wear a hat or clothing from a past era. Homemade desserts will be featured with a berry theme.
Saturday, August 11, 2012: Founders Day Festival at the Station: Exciting events are hosted across the City of Camrose, celebrating the Founders and history of our community. See the Founders Days website for full schedule.
Saturday, August 25, 2012: Last day of the regular season
Saturday, December 1, 2012: Annual Cookie Walk, Tea and Christmas White Elephant Sale: Within our beautiful seasonally decorated Freight Shed or King George Room, enjoy one of our major fundraisers for the year and experience a wonderful, warm time of community! Our volunteers cook up batch upon batch of cookies (including gluten free) and other festive baking including homemade Christmas carrot pudding and loaves. Buy a few or get your entire Christmas supply. Our volunteers make them homemade and delicious! Purchase special gifts and treasures in our Station White Elephant Gift Shop.; The scent of apple cider will greet you – purchase a beverage of your choice and enjoy a gingerbread cookie or fresh Christmas traditional dessert.

Meeting Creek events

October 6, 2010: Meeting Creek Harvest Festival: Celebrate the gathering of the harvest with the Canadian Northern Society at the Meeting Creek Railway Station and Elevator. Children’s activities include pumpkin carving and scarecrow stuffing. Diamond Jubilee theme related games and crafts. Enjoy music, live entertainment and tours – a great day of community. The 2012 event will feature a royal flavour as we commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. On-site concession will feature an exquisite and traditional high tea.

Updated 2012-01-28.