Pincher Creek Museums

Named after frontiersman John George 'Kootenai' Brown, this village is a museum and heritage facility that is home to 16 historical buildings, two museum structures and a preserved three-room log cabin, one of Brown's residences in the late 19th century. Operated by the Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, the village is located in Pincher Creek, Alberta just east of the Rocky Mountains.

Brown was a local frontiersman who settled in the Waterton Lakes area in 1877 and spearheaded the establishment and conservation of the smallest of the Rocky Mountain parks-Waterton Lakes National Park, located 50 km south of the village. Brown became the park's first warden 18 years later, two years after the area gained Park status. Brown's nickname 'Kootenai' came about with his association with the First Nations tribe in the mid 1800's.

Visitors can learn about the frontier history of southwestern Alberta and explore archives of the history of the Pincher Creek area at this rural facility, which is open year-round. Take a guided tour of some of the original cabins, ranch houses and the blacksmith shop that were built in the pioneer period or browse the museum gift shop.

Located a short drive from the Town of Pincher Creek, the Three Rivers Rock & Fossil Museum is a private collection of more than 3,000 specimens. Items on display include fossils, petrified wood, rare rocks from around the world, shells and artifacts from the sea, jewellery and more. Call ahead for an appointemnt.

This lovely Vistorian family home once sheltered one of Pincher creek's most prominent families, the wealthy Lebel family. It spent 60 years in this role, then becoming the town's only hospital for 30 more years. It has been a historic site since 1983.

This living, outdoor museum brings to life the trials and tribulations of traditional farming. See an original Doukhobor barn, made by its namesake, a group who practises a dissenting form of Christianity who originated in Russia. An antique school and several pieces of farm equipment are also preserved here. Groups are welcome.