Sam Waller Museum - The Pas, Manitoba

Tom Z.

I recently visited the Sam Waller Museum in The Pas, Manitoba, and it was an absolutely delightful experience that exceeded all expectations! Housed in the historic 1916 Community Building and Court House, this museum is a true treasure trove of history and quirkiness, showcasing an incredible collection of over 70,000 artifacts. From the fascinating Main Gallery, which beautifully traces the region’s story from geological wonders to First Nations and Métis heritage, to the delightfully eccentric “Sam’s Gallery” with its two-headed calf and dressed fleas, every exhibit was captivating and thoughtfully curated. The rotating Susan MacCharles Gallery added a fresh touch with local art, and the replica jail cell was a fun, immersive highlight that my family loved.

What truly set this museum apart was how well-run it is. The staff was exceptionally attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, eagerly answering questions and sharing stories about Sam Waller’s eclectic collection. Their passion for the museum’s mission shone through, making our visit feel personal and engaging. The atmosphere inside was wonderfully quiet, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the exhibits without distraction, a perfect setting for soaking in the rich history and unique oddities.

The museum’s affordability just $3 and the charming gift shop with local crafts were added bonuses that made the experience even more enjoyable. It’s clear why this is a Manitoba “Star Attraction”—it’s a must-visit for anyone in The Pas, whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a fun outing.

My only suggestion would be to give the front of the building a good cleaning, as it was noticeably dirty, and the steps were occupied by vagrants, which made accessibility a bit challenging. However, this minor issue did nothing to detract from the stellar experience inside. The Sam Waller Museum is a gem that I can’t recommend highly enough, kudos to the team for running such a fantastic place!

Hannah O.

Such a fun little museum! We took the kids and they LOVED the two headed calf and all the curious collections. The museum gives a detailed history of the area, but I do wish the staff would’ve told us to check out the basement too. We had no idea there was anything down there and completely missed it! The art exhibit was beautiful, definitely will be checking out Matt + James Dean.

bur L.

Definitely a must see easily worth money

Joshua K.

Amazing staff, very interesting exhibits on the history of The Pas.

Mattie B.

This is a very historical museum.. I loved each and every room in the museum. The paintings were beautiful. The trophies for the dog sled races were very interesting and contributed to the history of the area. Relics from the era, like lanterns, drills, and the tools they used ,makes one think about how difficult it must have been to live in their time.

Dwayne D.

Fun place ro learn about some history of The Pas and area...staff was awesome.

Dhamon K.

Lovely historic museum with great relics from the history of our beautiful town. It captures the soul and story of the region perfectly and is a must-see when visiting or passing through "The Gateway To The North".

Ray V. Z.

Excellent museum - compact but comprehensive exhibits covering the geography and history of the region - from the pre-contact era to the fur-trade, mining, logging, rail and river transportation, and the development of The Pas. Very glad we visited on the last day of our camping trip through northern Manitoba.