Volume 14    Number 4    14 March 1984

Response Exceeds all Expectations

Calgary - Perhaps it's the kind spirit of railwaymen who have gone to that big right-of-way in the sky; or maybe it's just that warm feeling people get when surrounded by the sights and sounds of a railway's past.
 
Whatever, the Glenbow Museum's Great CPR Exposition has developed a special personality all its own; one that continues to attract people of all ages and walks of life - over and over again.
 
According to Georgeen Klassen, who's responsible for the museum's photographic archives, response to the exposition has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.
 
"The response has just been tremendous, particularly from railway people - pensioners and families of railroaders. Their sense of pride in having some connection with the railway is touching. They always have some little comment to add to their signatures in the guest book; things like "My dad worked for the CPR", or "I was a railroader for 35 years"", Mrs. Klassen said.
 
Wide Appeal
 
She added the Great CPR Exposition, which continues through 13 May 1984 "appeals to a much wider segment of the population" than other types of exhibits. It has a grass roots appeal. There's something of interest for everyone".
 
Attraction
 
Since it opened last August, the Great CPR Exposition has attracted more than 85,000 visitors, including 152 education groups and 30 other groups averaging about 30 persons a group. Mrs. Klassen estimated 85 percent of the museum's visitors were attracted by the CPR exposition.
 
During 1985, the Glenbow plans to circulate a small collection of the exposition's archival photographs, graphics, and artifacts to various Western Canadian centers.