"Chester Mjolsness' World of Wildlife" Exhibit

"This wildlife museum is outstanding! I had to come all the way from Germany to see and enjoy something like this. Thanks so much!" (H.H., Germany)

"Excellent display! I want all my family to see this. This is the closest to the animals I've been since I was on Safari in Africa." (B.M., Canada)

"This is an absolutely wonderful museum -- a true work of art from the animal mounts to the fantastic setting involved -- a wonderful legacy and an honour for the Sundre area!" (D. & J. S., Canada)

"Absolutely wonderful exhibit ... a much appreciated educational tour presentation by our guide." (J.M., Mississippi, USA)

"I never learned so much in one day!" (Taylor, age 8)

Wildlife museum a 'world-class' facility

Courtesy of the Sundre Round Up

After more than two years in construction and a decade in planning, the new Sundre wildlife museum is up and running after a grand opening on Saturday.

The Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife Museum houses more than 150 animal mounts, including giraffe, elephant, hippo, rhino and polar bear.  The animals were taken by Mjolsness during hunting expeditions of the past decades.

During Saturday's grand opening, Mjolsness said he believes the museum will be a great resource for educating people about wildlife conservation.  "It will let people know that hunters are conservationists, more than many activists, a lot more," said Mjolsness.  "They (activists) don't do very much to enhance the habitat for the animals but hunters are on it all the time.  That's the message I'm hoping to get out.

"People said Sundre is not the place to put the museum, put it in Canmore or put it in Cochrane.  But I said no, I'll put it in my hometown, that's the best place for it.  I'm on cloud 9 today.  It's been 12 years since I got the idea.  I think people will come."

Work on the new museum, built specifically to house the Mjolsness collection, has been underway for more than two years.  He travelled the world for three decades building his collection.

Several hundred people attended the grand opening ceremony on Saturday.  "It's going to be a tremendous asset when it comes to education," said Ty Lund, Sundre MLA and Alberta Minister of Infrastructure.  "I can't say enough about what an important success this has been.  This will be a tremendous addition to Sundre."

Wild Rose MP Myron Thompson commended everyone involved in the project, both present and past volunteers in particular.  "What a fantastic result from a dedicated community," said Thompson.  "It is a world-class attraction for Sundre." Thompson commended the many SDHS volunteers who helped make the museum possible, including Nels Eskesen, who was president of the society when work began on the museum complex.  "I know Nels is looking down today and is very proud," he said.  "We are eternally grateful." Thompson said he plans to make an announcement about the museum in Parliament.

Sundre Mayor Roy Cummings said the museum is a the result of a tremendous volunteer effort.  "This is world class.  We should all be proud of what we see today," said Cummings.  Artist Lorraine Hughes, who spent more than 1,000 hours on the murals in the facility, thanked Mjolsness and taxidermist Povl and Bibianne Munksgaard.  "It's been a wonderful experience," said Hughes.

Povl said the museum has been designed to "create a total ecosystem".  He commended Sundre Fish and Wildlife for donating two Big Horn sheep mounts to the museum.  "We hope this museum will make Chester's dream come true," said Bibianne.  "I think it is a great day for the town of Sundre." She said Hughes "did a beautiful job" on the murals.

Grand opening emcee Annette Rose commend Mjolsness, Nels Eskesen, former society president John Howton and all the SDHS volunteers for making the museum possible.  "His energy, enthusiasm and drive enabled the volunteers to work tirelessly to complete the project.  He was instrumental in encouraging Chester to locate the World of Wildlife Museum in Sundre rather than a larger centre.  Sadly, Nels lost his life as a result of a fall from this building.  In his memory it has been named the Nels Eskesen Reception Centre."

She also commended Hughes and Povl and Bibianne Munksgaard for their efforts.  "Between Chester and Povl and Lainy there developed a foundation of mutual respect and trust, sharing and melding of ideas has resulted in what you see today," said Rose.  "Hughes has captured a three dimensional panorama of jungle and mountains, forest and plains, savannah and ice caps presenting a backdrop which sets off the realistic qualities of Munksguaard's work and the realization of Chester's dream."

Rose said the new facility will be an asset for Sundre for generations to come.  "It will serve as a teaching tool for schools province-wide.  It will be viewed by tourists from other countries and will be a lifelong benefit to the Sundre and District Historical Society (and) a reminder of the generosity of Chester Mjolsness."

Rose said funding for the facility came from grants at the municipal and local levels, corporate and private donations, local service clubs and organizations and fundraisers.  Labour was provided by many local volunteers, local contractors and community organizations.

About 80 people, mostly hunters, trappers, Fish and Wildlife officials, and other outdoor enthusiasts attended an invitation only dinner at the museum on Friday night.

"It was great fun," he said.  "It was lots of fun," said Mjolsness.