Gerald and Brigette Miller pose beside one of the newest additions to their learning centre– a collection of hockey cards completely comprised of First Nations, Metis and Inuit athletes.
The Lloydminster Heritage Learning Centre (LHLC) has been a busy place over the past few months.
Husband and wife team Gerald and Brigette Miller have led more than 400 tours in 75 days, in their popular LloydMall space.
“It’s been exciting, overwhelming. I’ve had times where there’s like so many people standing there wanting a tour,” said Gerald.
The learning centre is essentially a revolving museum with a personal touch.
“I think that’s why people are so drawn to this, is because they can actually see it and sometimes they can actually hold some of those artifacts,” said Brigette.
The Millers own all different kinds of collections. From rocks and minerals to Indigenous artifacts and tools to sports memorabilia, so they are able to change out their displays to match the season.
“Remembrance Day is coming too, so that’s something that we definitely want to acknowledge,” said Brigette.
“Native and Metis fought in (both World Wars), so I’m going to blend that in, and then once that’s done we will have some of the trapline stuff,” said Gerald.
“By December we’re hoping to be into the sports memorabilia, the Pokemon cards, the hockey cards,” he said, adding he has about 62,000 hockey cards alone.
LloydMall marketing coordinator Janelle Owens says the LloydMall values community partnerships such as this.
“With an available space, we are able to assist the Lloydminster Heritage Centre to gather public awareness and provide both the local and surrounding communities and schools with an educational attraction,” said Owens.
“It’s a great educational experience for all ages, they have so much to offer the community.”
The Millers say they are constantly surprised and thrilled by the visitors that come through, and they say the learning happens on both sides.
“A young lady came through here with her mom twice now—she studied to be a scientist. I took her on another tour, and she’s standing here and she goes to her mom—she goes ‘I’ve been studying this now for awhile. Mr. Miller, in the last hour you have shown me more than I’ve learned in a year studying’,” Gerald recalled.
“You wouldn’t believe the amount of stories I’ve been told. It’s phenomenal. Out of 400 tours I don’t think anyone left disappointed.”
The LHLC is located at the East end of the mall, and is open to the public the following days: Thurs. 5-8 p.m., Fri. 10-6 p.m., Sat. 10-6 p.m., and Sun. 12-5 p.m.
