Inside, you will also find an extraordinary collection containing thousands of different varieties of butterflies.
The Hillcrest Museum
Public Hours — May Long Weekend (special 3-day opening)
— July
— August
— September Long Weekend
— In late spring we are also available to conduct pre-scheduled school/group tours
This popular tourist attraction is situated right next to our famous swinging bridge on 26 Crescent Ave. E. Originally constructed by the son of Squire Sowden, The Museum contains artifacts from different eras in the history of the Souris and Glenwood district. Everything is all set in the original architectural style of the early 1900 original castle-like structure. There are about 100 volunteers who act as hosts and we hire 3 summer students to work the summer months.
History
Hillcrest Museum was built in 1910 as a home for Fred Sowden and his wife Maud. Fred was the son of Squire Sowden who built the Swinging Bridge. You can still see a portion of the foundation of Squire Sowden's house which remains between the Swinging Bridge and Museum.
Over the years the Sowden homestead was home to many people. In 1967 it was purchased as a Centennial project and Hillcrest Museum was formed.
The etched glass panels in the entrance, the beautiful oak staircase, the different pressed tin ceiling and stain glass in many windows are all original to the house. There are also some original Sowden pieces of furniture, but most of the articles housed in Hillcrest have been either purchased or donated to the museum.
