The Basilian Fathers Museum was founded in the 1950s, but its roots go back much further—to a French Canadian priest named Father Josaphat Jean.
In 1910 Father Jean went to Ukraine to study the Ukrainian language and the Eastern rite. Inspired by Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyi, the charismatic founder of the National Museum in L’viv, Father Jean began to collect a wide variety of religious and ethnographic artifacts. These eventually found a home at the museum in Mundare.
When contacts with Ukraine were cut off by the Communist regime in the 1940s, the Basilian Fathers recognized the need to preserve the cultural as well as the religious heritage of Ukrainians in Canada.
In 1953 the Basilians founded a Ukrainian museum in the town of Mundare. Here, Father Jean’s valuable lifetime collection of religious artifacts found a permanent home alongside unique collections of Ukrainian Easter eggs, embroidery, weaving, pioneer tools and folk artifacts.
The museum also houses a private library collection and archives (not open to the public).
In 1991 the museum’s collections were moved to the current museum building—a beautiful new structure which combines elements of Ukrainian folk architecture and Byzantine church style. The new museum took the name Basilian Fathers Museum.
The museum:
• commemorates the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada
• serves as a memorial to the early pioneers
• marks the Basilian Fathers’ continued dedication to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Ukrainian Canadians
Easter is quickly approaching us, the Basilian Fathers Museum has in stock. Hand made basket covers, pysanky, lamb butter molds, egg dyes, as wel...
The Basilian Fathers Museum will be closed from December 23, 2017 to January 7, 2018. We will resume regular hours Monday, January 8, 2018. We wish...
If you are looking for a meaningful Christmas gift, keep the Basilian Fathers Museum in mind. We have a large selection of puzzles on advent themes...
The Mundare Hospital Auxiliary Bake Sale will be held at the Basilian Fathers Museum (Mundare, AB) Friday, November 17, 2017 11:00am to 1:30pm ...
Now on display at the Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare, AB, is a exhibit of community posters, business calendars and general store furnishings. Fr...
Due to little interest for the free how-to seminar to be held in, Mundare,AB at the Basilian Fathers Museum on Thursday, March 23, 2017 will be can...
If anyone is interested in U-haul cardboard moving boxes, all sizes and strong. Good for storing or moving stuff. The Basilian Fathers ...
Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 6:30pm-8:30pm. The Basilian Fathers Museum will be hosting a free how-to seminar on genealogical. Learn more on r...
As Easter quickly approaches us, the Basilian Father Museum has in stock. Hand made Basket covers, pysanky, wooden pysanky, wooden pysanky st...
The Basilian Fathers Museum will be closed Friday, December 23, 2016 until Sunday, January 8, 2017 for Christmas Holidays. Regular hours will...