The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum
In this bittersweet portrait of a farm town in Canada, taxidermied gophers preserve a place that no longer exists - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington, Alberta, Canada, is a unique tourist attraction that showcases the town's past through taxidermied Richardson's ground squirrels in dioramas. The museum, opened in 1996, was curated by Dianne Kurta until she stepped back due to health issues. The film explores the town's changing landscape and the bittersweet struggle to remember what once was.
Indigenous mythology and geological surveys provide two perspectives on understanding the area. A tragic train collision involving locals Jack and Betty is recounted, highlighting the museum's role in preserving local history. The town, once named Asbestos, faces the consequences of an industry's departure, leaving behind desolate spaces.
Amidst these changes, the museum offers a gentle artistry that celebrates the town's history and the resilience of its people.
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