The closure of Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada on June 1st, including the St. Albert, Alberta, location, marked the end of an era for many. But within its walls, a piece of history waited to be rediscovered.
Muna Abdulhussain, a 15-year employee, described the day as filled with “mixed emotion actually.” “It was sad, very emotional to see our customers. We had very loyal customers there and built a good relationship with them.” The store’s final day held more than just goodbyes; it was the day a time capsule, sealed in 1995 and not meant to be opened until 2045, saw the light of day.
“When we opened the frame there was a hole in the wall, and they grabbed the box and there was a key attached already,” Abdulhussain explained, adding to the unexpected nature of the discovery. Initial Impression was one of curiousity.
The contents offered a glimpse into the mid-90s: staff photos, memorabilia from the company’s 325th anniversary, a catalogue, a newspaper, a Hudson’s Bay comic book, an Eagles CD, and two cassette tapes , The Lion King soundtrack and a Tragically Hip album. Seeing the items, one former shopper remarked on X.com, “It was like stepping back into my childhood living room.”
“They opened that box (and) it was just like opening a treasure,” an emotional Abdulhussain recalled, the sense of nostalgia palpable.
The Subsequenr Revelation was that the capsule revealed much more than just objects; it was a snapshot of a community and its connection to a store that had been a fixture for decades.
- Staff names and photos
- Hudson’s Bay Company 325th anniversary memorabilia
- A Hudson’s Bay Company catalogue
- A newspaper from 1995
- A comic book about Hudson’s Bay
- An Eagles CD
- Two cassette tapes: The Lion King soundtrack and a Tragically Hip album
The Hudson’s Bay staff decided to donate the time capsule to the Musée Heritage Museum in St. Albert. This decision underscores a recognition of the capsule’s historical significance, not just to the company, but to the local community as a whole.
“Right away, the employees at the store and the store manager decided that this is really something that shows the history of The Bay in St. Albert,” said Musée Heritage Museum curator Martin Bierens. He emphasized the rarity of such a donation. “It’s not too often we get a time capsule, so this is a unique donation.”
The Musée Heritage Museum sees the time capsule as a valuable addition to their collection. “Capturing the end of the Hudson’s Bay Company is very important for our museum. The Hudson’s Bay Company has had an influence within our community since the founding of the community that became known as St Albert.”
The Reivsed Perspective? The time capsule represents more than corporate history. It’s a communal artifact now, sparking memories and conversations among residents, many of whom feel a personal connection to the Hudson’s Bay store.
One local resident, Sarah Jenkins, shared on Facebook: “My grandma used to take me to that Bay every Saturday. We’d have lunch at the diner and then browse for hours. So many memories there.” Others echoed this sentiment, sharing personal stories and photos on Instagram using #StAlbertBayMemories.
The museum’s acquisition ensures that future generations can connect with the town’s past, learning about the role of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the community it served. “There was a sense of unfolding,” Bierens noted, describing the reaction of museum staff as they began cataloging the items. The time capsule, initially intended to bridge the gap between 1995 and 2045, now serves a different purpose: connecting the past to the present and inspiring a deeper understanding of St. Albert’s unique identity.
The donation serves as a testament to the enduring power of local history and the impottance of preserving it for future generations to appreciate. The capsule’s contents are expected to be on disply at the Musee Heritage Museum sometime next year, after careful conservation and cataloging is completed.
