The Humboldt and District Museum is once again opening its doors to amazing local stories that define the region with Stories of Humboldt: Chapter 7. It’s a compelling trio of exhibits that highlight everything from intergenerational baseball legends and historic gardens to a notorious Christmas night murder that once gripped the nation. Patrons gathered for an opening presentation and discussion on Wednesday, July 23.
This seventh chapter in the museum’s ongoing exhibit series invites visitors to connect with Humboldt’s past through storytelling and community engagement.
The Marysburg Royals: baseball royalty from a hamlet of 30
One of the uplifting tales in this chapter is that of the Marysburg Royals, a powerhouse baseball team hailing from a community with fewer than 30 residents. Their legacy began over a century ago, before the community’s 1918 incorporation, and continues to thrive today, with third and fourth generation players suiting up for the team.
“The story of the Royals is one of pride, perseverance, and deep family roots,” said exhibit curator Rachel Wormsbecher. “It’s astonishing to see multiple generations from the same families playing together, and winning together, on a team that’s kept Marysburg literally and figuratively on the map.”
With the help of Wayne Strueby, who provided much of the material and several of the jerseys on display, the exhibit charts the team’s evolution, from their humble beginnings in the early 1900s to joining the Saskatchewan Senior Baseball League in the 2000s and even securing a provincial title in 2011.
Parsley, Sage, Roses and Time: A garden grown by community hands
In contrast to the roar of the Royals’ home runs is the quiet beauty of the Humboldt Heritage Garden, a flourishing symbol of prairie women’s history and Humboldt’s commitment to public art and preservation.
The garden, officially titled Parsley, Sage, Roses and Time, was conceived in 2005 as part of a Centennial art initiative to honour 100 years of prairie women. What began as an ambitious art-meets-horticulture project has blossomed into a community treasure and home to rare heritage plants once common on homesteads, now lovingly maintained by local volunteers.
“This garden is as much a living exhibit as it is a legacy,” said Wormsbecher. “The commitment of volunteers over the past two decades has been extraordinary; it’s stunning because people cared enough to keep it that way.”
Murder on Christmas night: A true crime from 1929
The third and most dramatic story in Chapter 7 dives into Humboldt’s own true crime history with the 1929 Christmas Night Murder, a chilling tale of love, betrayal, and tragedy that shook the community and made national headlines.
The exhibit tells the story of Alex Wysochan, a Polish immigrant accused of killing his lover, Antena Kropa, in a railway shack on Christmas night. With only Antena’s toddler as a witness and a controversial trial that would alter the course of a young lawyer’s career, the case remains fraught with unanswered questions.
“This case is complex, emotional, and highly debated, even now,” said exhibit researcher Catherine Harrison, “There’s a lot we couldn’t fit in the display, but that’s why we’ve included sticky notes, so visitors can literally add their voice to the timeline.”
The case defense lawyer was none other than John Diefenbaker. The future prime minister lost the trial, a pivotal moment in his legal journey. The exhibit, built from extensive research by Terry Bauer, Dennis Korte, and Bob Pitzel, offers a deep look into the social and legal climate of the 1930s through one unforgettable event.
Chapter 7 is more than a collection of displays. It’s a community dialogue, inviting residents and visitors alike to remember, reflect, and share. From baseball diamonds to rose gardens and courtroom dramas, the stories speak not only to Humboldt’s past but also to its enduring spirit.
The exhibit is now open at the Humboldt and District Museum. Refreshments and conversations are encouraged.