The Village of Breton welcomes you. The Breton Museum houses the history of the Breton area, including the history of Black settlers in Alberta.
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Residents in Breton buried this time capsule, being held by Mayor Darren Aldous, to celebrate Alberta's Centennial in 2005.
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Residents in Breton buried
this time capsule, being held by
Mayor Darren Aldous, to celebrate
Alberta's Centennial in 2005.

Breton's Vision Statement is A progressive community united in kindness and generosity.
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The Keystone Legacy, Recollections of a Black Settler is a book published by Breton resident, Gwen Hooks.
Click the graphic for information
on this book, written by Breton resident, Gwen Hooks.
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BRETON MUSEUM
Hours of Operation
Daily 11 am - 5 pm
During July & August
Other times by appointment.
Admission: By donation

 History of Breton
There's lots to do in Breton!
The picture facing all settlers at the turn of the century was a daunting one ... uncleared land, harsh weather and isolation. Non-Europeans often suffered the additional hardship of discrimination. This helps to explain why the flow of black American settlers from Oklahoma, begun in 1908 with Canadian government encouragement, was virtually over by 1912.

Nevertheless, about 1,000 courageous black souls settled in the province, including Keystone (now Breton).

In 1989 the Breton & District Historical Museum opened to the public, with exhibits that focus on four major themes: Black History, the Lumbering Industry, Community Development, and Agricultural Development. The Museum is located at 4711 - 51 Street in the former Breton Elementary School, a two-room school built in 1948.

The Breton & District Historical Museum is the only museum in the province that has a major focus on the Black settlement history of Alberta. Keystone (Breton) was one of four such rural communities in Alberta founded by Black settlers from Oklahoma and neighbouring states during the first part of the 20th century. One of the premier events the Museum hosts each year, on the fourth Sunday in February, is Black History Day.

The Museum also celebrates its lumbering history, which began with logging timber berths around the turn of the century. Breton and district became a major lumbering centre in the late 1920s after the arrival of the railway in 1926.

During the off season the museum is happy to open its doors for school tours and private tours.

Breton and District Historical Museum
Contact Person - Allan Goddard
Phone 780-696-2551 ... E-mail bretonmuse@yahoo.com
Special Events:
    Black History Month Celebrations the 4th Sunday of February
    Canada Day Celebrations July 1

KEYSTONE CEMETERY
In 1985 the Breton & District Historical Society decided to restore the Keystone Cemetery, following many years of neglect. The Historical Society restored the cemetery and erected a cairn to honour the Black families who had settled Keystone. During this project it was discovered that the cemetery was not listed at the Land Titles Office and also that the property line of the adjoining quarter ran through the cemetery. With the help of Brazeau County, the Historical Society obtained a legal subdivision from the present owners of the land and now have title to the property. The Breton and District Historical Society has earned national and international attention for its work, including the restoration of the Keystone Cemetery, where many of the early settlers are buried. Today the Keystone Cemetery stands as a silent testament to the Black families who were the first major group to populate the area.
There's lots to do in Breton!
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