INNISFAIL – Family history has come full circle at the Innisfail and District Historical Village.
Twenty-eight-year-old Kayla Godkin, who hails from Central Alberta, was recently chosen as the new museum manager.
Her grandmother, Dr. Margaret Godkin, was the museum’s first curator 50 years ago. Godkin and her husband were veterinarians in Innisfail.
“It kind of feels a little bit like grandma wanted me to work here,” said Godkin, noting she never had the chance to meet her grandmother. “My dad always used to tell me how much I reminded him of her, so I have a little bit of a special connection there.”
Godkin officially began her new role on April 15.
She wasn’t chosen for the position by chance, and in fact was asked by historical village board president, Anna Lenters, for an interview.
"I was looking for work and actually applied for a different job in the area and somehow Anna got a hold of my information,” said Godkin, who is a full-time student at Red Deer College. “She contacted me out of the blue and (asked to speak with me).”
Godkin has several years of museum experience and brings extensive knowledge of the industry to her new role.
“I’ve actually been working in museums since I was 19 years old. My background is in museums and hospitality so this is my familiar territory,” she said, noting her employment with the Danish Canadian Museum in Dickson, the Ellis Bird Farm and Stephansson House.
“I’m really, really pleased with being on board. It was something that was never really on my radar but when I heard about the position, I was really excited for it,” said Godkin.
Lenters said she and the board are just as happy to have Godkin a part of the team.
“It was destiny. Kayla is a gift and we are very pleased to have her here,” said Lenters. “I’m feeling very good about this (decision to hire Kayla). She has our support.”
Filling her grandmother’s shoes and following in her footsteps seemed to be a twist of fate, noted Godkin.
“My dad always used to talk about being at this place and coming to visit when he was young,” she said. “Driving by you have no idea the amount of history that this site holds. I’m really excited to learn all about those little things (and about the historical village),” Godkin concluded.
