The Carstairs and District Historical Society was formed in 1986 with the aim of turning the newly deconsecrated Knox Presbyterian Church into a community museum. Since that time, the Church and attached buildings have been transformed into our permanent galleries that house exhibits on local history, the Ing Gallery which functions as a temporary exhibition space and multipurpose space, and the Pointen Art Gallery our dedicated art space. In more recent years with the support of the Town of Carstairs and our community, the Museum has expanded onto our grounds with an administration and archives building that also houses our Travel Alberta accredited Visitor Information Centre, three carriage houses with history displays, as well as the longtime favourite McCaig homesteader house and its historic gardens.