At the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, there are many treasures to be experienced. But there's one that doesn't have wheels or wings attached -the award-winning, world-renowned resource centre.

An integral element of the museum since its 1992 opening, the archives initially consisted entirely of donated trade literature from benefactor Stan Reynolds, covering the early years of motorized transportation development.

"Mr. Reynolds had an impressive library of materials. The museum management knew right away that a resource centre had to be established," said curator Randy Kvill.

The holdings now span the decades to contain information about current technology, thanks to the generous donations of countless individuals. The most widely represented years are from the 1920s to the 1950s.

"We've now got well over 60,000 pieces in the resource centre," said Kvill.

On hand are such diverse historical sources as manufacturer's sales and service literature, books, magazines, newsletters, journals, subject files, research reports and audio-visual productions.

As the largest public assortment of related subject matter in Canada, the Reynolds-Alberta Museum's Resource Centre has a subject scope far beyond just automobiles, ranging to trucks, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors and other agricultural machinery, industrial equipment and aircraft. Even non-motorized devices, like wagons and plows.

The centre is managed by Kvill, who has long been a key contributor to the museum's organization and development.

"I started here in 1982, performing inventory and photography of the Stan Reynolds collection of artifacts," said Kvill, who first arrived during a break from his college studies.

Kvill returned to the museum the next summer after graduation and has been here ever since.

"I did research work, then restoration before moving into a curatorial position," said Kvill.

Kvill and his volunteer staff members welcome visitors to the resource centre Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To visit on other weekdays, call to schedule an appointment. Phone inquiries are accepted Monday to Friday.

As a non-lending facility, materials are only available for on-site study. Black and white or colour photocopies can be provided for nominal fees for reproduction and mailing costs. In addition, information can be faxed or scanned and electronically forwarded.

"Inquiries range from children in Grade 3 doing research projects, to people pursuing family histories, even writers worldwide researching their book projects," said Kvill.

Over the years, the resource centre has provided valuable assistance to hundreds of enthusiasts, historians, museum and library professionals, collectors and restorers.

Requests even come from within the building. "Every day there's someone from our restoration shop in here looking for something," said Kvill.

The Reynolds-Alberta Museum Resource Centre can be reached at 780-361-1351, toll-free at 1-800-661-4726 or by e-mailing refctr.ram@ gov.ab.ca. The museum website is www.machinemuseum.net.