Inside Ian MacGregor's collection
The driving force behind a new oil sands upgrader has spent a lifetime collecting industrial machinery
The road that leads up to Ian MacGregor's family ranch house, west of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.Chris Bolin
Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. His fulltime Black Smith, Japheth Howard shows his tools.Chris Bolin
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, west of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. His full-time Black Smith, Japheth Howard works in the shop with his dog, Abe, where each piece is re-assembled by hand. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. His fulltime Black Smith, Japheth Howard shows his tools. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. His fulltime Black Smith, Japheth Howard shows his tools. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. This photo shows the hallway to the room that displays African Metal works.Chris Bolin
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. This photo shows the room that displays African Metal works. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. This photo shows the room that displays African Metal works. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
The coal burner of a steam locomotive now sits as Ian MacGregor's fireplace in his home office.Chris Bolin
For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.Chris Bolin
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. This photo shows a log book that had daily records for a 19th century tandem compound mill engine that was made in 1908. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
A 19th century tandem compound mill engine that was made in 1908.Chris Bolin
The wheel of a steam locomotive now sits as Ian MacGregor's desk in his home office.Chris Bolin
A 19th century tandem compound mill engine that was made in 1908.Chris Bolin
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. This photo shows a 19th century tandem compound mill engine that was made in 1908. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. This photo shows a 19th century tandem compound mill engine that was made in 1908. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, February 09, 2011, - Ghost Lake, Alberta - Ian MacGregor, a partner with North West Capital Inc. houses his collection of historical metal making tools in his private museum, West of Calgary on Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Amongst some 20,000 square feet of an underground bunker and tunnel system lies one of the largest collection of early technology that encompasses the years from 100 AD Africa to the British Industrial Revolution. For over 30 years MacGregor has been acquiring machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. Photo by Chris Bolin for The Globe and MailChris Bolin/The Globe and Mail