May 09, 2018

Experience the Historic Clay District With Our Medicine Hat Hotel Cultural Package

Explore history and culture with our Medicine Hat hotel cultural package, which includes two passes to Medalta in the Historic Clay District. (Photo courtesy of Medicine Hat Tourism)

Explore history and culture with our Medicine Hat hotel cultural package, which includes two passes to Medalta in the Historic Clay District. (Photo courtesy of Medicine Hat Tourism)

Medicine Hat may be known as one of the sunniest places in Canada, but it also has a rich history that literally starts from the ground up.

Not far from your Medicine Hat Hotel is Medalta in the Historic Clay District, where pottery and ceramics have been fired since the early 1900s.

Learn more about Medalta and clay and natural gas production in Medicine Hat, and make sure to check out our Medicine Hat Hotel cultural package to see how you can experience this important piece of Albertan culture.


History of the Historic Clay District

It started when naturally rich deposits of clay were found on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River around the same time that Canadian Pacific Railway workers, while drilling holes in the ground to look for water, accidentally discovered natural gas. The discovery started a boom in manufacturing plants in Medicine Hat, and the inexpensive fuel allowed for clay products, such as brick, to be produced cheaply.

Many small clay factories were established at what is now Medalta and the Historic Clay District along the river, with the two most dominant being Medicine Hat Brick & Tile and Alberta Clay Products.


Historic Clay District Today

The Historic Clay District is now a popular site for tourism in Medicine Hat, and includes a number of points of interest.

The main site, Medalta, is now home to a state-of-the-art contemporary ceramic artists’ studio facility, a working museum, reception gallery and education centre.

Ceramic artists from the world arrive in Medicine Hat to take part in the Medalta International Artist in Residence program.

Visitors can not only learn about the rich history of Medicine Hat’s clay production, but also get their hands dirty by taking community education classes and workshops, including kids classes, from some of the best potters in the world.


Visit Medalta as part of our Medicine Hat hotel deals

Explore the Historic Clay District’s preserved brick buildings and experience Medalta’s contemporary museum, studios and gallery by booking our Comfort Inn and Suites’ Medicine Hat cultural package.

The deal includes a one-night stay in our Choice hotel, two passes to Medalta, a $35 gift certificate to Inspire Café in the historic Hargrave-SissonsBlock in Medicine Hat, as well as a Medalta souvenir.

Your stay also includes our complimentary hot breakfast buffet and access to our indoor pool and hot tub — a perfect way to start and end your day.

Travelling with the family pet? Read why Travelling with Fido has its Perks at Medicine Hat Pet Friendly Hotels.


One of the best hotels in Medicine Hat, Alberta, the Comfort Inn and Suites offers a number of special packages for those looking for everything from a romantic getaway to a shopping excursion. Besides our cultural package, you can also enjoy a family night out, or try your luck at the roulette table with our casino package or putt for that birdie with our golf package. Contact us to find out more.