But before I speak of these, I want to share with you about a wonderful day we all had in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Center, an open air museum depicting the pioneer life of eastern Alberta's early Ukrainian settlers from 1892 to 1930. Over thirty historic structures have been relocated to this outdoor museum, restored and furnished to a pre-1930 period, staffed by costumed role-players who re-enact the historic routines and activities associated with that household, institution or business. We visited the train depot, the grain mill, an hotel, various living structures from "burdai" (sod) to lath and plaster homes, and most interesting two of three Eastern Byzantine Rite churches of early years. There was even a one room school house complete with an elementary school teacher, an old grocery and Albeta's oldest functioning blacksmith works. When we got tired of walking between the many structures, we were picked up in a horse drawn carriage and shuttled past the "farmer" who was plowing the fields with his horse drawn apparatus while hearing stories of old. I learned so much on that one day in mid-August and enjoyed stepping back in time, it was a true treat gaining a sense of culture and the sacrifices that these immigrants made to have a future hope and to own some land. There were some period actors that only spoke Ukrainian, with a little bit of English mixed, just enough to keep you interested in what was being shared. Here are some pictures from this walk back in time.
An old barn and a typical burdai sod home. The immigrants has ten years to clear their 160 acres as part of their homestead requirements to own the land.
The lands were all forested at that time. Also, check out this link for a nice movie that gives an overview of the village: http://www.albertaprimetime.com/Stories.aspx?pd=2434
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