Manitoba Living History Society

TO ALL MEMBERS -

This year’s FDV was one of the best ever – from several points of view, including the fine weather.

Things went swimmingly well up in the museum this year.  As usual, the two weeks that Barry put in on research and production prior to set-up were the creative force for our displays.  We had great help from both our members and from FDV staff in carrying the heavy stuff and in set-up and take-down.  (Thanks Bill and Chris and Colin and Claire)  We had enough people to keep an eye on all the artifacts as they spent time chatting with the public and demonstrating their skills or discussing their display area.   (Nothing went missing this year.)   27 MLHS members volunteered a little or a lot of time as volunteers in this year’s Museum.  Total volunteer hours just in the museum = approximately 209.

We managed to hang two very large flags from the rafters for “Flag Day”, and then left them up for the week.  The quern (thanks Pedro & Wendy) was, once again, a popular display, as was Olivia’s Aboriginal backboard of artifacts.  Surgeon Abel Edwards and Dr. White were popular – during the school program we did countless arm amputations, to the slight anxiety of some of the student volunteers who didn’t know exactly what they were volunteering for.  Spinning is always popular and this year, Claire started teaching Zaley how to spin.  New members Kaley and Sarah-Jane – and Kaley’s daughter, Emily, managed to get new costumes ready within a week, and put in many hours in the museum, and by all accounts, enjoyed it greatly.  Erle’s niece, Tiffany, spent time with him in the tepee, and in several of the cabins, but I’m told she was not permitted to try her hand at blacksmithing (women didn’t do that).  Enno took to the “Armed to the Teeth” display and I didn’t have to worry about little (and big) boys touching the musket when he was on hand.  Louis-Simon, who was going to take over the musket display, decided that he would become senior clerk in the trade shop – a role which he filled admirably.

Enormous thanks to all our willing volunteers for coming out to help – to share your enthusiasm for history – and to just enjoy the ambience that is FDV.  Your participation and cooperation make it all come together.

Ever in the Past

Judy McPherson

Chair
Manitoba Living History Society
2012 – Bicentennial – Selkirk Settlers

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