Monday, September 10, 2018

Wonderful Memories



Retta Thompson was a former resident of the T Eaton Co. house, currently located at the Kindersley and District Plains Museum, donated by herself and her sister May. She recently donated original artifacts from the house including an alarm clock and photograph of her father, Mr. Johnston Hill. In 1918 the precut lumber for the house was sent from British Columbia to Pinkham, Saskatchewan by rail. It was then brought to Zilda and Johnston Hill’s farm site by horse and wagon (6 miles northwest of Eatonia). The lumber cost $970 with an additional $750 for building materials. Included in the structure was a coal furnace and electric lighting. This pushed the total cost to around $2000. (Catalogue Houses-Eaton’s and Others) The house was built quickly by neighbors from close by and the family. It had a full basement with stone walls and a dirt floor. In 1940, the original siding was changed to a brick style.
Christmas of 1918 was celebrated in the Eaton’s house. Retta said that they always had company around. Her mother hired help until her brother Ruben was old enough to manage the farm and he spent the rest of his life there. She went to school in the area, with her siblings. The school was on their land, so it was only about a mile away. The kids would usually walk, but sometimes Retta’s friend would pick her up on her horse. Although the time was hard during the depression, they were always well fed and well cared for. She shared many happy memories in the house and it was a meeting place for everyone in the area. They used to play cards and visit with friends and family. On Thursday nights they would play old time music on the radio from Calgary, Alberta. Furniture was shuffled to the side to make room for dancing. This way the kids could practice for their school dances on Fridays. Retta enjoys visiting the museum and looking out the windows, reminiscing about the past. She still resides in the Kindersley area and now has a family of her own including 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
The Eaton’s house was built 100 years ago and still stands as it was built. More information about Retta’s home and others like it can be found inside the books “A Past to Cherish” (at the Museum) and “Catalogue Houses-Eaton’s’ and Others”.
Make sure to check out the Eaton’s house and the rest of Kindersley’s heritage at the Kindersley and District Plains Museum! Guaranteed you will meet wonderful people and enjoy learning many new things!


More Paint Night



What a fabulous paint night at the museum! Thank you to everyone who attended! Make sure to rent space for your event at the museum! They also have tables and chairs for rent! Come check it out!





Sunday, September 2, 2018

End of Summer

We, Anna and I, are sorry to say that the Tourist Centre in Kindersley is now closed for the winter. It will re-open in May 2019!

You can tour the museum by calling (306) 463-6620 or drop by!

You will also be able to get tourist information when dropping by to visit. During the week there will still be a smiling face to greet you.


Sunday, August 26, 2018

Fifties Fair Paint Pouring

Fun, fabulous friends and fantastic food makes a great event. Everyone enjoyed the experience with some coming the next day with their children. They used up the left over paint and did an awesome job. The following pictures are of some of the art created by the fabulous, creative women that joined us. I have chosen the best pictures that I was able to take. 

Thank you everyone for coming out and making the event a great success.








Thursday, August 16, 2018

Marco, the Museum Cat!

Marco the cat was hiding. I thought he had escaped and so did Anna. He was inside until we got the cat house area fixed so he could not escape.

We looked for him, called him and he finally decided to grace us with a look. We caught him and took back to his outside home.



Saskatchewan Tourist Trips 1937


We found this book in a building at the museum. It is tourism information about Saskatchewan from 1937. Come to the museum to see us for a better look.
We do find some very interesting books and items at the Museum.







Wonderful Memories

Retta Thompson was a former resident of the T Eaton Co. house, currently located at the Kindersley and District Plains Museum, donated ...