The Doukhobor Dugout House National Historic Site located south of Blaine Lake will be honouring Canada’s 150th Birthday with free admission on its July 1 themed season opening date.
The 2017 theme of War and Peace is appropriately titled as it not only captures the historic relevance of Canada but also of the Russian immigrants who escaped to Canada in 1899.
Brenda Cheveldayoff, site owner and organizer, continues to express her appreciation to the many individuals that assisted her over the years to realize the historical significance of the area.
The seasonal theme on the life and times of Leo Tolstoy focuses on his personal involvement in the Russian immigrant movement and support of the Doukhbors in their plight for peace.
Guests of the Doukhobor Dugout House National Historic Site are greeted by volunteers adorned in period costume capturing and drawing the crowd into the atmosphere of the era.
Rick Choppe has the honour of acting as Leo Tolstoy. The guided tour commences atop the North Saskatchewan riverbank. Actors read either historic documentation or relevant script in an attempt to draw the visitors back in time.
Cheveldayoff continues the tour by guiding the visitors down the path to the spring where a volunteer demonstrates washing clothes with spring water and lye soap.
Members from the group are often asked to partake in the wash, giving them a hands-on perspective of what it was like to perform daily tasks at that time.
The tour continues to the site of the dugout house where Cheveldayoff explains the relevance of the site and the artifacts that were found during the previous and ongoing archeological excavations.
Visitors will then be guided back up the bank to participate in the plough pulling event. Twelve people volunteer to demonstrate pulling while one person guides the plough.
“It is important to share these ancestral events with other cultures,” explained Cheveldayoff. “It adds clarity by providing an opportunity for questions to be answered.”
One of the big misconceptions identified is that the women were forced to pull the plough as a means of punishment. This is not true, but rather, the women devised the system to assist in clearing land for gardens and crops while the men were away earning money. Women would often spend their time working the land while singing songs of praise. It was a difficult time but yet a time of peace and opportunity to draw close with their creator.
“The historic relevance of this site is only one of many parts that makes up Canada’s culture and diversity. Canada was a welcoming country to my ancestors so it is only fitting to honor the nation’s birthday with free admission and celebratory effects,” commented Cheveldayoff.
The tour concludes at the building identified as the Prayer Home. Guests are greeted and informed on the significance of being a Doukhobor.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the Quonset where numerous artifacts and memorabilia are on display. Refreshments and traditional home made bread served with butter or jam is also available.
The site is open only on Saturdays during the month of July and guided tours are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. A nominal admission fee is applicable to individuals over 12 years of age. For more information on the Doukhobor Dugout House and its tours, please visit www.doukhobordugouthouse.com
