The ribbons have been cut.
Two new buildings are unveiled and standing strong behind the Fred Light Museum in Battleford.
Thanks to donations from various organizations, the Andersen Woodworking building and the Lighthouse Service Station are now on full display with deep historical roots within their walls.
Anders Andersen started building furniture in the late 1920s to early 1930s. He built five-piece bedroom suites, tables and chairs. He used to glue together strips of cedar to make a large sheet of wood before cutting what he needed from the sheet. Anders also built windows and caskets. The Andersen’s family projects, along with some of their tools, are on display within the woodworking building. Many people from the Andersen family were in attendance to celebrate the grand opening.
Across from the Andersen building stands the 1940 era replica service station, inspired by museum benefactor Fred Light's legacy as a service station owner. The replica service station is a joint project among the Battlefords Vintage Automobile Club, the Fred Light Museum and the Town of Battleford. BVAC has provided more than 1,000 hours of volunteer labour and undertook the fundraising. A vintage Ford model car can be found at the back of the service station.
“This is a really important museum to our heritage and the past and the history of the town of Battleford,” Mayor Derek Mahon said.
A cheque from the Battlefords Lions Club was also presented to Bernadette Leslie, the curator of the Fred Light museum, for a special gazebo that will be put up just behind the new buildings. The gazebo will be used for picnickers, wedding photos and other events.
The Auto Club brought in vintage cars to be on display for the day. There was also free horse-drawn wagon rides for the kids.
The Fred Light Museum has been a big part of the city of Battleford for over 30 years.
