Heritage Arts Centre Est. 2019
A few years ago, a group of women in the Oldman River Antique Equipment and Threshing Club voiced their concerns regarding the lack of emphasis placed on the female contributions to the settlement of the prairies. Sharing their stories with younger generations was becoming progressively harder with the slow passing of their generation. Without proper recognition and preservation, much of the knowledge and experience these ladies have would be lost.
These ladies decided to renovate two rooms in the back of the Jumbo Valley Church to provide them with a space to hold meetings, craft shows, and a safe place to teach and practice these heritage arts.
This group of crafty ladies do all sorts of needlework such as, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and even embroidery. They demonstrate how basic home items were crafted before electronic sewing machines were invented. Most of these ladies grew up making and mending their own clothing by hand! These women also share a passion for vegetable and flower gardening, an essential part of early prairie life.
This dream became a reality with the generous support from New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Lethbridge Foundation, Heritage Acres Farm Museum, and funding efforts of the Heritage Arts group. The grand opening was on March 8th, 2019, and the Heritage Arts Centre was born.
