By battlefordsNOW

Those Were The Days volunteers take visitors back to the past

Aug 13, 2018 | 11:00 AM

Stan Mills has a penchant for the past.

The retired farmer was one of many volunteers who came together to share knowledge during Those Were the Days at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford over the weekend. Visitors to the event Saturday and Sunday had an opportunity to step back in time and learn what life was like in the early 1900s.  

Mills, who has been volunteering at the museum for the past 30 years, helped organize an exhibit of several historic stationary engines, which was on display near the Heritage Village.

“I grew up with [this machinery] in the ’40s and late ’30s,” he said. “The oldest engine here I know of is 102 years old, and it’s running great.”

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Mills said the stationary engines were used to pump water, saw wood, and grind grain on the farm many years ago.  

“It’s an era that has died out, unfortunately,” he said.

Mills said he is familiar with how the old machinery works so he enjoys taking on the task of fixing the relics.

People attending Those Were The Days were able to take in a wide number of displays and demonstrations. Blacksmith Adrian Delainey showed his skills at his shop in the Heritage Village.

“I’ve been volunteering as a blacksmith here since I was in 8th grade, so about 20 years now,” Delainey said while working in the shop Sunday.

He said he first became interested in the art as a youth after watching other blacksmiths giving demonstrations.

“I learned to do the same thing. Now I’m passing it on to the younger folk,” he said.

Delainey said he has been teaching his cousin Mitchell Delainey the art of blacksmithing, and Mitchell is apprenticing with him this year.

The Battleford Quilters group were also on hand during Those Were the Days. They showed the art of quilt-making and were busy working on a project Sunday.

The group first formed in 1974, and members create a new quilt each year that is donated to charity. Arlene Schwab has been with the group for about 20 years.

“My best friend talked me into this. Once you start you get hooked on it,” Schwab said. “It’s therapy for us; we really enjoy it.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW