The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Qupperneq 6

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 61 #4
Editorial
In Keeping
by Lorna Tergesen
This magazine features much about
preserving our past with artifacts, architec-
ture and records. We, of Icelandic heritage
come from that long line of great record
keepers and so are trying to do our part in
preserving our past. There are so many
buildings that have been restored and
museums set up to do just that. I believe
that this all began in the early ‘70s but it
may have even been earlier. We have peti-
tioned our governments to designate cer-
tain buildings and sites as Heritage Sites. It
is interesting to now note how many per-
tain to our community and how varied
they are. There seem to be endless oppor-
tunities for capturing our history in one
way or another.
Wally Johannson has spear headed a
historical committee in the Gimli district
where he catalogues historical buildings.
Wally was also foremost in erecting the
cemetery monument to commemorate
those first pioneers who lost their lives to
small pox in the district of New Iceland.
Pat Eyolfson has written a complete sum-
mary of the events held in late May to open
up several new buildings in the Arborg
Heritage Village. Her dedication to this
endeavour cannot be measured. Kristjana
Magnusson Clark has shared with us her
thrill at being able to attend the weekend
and to relive so many warm memories of
her Arborg upbringing in the Sigvaldson
house and the community.
Arborg is actively building up their
Heritage Village under the leadership and
volunteer work of such as Pat Eyolfson.
They have managed to acquire some very
noteworthy buildings and artifacts. The
same can be said for so many other com-
munities such as Markerville, where great
efforts were made to restore their hall,
church and creamery. Visiting the Stephan
G. Stephansson house gives one a small
glimpse into the personalities of not only
the poet himself, but also that of his family.
Bellingham, Elfros and Kinmount have
erected meaningful monuments to honor
our forefathers. Many other markers and
monuments are scattered all over. Seattle
boasts of a wonderful museum which I
would love to visit. Icelandic State Park in
North Dakota is a showcase of both beau-
tifully restored buildings and an excellent
museum in a park setting. Hecla has
brought back the vision of its past commu-
nity. Riverton is working on refurbishing
its railway station and all means of trans-
portation used in previous days. Selkirk
has the Marine Museum located on the Red
River, which this year has suffered great
loss both by flood and vandalism.
All of these sites boast of strong volun-
teers who foresaw the need to keep the
story alive.. These are very important lega-
cies that need to be maintained and protect-
ed. The opportunity to use these sites for
educational purposes are boundless.
Encourage your family and friends to take
full advantage of these historical and educa-
tional sites. So many interesting stories can
be told and retold with these visits. My
experience in giving our younger genera-
tions an opportunity to both visit these
sites or just be told the tales of past life are
always very well received. Very often,
what is obvious to the older generations, is
news to them. So go spread the word.
Visit the sites that have been erected and
are maintained for our benefit. We will all
be richer for it.