In its day, the country elevator represented the peak of efficiency in grain handling. It took only one man to receive, weigh, grade, store, mix and clean tonnes of grain. The same person could single-handedly move the grain from the tall storage bins into grain cars sitting on the railway track that ran alongside the elevator. And while help was common during busy periods, one person could also position the grain cars under the loading spout using a winch and tow rope. Before that advance, a long handled lever was used to nudge forward one of the steel wheels on the grain car.
Transportation of wheat and the growing and marketing of grain are themes the museum focuses upon in its displays, artifacts and interpretive efforts. Extensive renovations inside the adjacent elevator annex turned the former grain storage area into three floors of display space that includes a craft shop.
With so many of these “crib-style” elevators being demolished and replaces with far fewer and much larger inland terminals, the old country grain elevator is sure to become a ever greater curiosity as time goes by. The economic development of the province and roots for many prairie families stem from these grain elevators and the industry they represent.
Event details
- Date: Thursday July 17,2014
- Location: Hepburn, Saskatchewan
- Times: 1300 – 1600 (1 p.m. – 4p.m.) Log book available during full period
- Activities: Self Guided tour with activity sheet. All sheets must be submitted by 4 p.m. in order to qualify for prize draws.
This is a come and go event. However, give yourself at least an hour to go through the museum in order to complete the activity sheet.
Join us on July 19, 2014 and experience Saskatchewan like you’ve never known. It’s not just the flat, boring prairie we’re famous for. Enjoy a warm welcome, incredible caching trails, rich history and beautiful scenery. We’ll bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised! |