Historical Society moves past into present
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Jun 01/01) - For a handful of people, the Fort Simpson Historical Society has made great gains.
Since its inception 11 years ago, the group has comprised only half a dozen members at any given time. Yet the society has managed to raise more than $100,000, acquired the rights to some historic property in Fort Simpson and restored one of the community's oldest residences.
The members of the Historical Society welcomed the public to McPherson House on Saturday for an art exhibit. The walls of the log building, built by George McPherson with local help in 1936, were lined with photographs taken in Fort Simpson in the early to mid 20th century.
The photos complemented the antique furniture, the old-fashioned stove and the wooden, hand-operated clothes washer on site.
"It's beginning to wear the colours that we had always hoped it would wear," said Historical Society member Stephen Rowan. "It's a period piece ... it's genuinely a part of Fort Simpson's heritage."
Rowan was quick to point out that there have been many helping hands behind the scenes. People like Morris Lafferty, Leo Norwegian and Nick Sibbeston have supplied a wealth of information, he said.
Ray Tondell refurbished the time-worn clothes washer and constructed the wooden picture frames that displayed the photos in the exhibit.
Kirby Groat has made one of many donations to the Historical Society, dropping off a weathered dolly made of splitting wood and cast iron. Rowan surmises that it was used to unload barrels decades ago.
The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have also chipped in with contributions.
Youth from the Deh Cho Friendship Centre have volunteered a great deal of labour; spreading gravel, cutting the grass and the like.
"We've been very fortunate with getting help from people," Rowan said.
The Historical Society isn't about to rest on its laurels. Future plans include moving the Catholic rectory, Fort Simpson's oldest building (dating back to 1911), to the same site as McPherson House.
"We're actively working very hard," said Rowan. "I think it would be a very worthwhile thing to have a heritage building like that."
