The Seed of History to Museum
How projects begin…One day Ocie Noble said to Margie Sorenson , “Why don’t you “guys” write a History Book for the Dixonville area?” The seed was planted and projects that grew beyond anyone’s expectations began.
As the records of the strength, determination and cooperation to develop homes, farms, businesses and communities were gathered, a deep respect and admiration for our history followed. We learned, we gleaned and we remembered. “Ten Dollars and A Dream” was published.
Smith’s Sawmills donated a building to start a Senior Citizen’s Centre. Under the direction of Bill Anderson and Harry Beebe the whole community came together again to renovate and build. The Ladies Aid, always feeding the hard workers and raising money, asked the question “What is going to happen to Mac’s old store?”
Harvey Napper had built a one room store in 1930, sold it to Duncan McLeod in 1931. Duncan , known as Mac, operated this unique store until his death in 1955. Iky Sumwalt ran the store for a short while and then sold it to Jim Banks who later sold it to John Davis as a living quarters. John leased the building and property in 1974 to L.I.F.E, now the Agriculture Society. I t was decided to keep it. In 1976 the building was restored to a certain degree through a LIP program. Students under the supervision of Gordon Pritchett put in a new floor and roof. In 1978 display cases were constructed through the Young Canada Works Project. In the summer of 1979, the building was set up as the Dixonville Museum and was open to the public during the Dixonville 50th Anniversary.
Thanks to L.I.F.E. the Seniors and countless volunteers it was decided, in order to preserve one of the first log buildings in Dixonville Hamlet and artifacts of the community settlement, the building had to be moved to its present location. It was officially opened again October 26, 1985.
Names of all the dedicated volunteers are too many to record without missing some. However mention must be made of Kathy Hoskins Hunt who helped set up a record keeping system of the donations, Mrs. Josephine Hitz for keeping the project going. Thanks go out to Mrs. Dorhety Dodgson, Mrs. Ileen Evans, Mrs. Dibble, Mrs. Holden, Mr and Mrs. Pullin, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen, Mr. and Mrs. Beebe, Jim Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons, Mrs. Wevik, Mr. and Mrs. Kristensen, the Todd family, the Chambers family, Marion Thomas, the Dixonville School, our Veterans, visitors and so many more for their work and donations.
Now thanks to L.I.F.E. , the Seniors Centre, the County of Northern Lights, Rhonda Warren and Margie Sorensen, the “Smallest Museum in the World” (we think) is open every summer and enjoyed by locals and visitors from all over the world.
A small seed planted continues to grow.