
Sam Platt, restoration expert and Mike Reynolds, facility donor, present a historical overview Sat. June 10 of the Creekside School, located decades ago northwest of Three Hills, Alta. Its fully restored teacherage is located at the Kneehill Museum in Three Hills. ECA Review/ D. Nadeau
Re-locating the 100-year-old Creekland School teacherage to the Kneehill Museum in Three Hills almost did not happen. However, it did on June 10, realizing Rosalie Lammle’s dream.
Several years ago Lammle started looking for an authentic 1900s-era teacherage to complement the restored school already in service at the museum. Just days before area farmer Mike Reynolds was about to dig a deep hole to bury a decrepit 1900s-era teacherage, there was a connection between “can we have it?” and “yes you can!”
Saturday’s Creekside teacherage ribbon-cutting highlighted the museum’s annual Pioneer Times Demonstration Day and gave tribute and appreciation, not only to donor Reynolds, but to lead restoration expert Sam Platt.
The two-year project, from acquisition, relocation, renovation and restoration cost $33,000.
Comparable in size to a modern tiny house, the comfortably equipped teacherage has period-accurate furniture such as a cot, wood heater/stove, chair, cupboard, bureau, bookshelf and desk.
But unlike a modern tiny house, the fresh-faced old structure continues its period-accurate portrayal—no toilet and no running water.
David Nadeau
ECA Review