Edmonton Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Edmonton is the fifth-largest city in Canada, with a population of nearly one million residents. The city stands on Treaty 6 Territory, a traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including the Cree, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Salteaux, and the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot). European immigrants looking for a new life and land of their own journeyed to Canada. In the year 1892, many immigrants from Ukrania made the trek to western Canada and settled in what is now Edmonton.
Spend a day traveling back in time to experience life of the early Ukrainian settlers at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. This living open-air museum depicts early settlement life from the period of 1892 – 1930. It was the largest Ukrainian settlement outside of the Ukraine. Discover how these settlers made a significant impact on eastern Edmonton and Alberta.
Costumed interpreters, who stay in character( as much as possible), show and tell the stories and struggles the settlers faced and had to overcome. The village has over 40 restored historic buildings providing a rich historical experience. The buildings were moved, researched, restored, and furnished with period pieces that give visitors an authentic experience.
The village has a strong commitment to authentically representing the community. The interpreters try to keep in character and answer all questions as if it is the year their building portrays. The museum is divided into different themed areas that include, Overview, Farmlands, Rural Communities, and Town sites.
The Overview introduces the early Galician and Bukovynian immigration with three settler family homes. Iwan Pylypow was one of the individuals who encouraged the mass migration of Ukrainians to western Canada. He was from Galicia, and one of his early houses is on display in the village.
The Farmsteads shows different farmyards from different eras from 1892- 1925. The Township Survey from 1892 shows the marked corner of a Township with 160 plots of farming land. Ther are examples of Burdei, which were temporary shelters that were dug into the side of a hill or dug out of the ground and were common on the earliest farms. The settlers began constructing houses, barns, and a granary for storing surplus grains. The settlement grew with more homes, pigsty, and chicken coops.
The Rural community reflects the time period of 1925-1930. By this time, the settlement has become more of a town with a grocery store, post office, and community centre. The Ukrainian settlers built the St. Nicholas Russo-Greek Orthodox Church in 1908. A sawmill was added in 1927 and
a Russia School was built in 1926.
The townsite, which shows the time of 1925-1930, is growing and thriving with the addition of a general store, a hardware store, a pool hall, and a livery barn. The first Alberta Provincial Police Post was built in 1913, and the Canadian Railway Station came to town in 1923. The town also added a woodworking shop, A blacksmith shop, a grain elevator, and a lumber company. At this time, the Hilliard Hotel and the United Merchants of Alberta General store opened, and settlers established a Market Square, Telephone Exchange, and a Municipal District office.
History is brought to life when you spend the day in the village. Stop in and see how to shoe a horse with the blacksmith, get some gardening advice, visit a pioneer kitchen for some wholesome bread baking tips and find out how a grain elevator works. It is sure to be a relaxing, fun, and educational day. No visit would be complete without a stop at the concession stand with its home-made, mouth-watering Ukrainian snacks. The only thing missing is a full sit-down authentic Ukrainian restaurant.
Check out the Edmonton K-Days Festival which is in Edmonton AB too.
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