Dedication of new wing at Red Deer and District Museum, 1984: Spotlight on Medicine Valley Estonians
This article was prepared by Nurmi Simm, President of the Edmonton Estonian Society and distributed to Estonian newspapers in Toronto. The dedication of the Museum’s new Pioneer’s Gallery was an important occasion, especially for Alberta’s Estonian community. Under the leadership of Dr. Rita Matiisen, an impressive display of Estonian folk costumes, descriptive materials, and artifacts was assembled and unveiled during the official dedication of the Pioneer’s Gallery. This exhibit was on display for 15 years and represented public recognition of Medicine Valleys’ Estonian heritage
On Sunday, May 27, 1984, Estonians from Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary, and other communities gathered in Red Deer to participate in the Official Opening of the Pioneer’s Gallery of the Red Deer and District Museum. On prominent display in the new wing is a collection of Estonian national costumes and historic artifacts. This permanent exhibit commemorates the Estonian pioneers who settled in the Medicine Valley of central Alberta near the turn of the 20th century.
The speaker’s platform at the opening included a number of local dignitaries, among them the Mayor of Red Deer and the provincial MLA for Red Deer. Also present was the Honorable Mr. John Munro, the Minister of Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. An overflow crowd of 600 people attended the launching.
The Estonian exhibit was made possible by the support of the Medicine Valley Estonian Society, and organized by Dr. Rita Matiisen of Red Deer. She is also a member of the Red Deer and District Museum Society. With the assistance of the local Estonian community, the folk costumes and artifacts of the early pioneers were assembled for the exhibit. The display items are the final contribution to the community at large by the now disbanded Medicine Valley Estonian Society. The display preserves the memory and achievements of early Estonian pioneers who first settled this area.
The display features three mannequins in festive national costumes. Although the majority of the Medicine Valley settlers came from Võrumaa region of Estonia, the costumes were chosen to depict a variety of regions: Vaivara (Virumaa), Mustjala ( Saaremaa) and Tõstamaa (Pärnumaa). The costumes and some articles were hand-made by Toronto craftspeople under the coordination of Mrs. Lilla Tombak. Authentic artifacts include a 1884 family Bible, a hand-made school bench from the Estonian School, built in 1909-1910 in Medicine Valley area, and a handmade silver brooch. A modern replica of Estonian hope chest, richly carved with traditional folk designs, by Galina Kodu of Calgary, was also prominently featured. A number of smaller items rounded out the display. The exhibit backdrop included an original woollen Estonian flag, photographs from Estonia, and a map showing the location of Estonia in Europe. The map of original Estonian homesteads in Medicine Valley, displayed on the left side of the exhibit, was researched and drawn by the late Voldemar Matiisen, Rita’s husband.
The establishment of this permanent display of Estonian culture is an important event for the people of Alberta and Canada, and especially for Canadians of Estonian descent. Preservation of the Estonian heritage in this Museum recognizes the prominent part played by Estonian pioneers and immigrants in Alberta. The prominence once enjoyed by Estonians in this part of the country has diminished, but their contributions have helped to lay a sound foundation for our future.
Following the official ceremony and reception, about 50 Estonians and friends gathered at the Red Deer home of Dr. Rita Matiisen. A gala note was added to the gathering because it marked a slightly belated celebration of Rita’s 75 th birthday. The gathering gave Estonians from many parts of Alberta an opportunity to meet and mingle, and to celebrate the success of the exhibit. It was the unanimous conviction of those present that Dr. Matiisen deserves much credit for her leadership to preserve Alberta’s Estonian cultural heritage. (In November 1984, Dr. Matiisen received the Alberta Achievement Award in recognition of Community Service).
The Estonian display lasted for 15 years and was visited by tens of thousands of Albertans and Canadians. The research carried out by the Matiisen’s also provided considerable local history material for the major 1975 publication ‘Estonians in Canada’. This publication serves as an excellent resource for our “History of Alberta Estonians” DVD and website projects.
The article and pictures were made available by Eda McClung from her family collection.
