More donations have poured into the Innisfail and District Historical Society for the restoration of the pioneer Sinclair home, which has increased optimism with board members that the structure will finally be moved to the village this year.
Two months ago the board feared hope was running out to secure funding for the restoration project but a large donation in January kept their dream alive. Today the society is close to its fundraising target. Plans are underway to prepare the site at the Innisfail and District Historical Village for the arrival of the 125-year-old historical home, the residence of Isabella (Bella) Sinclair, the first Caucasian female to settle in Central Alberta.
Lawrence Gould, treasurer of the society, said following the big $10,000 donation from Gerry and Rita Kemp in January, which left just $7,000 for the society to raise, another $1,500 in cash has been received, along with pledges of in-kind work and materials valued at about $4,000. He added the society is also working on acquiring additional in-kind pledges for lumber and shingles for the structure's badly-weathered roof.
The society needs a total of $34,000 to begin restoration, half of that already received from the province in 2016.
"We now have approval for a one-year (grant) extension of that $17,000," said Gould of the provincial grant that was secured last year but had a Feb. 17 deadline to match it with donations. "It's good to the 28th of February of 2018.
"We are ready. We can actually start," he added, noting the society is having its annual general meeting on March 1 when the progress of acquiring the Sinclair Home and beginning its restoration will be discussed.
"I think what we need is a project person that will take this on as a project manager, and that person would more likely be the one that would form a committee," he said, adding it would be a volunteer position, possibly internally from the board.
The long vacant pioneer home is now located on the Thomson family farm eight kilometres west of Innisfail. Family patriarch John Thomson, who at the age of 83 now resides in Innisfail, agreed about 18 months ago to pay for the cost of moving the house to the village.
He said last week that while there have been delays he is still willing to pay out of his own pocket to move the two-storey, 1,400-square-foot log structure to the historical village.
"I am quite willing to. I will do it anytime," said Thompson.
Gould said he believes the structure will "definitely" be moved to the village this year. Society officials have said in the past it's important to move the large pioneer home while the ground is still frozen hard from winter, which would save the grounds from possible damage.
"In a perfect world wouldn't Canada Day be nice," said Anna Lenters, president of the society, who has been instrumental for the past two years in trying to secure the Sinclair home for the village. "There is a lot more optimism too in terms of how the board is feeling and they are feeling more optimistic."
If any citizen or organization wants to make a cash or in-kind donation towards the restoration of the Sinclair home they can contact Gould at 403-227-1883 or Lenters at 403-865-3736.
Lawrence Gould, treasurer of the Innisfail and District Historical Society
"We are ready. We can actually start."
