‘Iconic part of prairie landscape’: St. Albert historic sites reopen for spring/summer season

The public can once again visit St. Albert's historic grain elevator and river lots and learn about the city's history.

Two heritage sites in St. Albert are open to the public once more as the weather turns warmer.

Christina Hardie, the public programs and heritage sites manager for the St. Albert Historic River Lots and Grain Elevators, hopes Edmontonians looking to conserve gas this summer might consider exploring an “iconic part of the prairie landscape.”

Only a couple dozen grain elevators remain of what used to be thousands across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

“We’re really lucky here in St. Albert to have two of our original grain elevators in their original location … It really speaks to what a rich agricultural community we are, and people were farming in this area before the grain elevators were built. St. Albert is a historic Métis settlement,” she said Saturday.

Public tours explore the city’s Métis and Francophone cultural contributions to the land and the historic houses on the property.

Admission is free and offers kid-friendly activities like an outdoor scavenger hunt, colouring sheets, a play area and crafts – like making your own clothespin doll.

The Father Lacombe Chapel and Mission Hill, a provincial historic site featuring historic bells, a grotto and cemetery, also opened on Saturday.

Both sites are open Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.