Backgrounder:
Addison Sod House National Historic Site of Canada
KINDERSLEY, SASKATCHEWAN, OCTOBER 1ST, 2005 -- A Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the Addison Sod House near Kindersley, Saskatchewan, was unveiled today. The announcement was made by the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance.
"Many of the first settlers who arrived on the prairies did not have the necessary money or materials to build a wooden house," said Minister Dion. "Instead, they built the best shelter they could using the only building material they had at hand: sod. Without these remarkable sod houses, many early settlers would not have survived their first few years on the homestead."
"Addison Sod House is one of the few original sod houses that is still standing and is the only known sod house in Western Canada that is still inhabited," said Minister Goodale. "This resilient sod house is a testament to the kind of innovation that prairie society was founded on and continues to thrive on to this day."
Addison Sod House National Historic Site of Canada is being commemorated as a remarkably well-preserved and rare surviving example of a sod house. Sod houses were used extensively on the Canadian prairies as an inexpensive and relatively easy to build first shelter. Addison Sod House was built by James Addison between 1909 and 1911. Unlike other sod houses, which were basically temporary structures, Addison carefully designed his house so it would endure both the harsh prairie climate and the test of time. Over the years, modern amenities such as running water, electricity, and vinyl siding have been added to the house but the sod that was laid in the summer of 1909 remains an integral part of the house.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada's history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment(819) 997-1441
Cheryl Penny
Superintendent,Saskatchewan South Field Unit
Parks Canada
(306) 298-2257
