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Markerville historic society gets funding help

Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society gets $125,000 from Red Deer County to buy historic home
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A Markerville historical society’s latest project was given a big boost by Red Deer County.

Council approved $125,000 this week to help the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society buy a historic home near the community’s famous creamery. The money will come from a municipal reserve fund.

Built in 1913, the house was used by buttermaker W.H. Jackson and his family. As buttermaker, Jackson won many Canadian awards.

He left in 1922 and the house was used by a number of other people who went on to become prominent community builders.

Markerville attracts 12,000 visitors a year and the house is expected to fit in well with the community’s historic nature.

“The addition of the buttermaker house would further enhance this already established tourist destination,” says the society in its funding request.

The society is applying for provincial historic designation for the home, which provides access to up to $100,000 in provincial funding. A municipal historic resource designation will also be sought.

“I totally support this,” said Coun. Christine Moore. “I think (the creamery) is a real treasure in our county.”

Mayor Jim Wood said the project is an example of government and the community working together.

“As a government we can help with some money, but we don’t do it if we don’t have the community behind us,” he said.