Michener House Museum and Archives facts for kids
The Michener House Museum is a special old house in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It is looked after by the Lacombe and District Historical Society. This house is famous because it's the birthplace of Roland Michener. He was a very important person who became the Governor General! The Michener House Museum is also the oldest house still standing in the city of Lacombe.
Contents
A Look Back: The Michener House Story
Building a Home for Ministers
The Michener House was built in 1894 by the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a "manse," which means it was a home for the church's minister and their family. Lacombe's first Methodist minister, E.J. Chegwin, and the church members helped build it. The house looks like many other wooden homes built in North America around that time.
In 1918, the church added more space to the back of the house. This made it bigger and more comfortable for the people living there.
Ministers Who Lived Here
Many Methodist ministers lived in the Michener House when it was a manse. Here are some of them:
- E.J. Chegwin: 1893-1899
- Edward Michener: 1899-1900
- H.G. Cairns: 1901
- Wilkin Bryon Chegwin: 1902
- Arthur A. Barner: 1903-1905
- Herbert Everitt Gordon: 1905-1908
- Thomas Powell: 1908-1911
- F.W. Locke: 1911-1913
- E.T. Scragg: 1913-1916
- William Hollingsworth: 1916-1921
- J.G. Rogers: 1921-1922
From Church Home to Museum
In March 1922, the Grace Methodist Church joined with the St. Andrew's Presbyterian church. They formed a new church called the St. Andrew's United Church. The Michener House was sold that same year. It became a private home for many years, until 1971.
In 1971, a group called the Maski-Pitoon Historical Society bought the house. This group is now known as the Lacombe & District Historical Society. They wanted to save the building because it was so old and important. The original Grace Methodist Church building was taken down in 1984.
After many years of hard work, the Michener House Museum officially opened its doors. This happened on May 25, 1984. Now, everyone can visit and learn about its history!
The Michener Family Story
The Right Honourable Roland Michener's father, Mr. Edward Michener, came from Almonte, Ontario. He became a minister and first worked in Banff, Alberta. Then, in 1899, he moved to Lacombe.
Inside the house, in the parlour, you can see four paintings. Roland's mother, Mrs. Mary Michener, painted them. They show beautiful nature scenes from when the family lived in Banff. They also show places near Ottawa and Gatineau.
Even though Roland Michener was born in this house, his family moved to Red Deer soon after he was born. The Michener family grew to have nine children, and Roland was the second oldest.
After moving to Red Deer, Mr. Edward Michener became involved in local government. He became an important political leader in Alberta. In 1904, he was elected mayor of Red Deer. Later, in 1918, he was chosen to be part of the Senate of Canada.
Roland Michener: A Life of Service
The Right Honourable Roland Michener was Canada's Governor General from 1967 to 1974. During this time, Lester B. Pearson and Pierre E. Trudeau were Prime Ministers.
Upstairs in the Michener House, you can see items from Roland Michener's life. Many of these things were given by Michener himself. They show his life as a smart student, an athlete, and a politician.
Roland Michener was inspired by his father's work in politics. He wanted to help with public affairs too. He finished school in Red Deer and then went to the University of Alberta in Edmonton. This university is Alberta's oldest, teaching students since 1908.
Between his second and third years of university, Roland Michener joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). When he returned, he graduated with high marks in May 1920. After that, he received a special scholarship called a Rhodes Scholarship. This allowed him to study law at Oxford in England, along with Lester B. Pearson.
When he came back to Canada, Michener started his own law firm in Alberta. He then became involved in politics. He served as the High Commissioner to Nepal and India. Later, he became the Speaker of the House in the House of Commons of Canada. He said this was his favourite job!
Roland Michener was a very active person who loved to jog. In 1979, he even climbed Mount Michener. He passed away on August 8, 1991, when he was 91 years old.
Special Recognitions
The Michener House has received special recognition for its history.
On June 28, 1977, it was named a Provincial Historic Resource. This means it's an important historical place for the whole province of Alberta.
Then, on September 24, 2016, the City of Lacombe officially named it a Municipal Historic Resource. This means it's also an important historical place for the city.
The Michener House Museum, along with the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum, is also recognized by the Alberta Museums Association.
