Stirling Agricultural Village facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stirling Agricultural Village |
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Replica pioneer home and Bishop's Storehouse to the left
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| Type | Settlement |
| Etymology | John A. Stirling |
| Location | Village of Stirling, Alberta, Canada |
| Area | 2.64 km2 (1.02 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 935 m (3,068 ft) |
| Established | 1899 |
| Founder | -Theodore Brandley -LDS Church |
| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | Theodore Brandley |
| Architectural style(s) | -Plat of Zion -Victorian |
| Governing body | Stirling - Village Council |
| Important events | Stirling Settler Days |
| Website | Village of Stirling |
| Designated | 1997 |
Stirling Agricultural Village is a special place in Alberta, Canada. It was named a National Historic Site of Canada on June 22, 1989. This means it's a very important historical spot! It's recognized because it's the best example of a Mormon farming village that still looks like it did long ago.
Two popular museums are found here. The Michelsen Farmstead was once a busy farm and is now a restored museum. The Galt Historic Railway Park is another cool museum you can visit in Stirling.
Contents
Discovering Stirling's Past
The village of Stirling was started on May 5, 1899. It was founded by a person named Theodore Brandley. Stirling was one of two towns created through a partnership. This partnership was between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Charles A. Magrath. The village was named after John A. Stirling, who was a director of a company that owned shares in a railway company.
After arriving, Theodore Brandley quickly began planning the village. The town was designed in a special way. It was one square mile (about 2.6 square kilometers) and divided into large lots. Each lot was about 10 acres (40,000 square meters). There were roads and lanes to divide the land. This gave residents plenty of space for homes, barns, animal shelters, and big gardens.
Theodore planned the town using a design called the Plat of Zion. Stirling still follows this plan today. It is known as the best-preserved example of the Plat of Zion in Canada. This is why Stirling is called the Stirling Agricultural Village.
Fun Places to Visit
At the east entrance of Main Street, you'll find a new Information Kiosk. It looks like an old Victorian pioneer home. Inside, there are historical signs and a map. This map shows many interesting places to see in Stirling.
Museums to Explore
- Galt Historic Railway Park: This museum shows what life and travel were like in the 1880s. It's set up in a restored train station from 1890. This station was moved to Stirling in 2000.
- Michelsen Farmstead: This is a typical farm from the early 1900s in Stirling. The Stirling Historical Society takes care of it. It has been fully restored to look like it did in the 1930s.
- Bishop's storehouse: This building is also known as the Lord's storehouse.
Local Adventures
- Stirling Lions Club Fish Pond: This pond is filled with new fish every year for fishing fun.
- Prairie Cactus Mini Putts: This is a private miniature golf course. You can play by asking ahead of time.
- William T. Ogden House: This is a beautiful neo-classical style house. It's a Provincial Historic Site of Alberta. Around Halloween, the owners decorate this huge 7,000 square foot (650 square meter) house. They turn it into a live haunted house, making it the biggest one in southern Alberta.
- Lost Frontier Mini-Railway: This is a small train park. It's open for bookings from May to October. It's a very popular local attraction. The park is located on the grounds of the William T. Ogden Home and also has a petting zoo.
Exciting Events
- Victoria Day at the Galt Historic Railway Park (May 24): Visitors can take guided tours of the Galt train station. They can also build kites and join in other activities.
- Stirling Community Garage Sale (Saturday of Victoria Day weekend): This is a big garage sale held by the Stirling Historical Society.
- Lions Community BBQ (June): A community barbecue held at the Stirling Lions Hall.
- Stirling Settler Days (July): This event celebrates the founding of Stirling on May 5, 1899. It also marks the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.
- Stirling Fall Festival (September): Held at the Michelsen Farmstead each year. Visitors can learn to make rope, stick dolls, and dipped candles. There are also wagon rides and fun games for kids.
- Harvest Dance (October): An old-fashioned Barn dance held at the Michelsen Farmstead.
- Stirling Haunted Mansion (October): Located in the William Ogden House. It's known as the largest haunted house in Southern Alberta.
- Victorian Prairie Christmas (November): An old-fashioned Victorian Christmas party. It's held at the Galt Historic Railway Park Station.
- Lions Christmas Dinner (November): A community dinner with traditional home-cooked food.
- Santa Claus Mansion (December): Held at the William Ogden House. It's part of the village's Christmas lights tour.
- Christmas Lights tour (December): You can view amazing Christmas light displays put up by the citizens. This tour is held with the Santa Claus Mansion event.
Images for kids
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Replica pioneer home and Bishop's Storehouse to the left
