The historic Doukhobor Dugout House site along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River near Blaine Lake is gearing up to welcome visitors this summer.
“We open July 3,” said Brenda Cheveldayoff. “We’re very excited to once again have people visiting the site. Last year was tough on everyone because of the pandemic restrictions.
“But we’ve adapted and made some big changes. I think people will be surprised and excited to see what we have to offer.”
Cheveldayoff said this year the site is offering self-guided tours, so people can visit the different areas at their leisure.
“When they arrive, they’ll be provided with a brochure and a colour-coded map, so they can learn about the historic significance of each location at their own pace.”
In past years, the site has staged re-enactments at designated times. That’s not in the cards this year because of the requirements for physical distancing and restrictions on crowd sizes. The self-guided tours provide a good solution, said Cheveldayoff.
But one of the most noticeable improvements is the addition of a large patio adjoining the Doukhobor Prayer Home, where folks can relax and take in a panoramic view of the scenic river valley.
“There’s lots of room for social distancing,” said Cheveldayoff. “When they come into the building, which is a museum, they must wear a mask, but they can get tasty treats and drinks. The doors on the other end of the building open up onto the patio.”
Cheveldayoff said the Doukhobor Dugout House group’s fundraising last year through the sale of Doukhobor bread raised enough money to rebuild the roof of the prayer home. This year, Doukhobor bread sales will be used to cover the cost of painting the exterior walls of the prayer home. The first day for pickup of Doukhobor bread online sales is June 5.
This year the site is also introducing electronic payments through online e-transfers and an on-site debit machine. In the past, payment has always been in cash. The new electronic payments make it much more convenient for visitors, said Cheveldayoff.
“There’s also a new website being launched this month for the Doukhobor Dugout House,” she said. “It’s much more attractive and informative.”
It will also be easier to find the site, she noted.
“The Ministry of Highways installed new signage at the Petrofka Bridge and also along Highway 12 as you approach the turnoff for the site,” she said. “In the past, it was a bit confusing for some people. The new signs will make a big difference. You shouldn’t get lost now.”
The Doukhobor Dugout House site is located on land that was homesteaded by Cheveldayoff’s ancestors at the beginning of the 20th century. She has spearheaded the effort to preserve the historic site, where Doukhobor settlers built dugout homes into the riverbank ravines to survive their first few winters after immigrating to Saskatchewan, in memory of her father, Sam James Popoff, a history buff who passed his knowledge and recollections on to her.
Her great-grandfather, Iakov Fedor Popoff (Jim Fred) was an 11-year-old orphan who lived with 40 others in the 436-square-foot dugout built the year the Doukhobors arrived in Canada. It became the Popoff homestead in 1925.
The dugout house was built in the style of houses in the Caucasus mountains of Russia, where the Doukhobors originated.
The dugout houses were used until 1904 when log houses were built and a village established nearby, it remains a witness to the tenacity of the settlers. It tells a dramatic, compelling tale from the heart of prairie Doukhobor culture.
This historic site was chosen for scholarly study, as a unique combination of built heritage and natural history. An archeological dig was done in 2004 and the site was developed in the years following the excavations.
Additional information is available online at www.doukhobordugouthouse.com