The Bell Barn Society has rolled out an Eductional Program for Teachers suitable for Divisions One & Two.
We greatly appreciate the financial and in-kind contributions that people and agencies have made and continue to make the Bell Barn Project Possible. Please make your donations to:
Bell Barn Society of Indian Head
P.O. Box 1882
Indian Head, Saskatchewan
S0G 2K0
Charitable Registration Number
83482 0524 RR000
Bell Barn Progress Reports
The Bell Barn Society of Indian Head was founded in August 2006 to oversee the development of the Bell Barn as a key heritage attraction in southern Saskatchewan. Due to the deteriorated condition of the barn, the structure was dismantled in April 2008 and was reconstructed on another portion of the original Bell Farm yard somewhat north of the original location. All of the salvaged stones have been reused in the reconstruction, which replicates the 1882 appearance of the Barn.
On this portion of our web site, you will able be able to check out the reconstruction during 2009 and 2010, as well as news on other events and activities of the Society.
Public Lecture on the Bell Farm held at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum
Frank Korvemaker, former Chair of the Bell Barn Society, presented an illustrated lecture on the Bell Farm on February 17th. The first half of the hour-long presentation discussed the fascinating history of the Bell Farm and its key proponent and investor - Major William Bell. During the second part, Frank reviewed the Bell Barn Project which saw the dismantling and reconstruction of the Bell Barn between 2006 and 2010. This public lecture was hosted by Heritage Regina. For further information about Heritage Regina's programmes and activities, contact Dr. Bill Brennan at: 585-4214 or william.brennan@uregina.ca
(Photo below by Dan Loran).
First of Many Olde Tyme Barn Dances Held in the Loft of the Bell Barn
The magnificent wooden loft of the reconstructed Bell Barn was the site for a really good foot-stompin olde tyme barn dance on October 2, 2010. The original loft was used to store tons of hay for the horses stabled below; now it was the scene for 125 people who could dance to their heart's content. Moving to the music of Ken Runge and Friends of Edenwold, no one seemed to want to quit dancing - so that was a good sign. Proceeds of about $2,500 will go towards paying off the remainder of the Bell Barn reconstruction costs. More Barn Dances are planned for next year.
(Photos below by Dan Loran and Kay Dixon ).
The Society's treasurer, Vivian McCall (right), was ready to sell tickets and receive payments for the Barn Dance.
Ken Runge and Friends of Edenwold played from the centre of the loft, and provided great entertainment for the occasion.
Dancers moved around the loft, between the seated guests and the entertainers.
It may have been a bit crowded, but a good time was had by all.
Midway through the evening, a very welcome refreshment break.
The desserts were fabulous. - a great way to top off the evening.
Then one more round of dancing to wear off those calories and close off a perfect evening.
Grand Opening was a Grand Success
The Grand Opening of the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre took place on July 24, 2010. Over 700 people attend the event, which included speeches by various dignitaries, wagon rides compliments of the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site, and the attendance of 21 members of the illustrious Bell family, who travelled here from various communities across Canada.
Revenues from sales at the Grand Opening and from the Dinner-Auction held later that day at the Indian Head Memorial Hall exceeded $60,000.
More photos of the Grand Opening can be seen on the PICTURES page of our website.(Photos below by Dan Loran; aerial photos by Cliff Paddington ).
General view of the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre site from the northeast.
View looking west at the Bell Barn interpretive Centre, with a crop of canola growing in the background.
Aerial view of the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre as visitors arrive for the Grand Opening.
Master of Ceremonies Ken MacDonald welcomes visitors to the Grand Opening ceremony.
With the cutting of the rope, the Bell Barn is officially open for business.
Visitors enter the Bell Barn after the Grand Opening ceremonies have concluded.
Visitors read some of the display panels inside the reconstructed Bell Barn.
Wagon rides around the site provide an interesting diversion from the business of the Grand Opening ceremony.
Twenty-one descendants of Major William and Catherine Bell came from across Canada to witness and participate in the Grand Opening of the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre.
SaskTel Pioneers donate Historic Telephone and $15,000 to create a special Telecommunications Display at the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre
On July 14, 2010 Verna Williamson, Manager of Community Relations at SaskTel, presented three cheques for $5,000 each to Frank Korvemaker, Chair of the Bell Barn Society to pay for the development of a telecommunications display at the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre. These donations were provided by the H.A.D. Allen Club, the Prairie Council Club, and Chapter 59 of the SaskTel Pioneers. In addition, Verna located a late 19th century telephone in Swift Current, and this too was donated to the Society. That telephone was identical to the model that Major Bell installed at the Bell Farm in 1884.(Photo by Jerry Willerth)
Telephones like this were used by Major Bell to communicate with his foremen who lived throughout the Bell Farm in 1884.
The telecommunications display at the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre was funded with assistance from the SaskTel Pioneers.
Royal Bank donates $10,000 to the Bell Barn Project
The Royal Bank of Canada, through its RBC Foundation, has contributed $10,000 to the Bell Barn Society in order to complete reconstruction of the historic Bell Barn. The cheque presentation was made during the Community Business Dinner, held at the Grand Avenue Inn on May 8, 2010.(Photo by Dan Loran)
Community Business Dinner hosted at the Grand Avenue Inn on May 8, 2010
The fundraising Community Business Dinner held at the Grand Avenue Inn provided an opportunity for the Bell Barn Society to meet with business people from the Indian Head region and report on the Project's progress and ongoing needs.
Dinner at the Grand Avenue Inn was enjoyed by a large selection of people from Indian Head and the surrounding area. The dinner raised $1,435 for the Bell Barn Project.(Photos by: Dan Loran)
Bell Barn Interpretive Centre's Grand Opening slated for July 24, 2010
The Bell Barn Society of Indian Head has announced that the Grand Opening of the reconstructed historic Bell Barn will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010. The 14-foot high round stone wall was completed by Gracom Masonry in October 2009 and work on the wooden loft and cone-shaped roof has progressed throughout the winter and spring of 2010 by Hahn Contracting. Modern washroom and maintenance facilities have been installed in a replica of one of the 1882 hip-roofed farm cottages. A selection of interpretive displays telling the stories associated with the the Bell Farm (lower photo) are being created by Beauchesne and Company. Landscaping similar to what appears in the artist's drawing above, will be initiated as soon as possible in the spring, and will continue over the next few years. (Drawing Credit:Liquid Light 3-D Design Ltd.; Photo Credits:Dan Loran and Frank Korvemaker)
Farm Credit Canada Contributes $25,000 towards the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre
In celebration of Farm Credit Canada's 50th anniversary, FCC provided a $25,000 donation to the Bell Barn Society of Indian Head to assist with construction of the Bell Barn Interpretive Centre. The announcement was fittingly made in the gymnasium of Indian Head Elementary School, as the reconstructed Bell Barn will be regularly used by students visiting the site. Here they will learn about the important role that the Bell Farm played in the development of agriculture in Western Canada, and how the lessons learned here were key to successful dryland farming during the past century. Michael Hoffort (right), Vice President of Operations, presented the cheque to Maurice Delage, Chair of the Society's Fundraising Committee. (Photo Credit:Dan Loran)For more information see: FCC - Bell Barn News Release 
Last Stone Laying Ceremony Marks Completion of Bell Barn Stone Wall Reconstruction
A group of about 30 people gathered at the Bell Barn site on September 23, 2009 to witness the formal completion of the the stone wall reconstruction, and to thank the Gracom Masonry crew for a job well done and ahead of schedule. Good weather for much of the past two months enabled the nine person crew to complete the work without any concern about or delays due to frost. Among those present were the Hon. Lynda Haverstock, Honorary Patron of the Bell Barn Society, Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu'Appelle Constituency, and Jennifer Banning, representing Western Economic Diversification Canada. (Photo Credit:Dayle Bowman)
Provincial Government Commits $100,000 to Reconstruction of the Historic Bell Barn
On August 25, 2009, three provincial cabinet ministers came to the site of the original Bell Farmyard, where the Bell Barn is bring rebuilt, to announce that the Province of Saskatchewan is investing in this unique community venture to preserve and promote our agricultural heritage. The Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport committed $50,000, as did the Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minster of Agriculture. In addition, the Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Health and MLA for Qu'Appelle-Milestone, spoke of the importance of preserving our agricultural heritage. While the announcement was being made, stonemasons from Gracom masonry were busy in the background rebuilding the stone wall, already eight feet high. Gracom supervisor Burleigh Hill noted that few stonemasonsever have the opportunity to work on such an historic structure. Fundraising Chairperson, Maurice Delage, spoke of the future use of the reconstructed Bell Barn as an interpretive centre where various stories about the Bell Farm will be told, including: the history of the Farm, the establishment of Saskatchewan's first corporate farm, the life of Major W.R. Bell, the role of the Bell Farm in the North West Conflict of 1885, the development of Saskatchewan first rural telephone system, Saskatchewan's first stone masonry construction, and other topics. In the photo below, MP Andrew Scheer (far left), discusses the Bell Barn Project with Ministers Bob Bjornerud, Don McMorris and Dustin Duncan. Each was presented with a copy of a photo of the Bell Barn taken by William Notman in 1884. (Credit: Frank Korvemaker)
Reconstruction of the Historic Bell Barn Gets Underway
Gracom Masonry of Regina, has moved its stonemasonry crew onto the new Bell Barn site just north of Indian Head and started rebuilding the 127 year-old Bell Barn on July 30, 2009. All of the stones salvaged from the original structure will be used in the reconstruction, along with some stones from the region to make up for any shortfall. This part of the Bell Barn Project will be completed in late September or early October. As you drive by on Highway 56, check out the progress, which will change on almost a daily basis.(Credit:first photo. 30 July - Thor Johnson; second photo - Dan Loran) More photos of this activity are available on the PICTURES link of our website, then scroll down to "Recent Photos: 2006 - Present".
Laying of the First Stones Ceremony
On Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., there was a re-enactment of an event that originally occurred in August 1882 - the laying of the first stone for the Bell Farm round stone barn. The ceremony took place on-site-about one mile north of Indian Head, on the west side of Highway 56. Actual reconstruction of the two-foot thick, 14-foot high stone wall is being done by Gracom Masonry of Regina. Members and supporters of the Bell Barn Society of Indian Head participated in the official Laying of the First Stones. When completed in 2010, the exterior of the Bell Barn will again look as it did from 1882 until the 1920s, when this horse barn was converted into a cattle barn. The black and white photo below shows the barn as it was in 1883, and following colour photo as it will appear in 2010.(Credit:Sask. ArchivesR-A4900-2; and Liquid Light 3 D Graphics Inc.) Vivian McCall and Kay Dixon lay their stones in the first photo below. (Credit:Bill Armstrong) More photos of this activity are available on the PICTURES link of our website, then scroll down to "Recent Photos: 2006 - Present".
Government of Canada Contributes $700,000 to the Bell Barn Project
The Bell Barn Society's third annual dinner-auction was held on Friday, July 17, 2009 at the Memorial Hall in Indian Head. Unquestionably the key note of the evening, which was attended by about 250 people, was the announcement by Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu'Appelle and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, that Western Diversification Canada would contribute $700,000 from its Community Adjustment Fund towards reconstruction of the Bell Barn. This puts the total funds raised to date to over $1 million, and ensures that reconstruction of the historic Bell Barn will be completed within the next year. Further details on the dinner-auction program and revenues will be released shortly. Photo Below: (L-R) Fundraising Chair Maurice Delage, MP Andrew Scheer and Bruce Olesen, MC for the evening.(Credit: Jean Collins - Western Economic Diversification Canada). More photos of this activity are available on the PICTURES link of our website, then scroll down to "Recent Photos: 2006 - Present".
Regina Male Voice Choir Returns to Indian Head
The Bell Barn Society of Indian Head presented in concert the Regina Male Voice Choir on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 pm in the historic Nite Hawk Theatre on Grand Avenue in Indian Head. The Choir, founded in 1911, performed a wide variety of music from folk songs, traditional numbers, sacred music and selections from Broadway Musicals. The concert also included local performers: winners from the recent Mainline Music Festival. Profits from the concert were shared with the Choir and the Bell Barn Society. A predecessor, the Regina Philharmonic Society, exchanged performances with the Indian Head Philharmonic Society in 1906-08.
Society's Annual General Meeting - Wednesday, 22 April 2009
The second Annual General Meeting of the Society was held in the basement of the Saskatchewan Rural Sports Hall of Fame,405 Dewdney Street, Indian Head. Members and visitors enjoyed a review of the past year's accomplishments, and a look at the work proposed to be undertaken in 2009. A copy of the annual report presented at the meeting can be seen by clicking on this link: Annual Report - April 2009 . The image above is of the cover of the Bell Farm's Annual Report to shareholders in January 1884, and is reproduced on the back cover of the Society's Annual Reports.
Gary Fjellgaard, Saskia and Darrel Perform at Indian Head to Support the Bell Barn Project
Juno Award winner and CCMA Hall-of-Famer Gary Fjellgaard performed at the Nite Hawk Theatre in Indian Head on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. This fundraising program provided excellent entertainment and helped increase the revenues of the Bell Barn Project for the upcoming reconstruction work.
Bell Family Donates Original Historic Documents
On August 19, 2008, the granddaughter of Major W.R. Bell - Libby (Bell) MacAulay - donated a selection of original documents to the Society, including the 1884-95 Bell Farm Visitors' Register, various media articles and several photographs of Major Bell. These documents will ultimately be transferred to the Saskatchewan Archives Board. Photo Below: Libby MacAulay presents Visitors' Register to Frank Korvemaker. For a report on the Visitors' Register, see: The Bell Farm Visitors Register 1884-95 , or see the original pages in the HISTORY page of this website.
James Richardson International (Pioneer Grain) Contributes $50,000 to Bell Barn Project and Issues Challenge to Competitors
Pioneer Grain has contributed a minimum of $50,000 to the Bell Barn Project. This brings the total revenue for the Project to well over $300,000.
Construction on the New Bell Barn Foundation Gets Underway
To prevent the reconstructed barn from suffering the movement that caused the original structure to deteriorate and collapse, concrete piles and a slab foundation will be installed during the summer. (Credit: Dayle Bowman)
Second Annual Fundraising Dinner-Auction A Successful Venture for Bell Barn Society
This fundraising event was an unqualified success, and raised over $46,000 for the Project. We sincerely thank all who came to the dinner and participated in the auction, as well as those who volunteered their services to make this event a most enjoyable and rewarding occasion.
PFRA Volunteers Plant Shelterbelt at New Bell Barn Site
Under the direction of Dan Walker, this activity took place on June 3, 2008, thanks to the co-operation and hard work of staff from the PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration). For more details and photos, see: Planting the New Shelterbelt
Bell Barn Ruins Dismantled; Reusable Materials Salvaged
In early April, 2008, the Bell Barn ruins were dismantled by R.J. Tulik & Son of Fort Qu'Appelle, and reusable materials stockpiled for use in the reconstruction. Five segments of the Barn wall were retained in the original location, and stabilized as a permanent memorial to the Barn's first location for 125 years. For more details and photos, see: Dismantling the Bell Barn
Following are a series of reports and articles that provide further information on how the project is progressing:
- What's Happening at the Bell Barn project - Oct. 6, 2006
- Lynda Haverstock & Eric Peterson - February 19, 2007