1

St. Albans, an Oil Painting
Circa 1975
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Roger Anton
Alistair Abell
Sipiweske Museum

2

Percy was planning the new house from 1905 estimating the costs and finalizing the plans. It was fast becoming a necessity more than a dream -
'Wind extremely disgusting now. Shall be glad when we get a house that is wind-proof"
It had been a prosperous season on the farm and Percy was hoping that he would not have to postpone the plans for another year. He continued to draw and plan and redraw till he had achieved what he wanted at the minimum cost. Percy hired Mr. Harms, an extraordinary carpenter and close friend of the family whose expertise were in continuous demand throughout the countryside.
The materials were mostly found locally - gravel for the foundation and cellar came from the river, sawdust and chaff used for insulation above the bed rooms.

From Percy Criddle's Diary moving into the new house:

"Going to begin the Exodus from the old log house where we have lived so long - where four of the children have been born- where Elise died - and where we have passed through the early hardships of pioneering. Many a jolly party and lots of other pleasures have we had in it - and now its glory is to fade. It is to be deserted in its old age and presently pulled down - "sic transit Gloria domi'. We are all, I'm sure, heartily sorry to leave it, and the new place (no new furniture yet) will seem stiff and unlovely for I suppose quiet a long time at least. Moving in full blast- a lot of things already in - flowers, beds, sundry tables, chairs, etc. Cupboards already filling up - kitchen stove about fixed - organ in and it sounds five times better than in the old shop - in fact, the new house is almost too resonant. 'Tis quite a joy to sing in it. I thought my voice was about gone - but it isn't, at and rate today."

3

Weather Box infront of St. Albans
Mid 20th Century
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

4

When Norman's work would take him away from home Maida added the daily routine of taking the weather readings every morning at nine o'clock. Percy had started taking the reading in 1884, then Norman and later Maida. No matter what the weather was it was recorded each morning at the specified time, and to Maida it was just a chore that needed to be done. The meticulous records were continued until the family moved to Vancouver in 1960.

5

St. Albans - from the East Garden
Circa 1917
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

6

Many pieces of new furniture were ordered from Eaton's - a luxury as everything they had before was all hand made. The house soon came to shelter a telescope, a billiards table crafted by Cecil, a library and kitchen cupboards - especially appreciated by the females as before the pots and pans never had a designated spot.

7

The Families Last Christmas at St. Albans
25 December 1959
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Kathy Noel
Alistair Abell
Sipiweske Museum

8

The family celebrated their last Christmas at St. Albans in 1959. Some of the family moved to B.C. in 1960 where the purchased a golf course that they operated for many years, others remained in Manitoba.
Christmas celebrations were always recorded in Percy's dairy.

From Harry Vane's memoirs:

"I remember one Christmas Day, Mrs. Criddle made three custard pies, and bread made of shorts and bran, and no yeast - no candies or oranges. The Indians brought us a piece of venison - that was our meat for eleven or twelve people. Other years were about the same - Canadians did not keep Christmas very much. New Year's Day was better - no telephone, but more visiting."

9

Alice and Percy
1909
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

10

On November 28, 1906 the house was considered ready for occupancy, and the family moved in. In his diary Percy recorded;

"Going to begin the Exodus from the old log house where we have lived so long - where four of the children have been born- where Elise died - and where we have passed through the early hardships of pioneering. Many a jolly party and lots of other pleasures have we had in it - and now its glory is to fade. It is to be deserted in its old age and presently pulled down - "sic transit Gloria domi'. We are all, I'm sure, heartily sorry to leave it, and the new place (no new furniture yet) will seem stiff and unlovely for I suppose quiet a long time at least. Moving in full blast- a lot of things already in - flowers, beds, sundry tables, chairs, etc. Cupboards already filling up - kitchen stove about fixed - organ in and it sounds five times better than in the old shop - in fact, the new house is almost too resonant. 'Tis quite a joy to sing in it. I thought my voice was about gone - but it isn't, at and rate today".

This picture of Alice and Percy, sitting proudly in front of there home, was taken in 1909.