Ice Cream Parlors and a Century-Old Wedding Dress at the Kerrobert Museum
As we wait for summer, the Kerrobert Museum is whisking visitors back to nostalgic, sun-drenched afternoons with their Ice Cream Parlor display. The exhibit is a celebration of the classic ice cream parlors that once dotted our province’s towns.
The Museum shared that the first ice cream parlour in Kerrobert was owned by early pioneer settlers Willie and Ethel (Ell) Farringer, who came by covered wagon from North Dakota. They first set up shop in Tent Town and then moved their business beside the newly built Town Hall (1914) on Atlantic Avenue. The two chairs seen in the photo are from the Farringer collection.
Mr. and Mrs. Barber operated a provision store and later turned it into a bakery and ice cream parlour (later it became Duncan’s). The History Book (pg. 23) tells us it had white wicker tables and chairs to match, and a sofa fountain bar with fashionable wire-back stools.
The museum is also showcasing a wedding dress that tells its own heartwarming story. What makes this dress so special is not just the elegant design but the stories it holds, the love, care, and craftsmanship that has kept it beautiful for over a century.
The dress, originally created in 1915 by Jane (Mitchell) Hanbidge, was passed down through generations of the Hanbidge family. The granddaughter of Jane and R.L. Hanbidge, Mary Jane Pfeifer, donated the wedding dress, along with a touching letter detailing its history. The dress, handcrafted by Jane, was carefully stored away for decades after her wedding. When Mary Jane’s mother, Mildred, prepared to marry in 1952, the dress was deemed too large and tucked away once more. It wasn’t until 1982, when Mary Jane herself got married, that the dress was brought out and altered to fit. Despite some age-related wear, the dress, with a few modifications that preserved its beauty and history, was worn by Mary Jane for her wedding.
So, whether you stop by the museum to reminisce about the days when summer felt endless or see the beautiful wedding dress that has spanned generations, the Kerrobert Museum offers a unique peek into our province’s rich history!
Visit the Kerrobert Museum during open hours:
Monday to Friday
8:30-12:00
1:00-4:30
Closed on holidays
433 Manitoba Ave, Kerrobert, SK S0L 1R0
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