STORYTELLING – Dewdney Memorial Hall

Dewdney Memorial Hall is located in an area called Dewdney, a settlement founded in 1887 in an area originally known as Kanaka Prairie and locally referred to as Johnson’s Landing. By the 1920s, the community had transformed the area’s landscape and cleared dense brush and reclaiming over 1,800 acres through the construction of dykes. As the population grew, so did the need for a communal gathering space.

In a remarkable display of community spirit, residents came together to build their memorial hall through donated materials, volunteer labour, and innovative financing through the sale of shares. The result was a impressive 45 x 90 square foot structure, valued at $7,000, which opened its doors on April 19th, 1929.

For more than five decades, this hall served as the heart of community life, hosting a diverse array of activities from life celebrations like weddings and banquets to civic functions including voting and school programs. The space vibrated with cultural events such as dances, concerts, and plays, while also serving as a venue for sports, meetings, and community fundraisers.

In 1992, faced with mounting repair costs, the community made the difficult decision to donate the hall to Dewdney Elementary School. Though the building was ultimately demolished, the community’s spirit of cooperation prevailed through an agreement with the School District, ensuring continued access to gathering space at the school in exchange for the hall’s former land.