Town honours its past

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Published on Friday, July 8, 2016

By Jessie Bell

The hamlet of Harding has a remarkable collection of cairns and plaques to remember its ancestors. One of the most interesting is Harding Community Center. The centre was once a church (Methodist and then United), built in 1893 at the north end of the town. Due to larger farms, rural depopulation and declining interest, it became vacant and was closed around 1967-68. Since Harding Agricultural Society needed more accommodation at fair time, the building was moved to the town’s southwest entrance, at the fairgrounds, in 1999. It was set on a cement slab, with crawl space to allow room for a furnace. It became Harding Community Center and has since been refurbished inside and out, insulated for the first time, has new wiring, plumbing, air conditioning and an exterior wheelchair ramp.

Situated on the south side of the building is a huge rock affixed with a huge brass military service honour roll, listing 24 names and four who were killed in action during the 1914-19 war. The monument is lit at night by two solar lights, mounted in curling rock handle spaces.

Residents of the community have been involved in restoring the building and grounds, most notably Evan and Wilma Bell, who farmed near Harding and who now live in Kenton. Bev Bennett, current president of the centre, and her husband Keith live on an acreage north of Harding and they too, provide much volunteer labour in the upkeep of this place. There are four more ladies who plan and prepare monthly smorgasbord meals five or six times during warmer parts of our year. Help is also available when called upon, from the area. A few students serve desserts, which is credited on their school records as volunteerism.

The center seats 58 diners, who sit on brand new chairs. Profit from the meals, along with grant money, helped to pay for renovations so the center is debt-free. Harding Community Ladies also make donations to A Port in the Storm, a home away from home in Winnipeg, where people can stay for short periods, while taking cancer treatments. Unlike Ronald McDonald House, those in “the Port” can remain there until their treatment is complete, rather than having to clear their room should they wish to return home for a weekend.

Angle a bit southeast from the centre and you’ll find a large cairn marking the spot where Harding School once sat. It is to honour four schools in District No. 1352, beginning in 1885 and ending in 1968. Two were named Rowan Schools, situated on different properties, and two as Harding, the latest being consolidated. That cairn was dedicated at a reunion on July 12, 1981. It was erected in memory of pioneers, former teachers, students and residents who endeavoured to build a community worthy of remembrance. 

Harding Agricultural Hall, dated 1914, is near the fairgrounds entrance. It is used for displays (upstairs) and serving a cold plate supper on fair day. Meanwhile, the center is used for needlework and quilt displays, on that day only.

There’s another cairn placed near the ticket booth on the fairgrounds; its lettering reads, “Presented to Harding Agricultural Society in recognition of 100 years (1904-2004) of dedicated service to agriculture, the community and province.” It bears the names of Hon. Rosann Wowchuk, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, as well as Hon. Gary Doer, premier of Manitoba at that time.

Harding’s fair date this year is July 22 when the grounds will come alive with livestock entries. It is known as one of Manitoba’s best country fairs, although there are only 30 helpers who cheerfully work to help their community.