March 12, 2004

Conservation Minister Stan Struthers today announced the creation of the Criddle/Vane Homestead Provincial Park, a 130-hectare park located just south of the town of Shilo. The park is the former homestead of the Criddle and Vane families.

"The Criddle and Vane families were Manitoba pioneers well-known for their contributions to the fields of science, art, sports and culture," said Struthers. "We are pleased to work with the Criddle/Vane Homestead Heritage Committee to recognize their contribution through this heritage park designation."

The families settled in Manitoba in 1882 and the last family members left the homestead in 1960. The site includes the Criddle home, the remaining structure of the first entomological field station in Western Canada, a cemetery, old foundations and remaining landscape.

"The heritage park designation will maintain the natural and scientific significance of the site including natural features representative of the Assiniboine Delta natural region and will recognize the contributions of the homestead families," said the minister.

Struthers noted that the site is significant to the entomological research community for long-term scientific study. Norman Criddle collected specimens from the region which can now be found in many major insect collections throughout the world such as Boston’s Harvard University and the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa. Several new classification discoveries resulted and Criddle’s records are still actively studied today.

The minister commended the efforts of the Criddle/Vane Homestead Heritage Committee in the establishment of this significant Manitoba heritage park designation. The group is a subcommittee of the Friends of Spruce Woods organization and has provided countless hours of time in maintenance and fundraising efforts for this site.

The committee was responsible for creating a self-guiding interpretive trail complete with a trailhead sign, interpretive panels and a brochure at the homestead this fall.

"The trail will provide visitors a way to view the remaining cultural features as well as experience many of the flora and fauna that greeted the homesteaders as they began the work of making a life for themselves in pioneer Manitoba," said Struthers.

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