Log cabin dedication ceremony
07 June, 2014
Dedication Ceremony in Markland
The annual Trails Day walk through Markland on the old Fairbanks Lake Road was put on pause on Saturday, June 7, as more than 75 people gathered on lot 3 for the Log Cabin Dedication ceremony. Dark clouds and threat of rain did not dampen spirits as the voice of Ann Helga Denny singing the Icelandic National anthem seemed to rise above the stillness and bring the old settlement to its feet.
In her opening remarks, Glenda Burrows, Chair of the Icelandic Memorial Society, described how the log cabin was the inspiration of Dolly Belmore. Her vision and longtime goal was to have a cabin built in Markland to serve as an interpretive site and a tribute to the Icelandic settlers who lived here from 1875-1882. The last years of her life were devoted to the two things that she thought mattered the most, the search for descendants of the Markland settlers and the building of the cabin.
On this day both had come true. Two very special guests in the crowd, Ruth Nielsen and Holly Puppe had traveled from Minnesota and North Dakota to attend the ceremony. Having located them only months before, the Society was thrilled when they learned they were coming to Nova Scotia for the very first time. Ruth is the granddaughter and Holly the great granddaughter of Brynjólfur Sigurðsson, the first Icelandic child born in Nova Scotia. He was born in September 1875, one month after his parents had moved into their cabin on lot 3. It was easy to imagine that the traditional Icelandic lullaby sung by Ann Helga Denny was perhaps once sung to young Brynjólfur in a cabin much like the one built by the Society. Ruth told the crowd how emotional and unbelievable it was to see where her grandfather had been born. She shared pictures and gave a short history of the family life after they left Markland and moved west for a more prosperous life.
Guest speaker, Barry Dalrymple, District 1 Councillor, HRM, offered congratulations on the completion of the log cabin project and remarked on the importance of this long-forgotten history of the Musquodoboit area and the province of Nova Scotia.
As the ceremony came to a close Ruth Neilsen unveiled the interpretive sign that revealed a depiction of life in Markland and a photo of her family. The plaque dedicating the log cabin to Dolly Belmore was unveiled by her daughter Bonnie Price.
Rev. Larry Harrison, MLA, Colchester- Musquodoboit Valley, spoke of the values held by the Icelandic people of Markland, their sense of community, steadfastness and strong spirit. In closing he gave the blessing of the cabin. As the ceremony ended and people began to leave, the stillness returned and the cabin seemed to settle into its surroundings as if it had been there for more than 100 years.
Once again the historic Icelandic settlement of Markland had reason to be celebrated and the Icelandic Society reason to be proud.
Bonnie Price
Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia
Children gather at the dedication ceremony
Members and special guests gather to celebrate
waterloo stove and small table made by one of the settlers
Helga Denny sings the Icelandic National anthem
Dedication plaque on the log cabin
Interpretive plaque at the log cabin by artist Bonnie Price