In 2003, Hayward Hopkins and his sister Joan Richards offered to give to the Museum Committee a log barn that was situated on the Hopkins farm 3 miles north and 1 mile east of Clanwilliam on the NW of 29-16-17. Mr. Ben Hopkins, father of Hayward and Joan had built the barn.
In late fall of 2003, volunteers started preparing the barn for the move to the Minnedosa Heritage Village. Lyle Bremmer of Mentmor district, a farmer and building mover, was contacted and a deal was made with him to move the barn. Lyle brought up his moving equipment and with help from Bill Hopkins, his tractor and front end loader, they soon had the barn ready to move.
On October 24, 2003 the barn was moved to Minnedosa and placed on a new cement foundation prepared by our volunteers. The barn is approximately 27 x 24 feet made of poplar logs, has a second storey loft, and has a metal covered roof that is in good condition. Our volunteers have replaced some of the logs and chinked and plastered between the logs on the outside. Presently the barn is being used for storage, but eventually there will be a horse stall put in, a box stall and perhaps a small pen, to give it more of a barn appearance inside.
We are very grateful to Hayward Hopkins and his sister Joan Richards for donating this building to our collection in the village.
