The Teulon & District Museum is celebrating a sold-out fundraiser and renewed community momentum as it works to protect one of Teulon’s most significant heritage buildings — the Hunter House, the original 1905 home of Dr. A.J. Hunter.
The Raising the Roof bingo fundraiser, held Nov. 17 at the Gunton Hall, drew 156 people and marked the museum’s first attempt at hosting a bingo. Organizers say the response showed how committed residents are to preserving their community’s history.
“We expected a sellout because bingo players are serious about their bingo, and the support was incredible,” said museum board member Nancy Revel. “With all the buildings at the museum, grandparents and parents understand how important this site is, but there are still many people who have never been here. Events like this help reconnect the community.”
Volunteers were central to the success of the night, taking on everything from calling numbers and checking cards to preparing hot dogs and coffee and cutting pies during the 20-minute intermission. Silent auction and 50-50 ticket sellers kept the hall busy, while donated prizes poured in from local supporters, including hams and turkeys funded through a generous contribution from Willis Agro. Janet Dyrda of Blue Skies baked all the door prizes and cookies, and Kathy Campbell collected silent auction items. The museum’s board — just eight members, including three senior advisers aged 80 to 92 — relied heavily on additional helpers.
Organizers stressed their gratitude for the generosity shown.
“We want to thank all the lovely people who donated prizes, bought tickets, volunteered at the event or helped behind the scenes,” Revel said. “This museum runs on community support, and we truly couldn’t do it without every single one of them.”
The successful evening has sparked interest in holding a second bingo this spring, depending on volunteer availability.
Funds raised through the bingo will go toward repairing and reshingling the Hunter House roof. Although no leaks have been found, the board says the work cannot wait. The structure contains three floors of artifacts and includes a balcony that cannot be used until its structural soundness is confirmed.
“We can’t take a chance with that much history under one roof,” Revel said. “I joined the board five years ago and we’ve been fundraising for the roof ever since.”
The last estimate, completed a few years ago, pegged the cost at about $55,000, though the museum expects updated quotes to come in higher. Several businesses have been contacted to provide current pricing.
The Hunter House remains one of the region’s most historically important buildings. Built in 1905, it served as the home of medical missionary Dr. A.J. Hunter, who built Teulon’s first hospital, founded the Boys’ and Girls’ Homes for rural students and translated key Ukrainian literary works into English. The large wood-frame dwelling, complete with original furnishings, also housed nurses who worked alongside Hunter. Moved to Green Acres Park in 1985, the home is a municipally designated heritage site.
The museum currently has about $45,000 set aside for the roof project through fundraisers, teas, donations and long-term planning. Ongoing initiatives include the museum’s first December cash calendar, which features 300 calendars sold for $10 each. The calendar offers $1,500 in prizes, including special Christmas and New Year’s draws of $125. After printing costs, the museum expects to net about $1,200 this season. Draws run in two 15-day periods with Monday prizes of $25, $50, $75 and $100, and the board is already looking at selling more calendars in the new year to build on this momentum.
Once the roof is complete, the board hopes to rebuild the aging deck and construct a new wheelchair-accessible ramp linking the Hunter House, Doll House and caboose — a project estimated at $48,000. The Interlake Community Foundation recently contributed $1,187 toward steps and handrails for the main building.
“There’s always something,” Revel said. “These buildings matter, and we want to keep them safe and accessible for everyone.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating towards the project can contact Nancy Revel at 1-204-886-2792 or email: teulonmuseum@gmail.com.
