Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre Nanton Elevators

CONCERTS AT THE ELEVATORS

An Evening with John Wort Hannam

We are so excited to have an evening with John Wort Hannam at the Nanton Grain Elevators on Saturday, June 11. We previously had scheduled this event for the fall of 2021 but had to postpone it.

In 2001 John Wort Hannam quit his teaching job and spent 10 months depleting his savings while sitting at his kitchen table, wearing a lucky hat, writing his first ten songs. Those songs would become his first recording Pocket Full Of Holes, released in 2003.

Seventeen years later, the Alberta musician is releasing his seventh full-length recording Acres Of Elbow Room, and has a few feathers in that lucky hat for his first six offerings. Feathers include a JUNO nomination, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year, a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, a Kerrville Texas New Folk win, and numerous Western Canadian Music Awards and Canadian Folk Music Award nominations.

Recent years have seen a great deal of change in John’s life - becoming a Dad, turning 50, a move to the “big city” of Lethbridge, a long, deep bout of depression, and episodes of losing his singing voice. But John has emerged a better songwriter, a better singer, and a better player. On Acres Of Elbow Room, John has further refined his lyrical style and has landed squarely on his niche in the folk-roots world. He’s spent years learning the craft of songwriting and is taking those tools to write some of his most personal songs. He has, quite literally, found his voice.

Purchase your tickets HERE.

Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre president Leo Wieser and MLA Roger Reid celebrated the Nanton Elevators being declared an Alberta Provincial Historic Resource on April 9th. Photograph by Lorraine Hjalte at Willow Creek Studio & Boutique.

THE ELEVATORS RECEIVE PROVINCIAL DESIGNATION

Officially announced April 9, 2022!

The Nanton grain elevators have been designated provincial historic resources. Board president Leo Wieser, fellow board members Randy Hellier, Lori Stuart, and Julia Anderson, Councillors Victor Czop and Roger Miller, and MLA Roger Reid, were on hand to celebrate the achievement. Check the photos section for a selection of photos taken by Lorraine Hjalte.

Since 1993

Preserving History

In the early 2000's the abandonment of the Canadian Pacific railway threatened the demolition of the historic grain elevators that stood next to the railway in the Town of Nanton. The citizens of Nanton rallied together for the protection and preservation of the towns historical landmarks. The town formed a historical society named "Save One" as the original goal of the society was to save the largest of the two standing grain elevators.

The undertaking was a big one and it took three years to achieve. But the incredible effort put in by the many volunteers and local businesses proved to be so successful that they were able to save all three of the remaining buildings. The gracious donations provided by members, local farmers and ranchers and local businesses have helped in replacing the railway tracks next to the elevators and helped to restore the buldings to their former glory. The most notable restoration was painting the former Alberta Wheat Pool elevator back to its original green and the Pioneer elevator back to its original orange and yellow.

Thanks to the society and local contributions the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre has been established and aims to educate visitors about the town's, and Alberta's, agricultural history.