In 1882, Captain Edward Michell Pierce established an English colony northeast of the present day village of Manor. The settlement became a place to educate English settlers on farming practices in Saskatchewan, while providing Victorian culture and recreation.
Springing up quickly Cannington Manor grew in short time. Just as quickly as the settlement sprang up, it would dissolve when the CPR built south of the settlement by approximately six miles. In the early 1900's this was detrimental to the community due to distance of travel at the time. Drought and grain prices made it impossible to thrive here, but the original foundations of houses and the mill are still evident. While the church is still operational in the summer by locals.
Each year Cannington Manor Provincial Park celebrates the spirit of the pioneers and hosts numerous events throughout the year giving visitors to the park an idea of what life was once like.
One of their major events occurs during the August long weekend, and the Cannington Manor Fair was again a success. Held on Sunday, Aug. 3, many families and tourists flocked to the settlement to take part in games, making ice cream, make rope, and learn about life in Saskatchewan in the early years of settlement.
Park interpreter, Katlynn Duff, has been working at Cannington Manor for the last two summers and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at the park.
"I've been here for two years and it's been really good," Duff explained. "It's a lot of fun."
As an interpreter Duff dresses in period costume and is knowledgeable about the settlement. People stopped in for cucumber sandwiches and iced tea at the Carpenter's House.
The fair was very well attended with vehicles filling the parking area and many people wandering through Cannington Manor taking in the fair.
The park still has numerous activities left for the summer including its usual Manor House Grounds Tour, Trades Day, Cannington by Candlelight, Vintage Village Sunday, and Drawing Room Day. Each one focuses on a different aspect of life in the prairies in the late 1800s.
New to Cannington Manor this year is the Wet Your Whistle Tour, which focuses on the whiskey smuggling history of the area.
