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Criddle / Vane Homestead Provincial Heritage Park

Criddle / Vane Homestead, Manitoba’s 78^th provincial park was designated on February 24, 2004.

The park is located in southwestern Manitoba about 40 kilometres southeast of Brandon, and is composed of a 130 hectare area that preserves and protects the heritage value of the former homestead of the Criddle/Vane family. The park also protects representative features of the Assiniboine Delta Natural Region including mixed-grass prairie. The Park accommodates nature-oriented recreational and educational opportunities and experiences that are respectful of the natural setting and historic environment.

The Criddle and Vane families are Manitoba pioneers well-known for their contributions in the fields of science, art, sports, and culture, as well as for their somewhat eccentric lifestyle. They settled in Manitoba in 1882, and the last family members left the homestead in 1960. Their homestead (NE 32-8-16W and SE 5-9-16W) was acquired by the Province of Manitoba in the 1970s. The site includes the Criddle home, the remaining structure of the first entomological field station in western Canada, a cemetery, old foundations, and the remains of original landscape features such as the family tennis courts and a golf course.

The site is significant to the entomological research community for long-term scientific study. Norman Criddle collected specimens from the region which can now be found in many major insect collections throughout the world.

The volunteers of Criddle-Vane Homestead Park invite all to come celebrate the 12th Anniversary of the arrival of the Criddle and Vane families to the homestead in Manitoba.  The event will be held August 26, 2007, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the park just south of Shilo off Hwy 340 (19 km south of the low road to Shilo).  There will be a reenactment of the arrival, entomology display at the newly restored "first" entomological lab on the Prairies, tours of the homestead, children's games, golf contest, horseshoes, costume judging, music in the park, tours of the house, raffles and a fund raising BBQ.  Come in period costume if possible, to celebrate these pioneer families' contributions to agriculture and science at the old homestead.  Please feel free to pass on this invitation to anyone whom you think might be interest.

Accommodations are available in nearby local communities.

From Brandon, follow PR 457 east to PR 340. Continue along PR 340 south. There is an access road approximately 10 kilometres south of Shilo that provides access to Criddle/Vane Provincial Park.

Criddle / Vane Homestead Self-guiding Interpretive Trail

Criddle-Vane Homestead Provincial Park is holding a Grand Reopening of Norman Criddle's first entomology laboratory on the Prairies - August 13, 2006 from 12:30 to 3:30 at the park.