Chasing Gophers Barefoot Exhibit at the Rutherford Library

The Kule Folklore Centre and the Alberta Society for the Advancement of Ukrainian Studies are proud to announce that the exhibit "Chasing Gophers Barefoot: Prairie Children of the 1930s" will be on display at the University of Alberta Rutherford Library Atrium from September 12 until October 28.

6 September 2022

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The exhibit is based on the Local Culture and Diversity on the Prairies research project that created a large repository of recorded interviews which documented everyday life, ethnic identity and regional variation among people of Ukrainian, French, German and English heritage on the prairies up to 1939. 

It uses recollections of adults to re-create the worlds of childhood and tells stories about everyday life of children on a farm and on the streets of a small town, at the school, the church, and the community hall. It explores the clothing that formed the most personal aspect of ‘making do’ in the 1930s, scarcity of food and rare and unforgettable treats, but also toys, games, reading, music, and sports.

To learn more about the initial Local Culture and Diversity on the Prairies project, its methodology, and participants, check out the project 2003-2005 website.

To access the collection and listen to the interviews, click here.