Hedges on the side of the home.
events such as tea parties, musicals and of course their daughter’s wedding to Stanley McCuaig, the decorations were often noteworthy enough to make the local papers. “The home was particularly attractively decorated with autumn leaves, sweet peas and roses,” remarked one paper about the Rutherford-McCuaig wedding decor. To honour the first University of Alberta graduating
class, the Rutherfords hosted what would be the first Founder’s Day Tea on May 9, 1912 for 25 students. The tea would become a tradition for graduating classes for the next 26 years, increasing in size to accommodate over 300 graduates in 1938. Today Rutherford House welcomes tourists with
costumed interpreters offering guided tours and a glimpse into the life of this influential family. The gardens have been restored and the furnished post-Edwardian style home is sure to transport you back in time. Mr. Rutherford
His six apple trees, grown from seed, and an impres-
sive vegetable garden were Mr. Rutherford’s pride and joy. He spent countless hours tending to the trees, shrubs and hedges. The vegetable garden used to lie to the east of the home along a gravel pathway. It was Rutherford’s true passion; here he grew potatoes, turnips, carrots, radishes and lettuce. Despite his dignified position, he was not afraid to dig into the dirt and, other than the first spring plow, did much of the gardening himself. McCu- aig, Rutherford’s grandson, remembers how his grandfa- ther enjoyed spending time with neighbourhood children, including himself, and providing them with small garden plots and growing advice. A farmer at heart, Rutherford showed interest in the new
strains of wheat being developed by Scottish immigrant David Fife. He invested in 70 acres east of town where he grew the experimental 1840 Red Fife wheat. The wheat flourished across the prairies, and in 1899 Rutherford planted three pounds of it which yielded him two bushels of hard grain.
Mrs. Rutherford Mrs. Rutherford’s pride and joy was her double white
lilac bush, another labour of love started from seed. Mrs. Rutherford admired her sister’s tree in Ottawa and, taking seeds from it, cultivated her own tree. She grew the plant
localgardener.net Mr. Rutherford’s Study. Pink peonies were one of Mrs. Rutherford’s favourite flowers.
Fall 2016 • 31
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