The Huble Homestead is now open for a very special season   Op250 file photo

Prince George, BC – The Huble Homestead officially opened for the 2012 season yesterday and will spend the summer commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Huble House, beginning with a new event, ‘Seebach Days’, today and tomorrow.

Ed Seebach was Al Huble’s lesser known business partner and it is his life and work that will be in focus this weekend, as Huble activities centre around trapping, trading, and traveling. 

Homestead Operations Manager, Krystal Leason, says there will be a ribbon-cutting on a new permanent exhibit called ‘Seebach’s Cabin’ at 12noon today, a tour of the site starting from the cabin, as well as blacksmithing and black powder shooting demonstrations.  (It is because of the latter, that the normally dog-friendly site, is recommending canine friends stay home today.  Leason says experience has shown dogs do not appreciate the black powder blasts.)

An interpreter from the Fort St. James National Historic Site will be at Huble between 1pm and 3pm, demonstrating the prehistoric hunting weapon, the atl atl.  "And I seem to think, he’ll let people try it as well," says Leason.  As usual, there will be crafts and games for the kids and heritage activities like ice cream making.  As well, Leeson says the homestead will be launching two new publications marking the centennial: a community cookbook that was compiled over the winter (with tasty samples on-hand), and a childrens’ book called, "Mr. Huble builds a house," illustrated by local artist June Swanky Parker.

The book tells the story of Al Huble bringing his new wife to live at the homestead and their need for a bigger house.  "It’s just beautiful and the book is so adorable," says Leason.  "June’s illustrations make it come alive.  It’s great for kids aged three to seven, but it’s a perfect keepsake for anyone that loves the Huble Homestead – it’s just a beautiful piece of art." 

The book is available for $10 and Swanky Parker will be at the homestead from noon until three tomorrow to autograph copies sold.  Visitors are being encouraged to arrive by 11am tomorrow, if they’d like to see the homestead’s sheep lose their winter coats.

The Huble Homestead is open everyday from now until the September long weekend between 10am and 5pm.  Admission is by donation, with the suggestion that families donate $10.  The site is located 40-kilometres north of Prince George, 6km off Highway 97 on Mitchell Road.  For more information, go to www.hublehomestead.ca