All are welcome to the rededication of the Men of Vision statue and unveiling of a newly designed plaque on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site.
The program begins at 5 p.m. at the Cochrane Museum with speeches, followed by Judy MacKenzie and Wendy Copithorne travelling to the statue on horseback for the unveiling. Cupcakes will be served afterwards.
Judy is the widow of sculptor Malcolm James “Mac” MacKenzie, who created the statue and maintained an extensive record of its creation and dedication ceremony.
The Cochrane Ranche Historic Site was designated a protected area in 1977 by Alberta Culture. The Men of Vision statue was completed and placed on the hill overlooking the community on May 21, 1979, during a dedication ceremony attended by many dignitaries, including Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.
Wendy is the daughter of the late Clarence Copithorne, a former Cochrane MLA and member of Peter Lougheed’s first cabinet. He was instrumental in having the Cochrane Ranche designated a historic site before his death on June 4, 1979.
“He was able to see his dream of the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site officially opened on their 33rd wedding anniversary,” wrote Mark Boothby in an article for the Cochrane Historical Archival Preservation Society.
The Cochrane Ranche was Alberta’s first large-scale cattle ranch, established in 1881 by Sen. Matthew Cochrane.
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The community was shocked to learn the statue was vandalized last year, with cuts made to the horse’s legs. It's been repaired, with damages originally estimated to be between $25,000 and $30,000.