While the community was shocked last Tuesday afternoon as the Midland Community Hall burned, there was a bright spot as the community learned the approximately 20 portraits of miners and community leaders were spared. Bonita Krueger created these portraits. She was commissioned in the early 1990’s to paint a mural on the outside of the hall, which is still standing today. After that, she undertook the portraits, the first being John Oxbury. Vice president of the Community Hall Association Kent McLellan tells inSide Drumheller the portraits were what he was most concerned about and he is grateful for the quick response from the Drumheller and Munson Fire Departments, which were able to limit damages from the fire. 4 Elements Environment Control supplied the association with tarps to cover the damage from the weather. He was also grateful when he learned that some irreplaceable Midland artifacts were moved out of the basement so they would not be damaged by water. “It’s an old building, but it means a lot to many people,” McLellan said.
