“Community Builders” is the theme of Historic Calgary Week 2024, which is put on by the Chinook Country Historical Society (CCHS). Although based in Calgary, the society seeks to preserve and share the history of Alberta from Olds to Nanton. The 34th annual Historic Calgary Week runs from Friday, July 26 to Monday, August 4 and has 88 scheduled events.
The presentations and tours cover a huge variety of topics and venues. Details about all events can be found in the brochure on the CCHS website. Events are free to attend but many (particularly tours) require pre-registration.
I am excited to be introducing several events this year and I will be attending several others. In addition, I will be giving my own presentation about Calgary’s fire early department on Sunday, July 28 at 3:00 PM at Calgary’s Central Library. “Flags, Firehalls and Firemen” shows that fire played a defining role in Calgary’s development. As the Sandstone City rose from the ashes of the ruinous 1886 fire, the first firehalls became hot spots of community activity, and the early firefighters forged Calgary’s society, fanning the flames of music, sport and politics. You’ll meet some members of Calgary’s Fire Department, including the fiery Chief, the trailblazing woman, and the fighting firemen of the First World War.
During Historic Calgary Week 2024, you can take behind the scenes tours at historic locations, experience parks in a new way, learn about resources useful for your own research, and discover the many “Community Builders” who have made southern Alberta what it is today.