When I arrived at Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth II Building, I was struck by this lovely view of the nearby Alberta Legislature. Inside, from my seat at the 2024 Alberta Heritage Awards Ceremony, it formed the perfect backdrop to the speaker’s podium. Just as the Legislature’s dome faded from view with the setting sun, it suddenly reappeared out of the darkness, lit by unseen hands.
Like a magical beacon, the illuminated dome highlighted the work of the many labourers who had quarried its sandstone from the cliffs located in today’s Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. It also conjured the handiwork of Glenbow’s stonecutters, who had travelled to the provincial capital to carve the intricate details of this monument to democracy.
On the evening of September 26, I was very honoured to be presented with an Alberta Heritage Awareness Award for my book Alberta’s Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, which tells the story of Glenbow Quarry and its surrounding community.
I’m grateful to the Heritage Awards Review Committee for this recognition. I was one of five recipients of this award, which is presented every two years. There were also five recipients of each of the other two categories of Heritage Awards: Heritage Conservation and Outstanding Achievement. I’m honoured to be in company with these amazing heritage advocates.
My book would not have been possible without the loving support of my darling husband during the 15 years I’ve spent researching and writing about Glenbow.
I’d also like to thank Heritage House Publishing for turning my work into such a beautiful book, especially Audrey McClellan, my kind and knowledgable editor; Monica Miller, for her ongoing marketing; and, Nandini Thaker, editorial coordinator, who ensured the book made it to the printer on time when my priorities shifted to caring for my sick and dying parents.
Thank you to Dr. Frits Pannekoek for his encouragement and for his nomination for this award. The support of the Historical Society of Alberta, Chinook Country Historical Society and Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Tim Harvie for his support. As you may know, his family donated the land to form the park, and his grandfather (Eric Harvie) knew the landowners who’d been present during the quarry’s heyday.
Many others contributed to the research upon which my book is based, but as the book acknowledgements are several pages long, I will not reiterate my thanks here. However, many of these important people fall into the categories of park stewards and volunteers. I’m sure they join me in thanking the Alberta Government for acknowledging that Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is an important historical, educational, and environmental resource for all Albertans.
The day prior to the presentation of these Alberta Heritage Awards, the provincial government announced that they have decided not to flood our beloved Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The ghostly hands of Glenbow’s stoneworkers, which left their marks on many buildings throughout Alberta, are surely clasped in prayers of thanks.