Veterans should be honoured for their service, but they were not all unblemished heroes. James Pettigrew, a former resident in what is now Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, is one of those veterans with a tarnished past. In January 1916, 36-year-old Private James Pettigrew enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) of the First World War… Continue reading An Unlikely Hero
Category: Glenbow
2024 Alberta Heritage Awards
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… Continue reading 2024 Alberta Heritage Awards
The Surprising Firehall — Part 2: Archival Discoveries
In addition to its unusual orientation, beautiful architecture, and unique interiors, Calgary’s Fire Headquarters building intrigued me for yet another reason: its sandstone. Was it possible that this stone, like that of so many other Calgary buildings, had come from Glenbow Quarry? Over the past 15 years, I had not been able to locate a… Continue reading The Surprising Firehall — Part 2: Archival Discoveries
The Surprising Firehall — Part 1: Hidden History
I have long been fascinated by a particularly striking historic building in downtown Calgary. It stands diagonally across four city lots — a unique orientation setting it apart from the other regularly aligned blocks. Five tall arches highlighted with buff-coloured sandstone dominate its red-brick face. Block letters at its peak proclaim its purpose: Fire Headquarters.… Continue reading The Surprising Firehall — Part 1: Hidden History
Historic Calgary Week 2024
“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… Continue reading Historic Calgary Week 2024
Upcoming Presentation
Join me at Haskayne Legacy Park Pavilion for an in-person presentation, as part of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation Lecture Series! I’ll be telling stories about the girls and women from Glenbow’s history. Archaeological discoveries, historical sources, genealogical research and oral histories reveal surprising stories of remarkable females from Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park’s past. Former inhabitants… Continue reading Upcoming Presentation
SOS! Glenbow Ranch Park needs your help
Please read this message from Jeromy Farkas: UPDATE 4/27/2024:Urgent Call to Action from Jeromy Farkas,Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation CEO Dear friends of Glenbow Ranch, We have only eight more days to make our voices heard through the Government of Alberta’s online survey. If you have not done so already, it is absolutely critical that you click here to participate in the survey. Please forward… Continue reading SOS! Glenbow Ranch Park needs your help
Remembering Alberta Parks
Listen to the interview I recently did with Michael Bartz for his podcast In Over My Head. My episode is in the most recent series on “Remembering Alberta Parks.” You can listen to the series trailer where “Michael explores the unique and sometimes surprising history of Alberta Parks. He learns about Aspen Beach, Miquelon, Glenbow… Continue reading Remembering Alberta Parks
Love at Glenbow
There’s lots to love at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park and this month we celebrate the romance of its past. From wedding ceremonies and celebrations, to the arrival of newlywed couples, love was in the air. One wedding ceremony is known to have been conducted at Glenbow. Chester and Gladys de la Vergne hosted the ceremony… Continue reading Love at Glenbow
Event at Calgary!
Join Shari on Thursday, February 1 at 7:00 PM at The Military Museums (located at 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary) for a presentation as part of the Blood sweat and tears: Canadian Military Medicine Lecture Series. Shari’s presentation, entitled “…And A Few of the Best of Us,” highlights the residents of Glenbow, a former settlement located in today’s… Continue reading Event at Calgary!