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
Tag: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
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
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
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!
Winter Sport
The stoneworkers of Glenbow Quarry (which was located in today’s Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park) experienced a chinook in mid-December 1909 and they decided to make the most of the warm weather. A special charity football match (soccer to us) was scheduled for Christmas Day. Admission was 35 cents, with proceeds going to the widow of… Continue reading Winter Sport
The Gift of Glenbow
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a beautiful ecological preserve where the past meets the present, with native grasslands and wetlands, abundant wildlife, and unique historical resources. Its striking mountain views and wide open spaces make a lasting impression on visitors. Senior citizens who spent their youth surrounded by plants and animals repeatedly tell me that… Continue reading The Gift of Glenbow
Remembrance Day: The Norris Family
Although the Norris family homesteaded and farmed in the Glendale District, they had a notable impact on Glenbow, which was located in today’s Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. They also made a significant contribution to Canada’s armed forces. Thomas Henry Norris and his son Arthur came to Canada from England in 1903, arriving in Alberta the… Continue reading Remembrance Day: The Norris Family