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

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

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!

Isabella Sarah Gillespie 

The exploits of powerful men form the basis of recorded history, while the life experiences of other groups, such as people with disabilities, are often neglected. This skews our view of the past, since in reality, many people face health difficulties due to genetic or infectious diseases, accidents, or aging. The former residents of Glenbow… Continue reading Isabella Sarah Gillespie 

Marion Moodie: Botanist

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 provides a great opportunity to highlight the diverse scientific endeavours of a woman who called Glenbow home. Marion Moodie’s medical career was featured here in a previous article, however she was accomplished in another scientific discipline, as well. Marion arrived in Glenbow in… Continue reading Marion Moodie: Botanist

Evelyn Edwards

Just as in the classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, each of us impacts the lives of others in vital (but sometimes forgotten) ways. Like the film’s hero George Bailey, Evelyn Edwards performed a crucial act of bravery one winter during her childhood. Evelyn was born at Glenbow in April 1912, the first child… Continue reading Evelyn Edwards

The Wall Family: Loss & Legacy

Although historians and archaeologists study all aspects of life in the past, grief and loss are not common research topics. However, we can benefit from understanding how others coped with tragedy, since we all eventually suffer the heartache of losing someone close to us. The Wall family once lived in what is today Glenbow Ranch… Continue reading The Wall Family: Loss & Legacy

Wyvona Alexander Lane

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park was once home to many interesting individuals, some of whom went on to accomplish surprising things. Among these former residents was Wyvona Belle Alexander Lane. In 1919, Wyvona’s family moved from Texas to Alberta. Within a year, they were living at Glenbow, where her father, Irwin Alexander, worked as the storekeeper… Continue reading Wyvona Alexander Lane