Material Type

Photograph

Date Range

27 January 1987

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

9.2 x 12.5 cm color photograph

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

The Lethbridge Historical Society originated in 1888 as a scientific and historical society. The organizers included Alexander Moffat, John D. Higginbotham, Charles Magrath and other well known pioneers. There was some talk of preserving records but the main emphasis was on biweekly meetings at which papers were presented. The first histroical society seemed to fold up in the 1890's. There was an economic depression, growth in Lethbridge was stagnant and no one was interested in history. The historical society was resurrected in 1923. the purpose as that time was to use it as a vehicle to commemorate our coal mining pioneers, specifically Nicholas Sheran. Those responsible for the reorganization inclued C. J. Broderick, Judge J. A. Jackson and A. B. Hogg. After considerable work, the National Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was persuaded to recognize Sheran's contribution with a marker and plaque in Galt Gardens. After this success, the local Historcial Society seemed to become inactive, althought some meetintgs were held and papers presented from 1923 to 1928. In 1935, it was brought back to life once again. The prime movers were George Watson, J.S. Kirkham and A.B. Hogg. This time the purpose was to use the Historical Society as an organization to handle the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Lethbridge. and again, after a successful celebration on July 23-26, 1935, the society again vanished from sight. It was resurrrected a fourth time in 1958, at the insigation of lethbridge City Council, who wanted to establish a museum in the city. Alderman Cliff Black tried, but was not able to reactivate a pemmican Club committee that had been trying to get funds to buikld a repllica of Fort Whoop-Up. He called on John Dutton and Muriel Gentleman to set up a historical society.The Civic Museum was opened in three rooms of the former Bowman School in 1964, with the historical society operating the facility. The museum moved in 1966 to the former Galt Hospital, and in 1967 re-opened as the Sir Alexander Galt Museum. The Historical Society ran the facitily until 1971, when on their recommendation it was taken over by the City of Lethbridge. In 1966 two publications of the Lethbridge Historical Society, booklets written by Alex Johnston on the Indian Battle of 1870 and On The Riverboat Era, launched an important part of the society's work - the publishing of historical material. Since then over 50 publications have been produced by the society as well as a bimonthly newsletter in circulation continously since 1967.It was the need for funds to support its publishing program that led the Lethbridge Historical Society to incorporate under the Provincial Societies Act on 19 March, 1987. The society required the legal status incorporation provided in order to secure grants and manage its own financial affairs. Since 1987, the Lethbridge Historical Society has continued to meet and publish information relevant to the study of the history of Lethbridge and southern Alberta. The society also organizes annual banquets, field trips to historic sites in southern Alberta, and the ALex Johnston Memorial Lecture Series, the society has also paced several markers at locations throughout the city documenting various apects of local history.

Acquisition Source

Lethbridge Historical Society

Scope and Content

President of the Lethbridge Historical Society Tracey Anderson presents historian Alex Johnston with a certificate.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19971082018

Collection

Archive

Less detail