Material Type

Manuscript

Date Range

1966-2004

Physical Description

0.96 m of textual records; 21 photographs; 6 maps

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 historical 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, although 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 instigation 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 build a replica 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 facility 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 placed several markers at locations throughout the city documenting various apects of local history.

Acquisition Source

Lethbridge Historical Society

Scope and Content

2011.1093/001 Membership lists, correspondence, financials 1979 2011.1093/002 Financials, membership lists 1981-1982 2011.1093/003 Minutes, Friends of Alex Johnston Lecture Series 1989-1990 2011.1093/004 Membership, financials, correspondence 1980-1981 2011.1093/005 Financials, correspondence 1965-1976 2011.1093/006 Pamphlet on Sixth Avenue Bridge 1975 2011.1093/007 Membership lists, correspondence, publications list 1974-1975 2011.1093/008 Correspondence, disbursements, membership lists 1974 2011.1093/009 NWMP Conference 1974 2011.1093/010 Correspondence, financials, membership lists 1973-1974 2011.1093/011 Correspondence, membership lists 1972 2011.1093/012 Correspondence, membership lists 1971 2011.1093/013 Correspondence 2001-2002 2011.1093/014 Annual report of the Historical Society of Alberta 1997-1998 2011.1093/015 Financials 1989-1990 2011.1093/016 Membership lists, correspondence 1984-1985 2011.1093/017 Membership lists 1983-1984 2011.1093/018 Membership lists 1985-1986 2011.1093/019 Centennial book project 1985 2011.1093/020 Correspondence, financials 1988 2011.1093/021 Financials, books inventory 1979-1984 2011.1093/022 Blood Indian Reserve resource material 2011.1093/023 Lethbridge Place Names list 2011.1093/024 Fort Whoop-Up Strategic plan 1988 2011.1093/025 RCMP Centennial Calendar 1973 2011.1093/026 Unemployment insurance contribution book for Ernest Kovas 1969 2011.1093/027 Galt Museum handbook 1986 2011.1093/028 Membership list 1998 2011.1093/029 Financial report, book inventory, executive meeting minutes, correspondence 1997 2011.1093/030 Financials, notices, executive meeting minutes 2000-2001 2011.1093/031 Minutes, correspondence, clippings, membership list 1959-1965 2011.1093/032 Membership lists, minutes, correspondence, clippings 1966 2011.1093/033 Correspondence, book orders 1966-1967 2011.1093/034 Membership lists, correspondence 1968 2011.1093/035 Correspondence, membership lists 1969 2011.1093/036 Membership lists, correspondence, Fort Whoop-Up opening 1970 2011.1093/037 Correspondence 1999-2001 2011.1093/038 President’s papers 1988-1990 2011.1093/039 NWMP committee correspondence 1973-1974 2011.1093/040 Information leaflets for society use 1966-1967; 1969 2011.1093/041 Publications 1976 2011.1093/042 Correspondence, report on cooperating societies 1977-1978 2011.1093/043 Correspondence 1979 2011.1093/044 Membership lists, Historical Society of Alberta minutes, bylaws 2011.1093/045 Membership lists, financials, Historical Society of Alberta 1979 2011.1093/046 Lethbridge Centennial Time Capsule 1985 2011.1093/047 Chapter incorporation 1985-1986 2011.1093/048 Photographs, correspondence, minutes, financials, 17 photographs, 1992-1993 2011.1093/049 Correspondence 1990-1991 2011.1093/050 Membership lists, correspondence, financials, publications of others, 1999-2000 2011.1093/051 Membership lists, correspondence 1993-1994 2011.1093/052 Membership lists, financials, minutes, publication guidelines, agendas, The Cornerstone, 1993-1995 2011.1093/053 Financials, membership lists 1998-1999 2011.1093/054 Financials, membership lists 1991-1992 2011.1093/055 Financials, correspondence 1996-1997 2011.1093/056 Financials, membership lists 1995-1996 2011.1093/057 Membership lists, minutes, agendas 2002-2003 2011.1093/058 Financials, Historical Society of Alberta annual report 2003-2004 2011.1093/059 Photographs, copies of maps four photographs no date 2011.1093/060 Maps no date

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20111093

Collection

Archive

Less detail