Description Level

Item

Creator

Galt Museum and Archives

Physical Description

9 cm x 12.7 cm black and white photographic print

History Biographical

In October 1888, a Scientific and Historical Society was formed in Lethbridge. There was some talk of preserving records but the emphasis was mostly on bi-weekly meetings at which papers were presented. In 1944 Walter Gurney opened Lethbridge's first museum - a private museum in the former Board of Trade building. Gurney amassed a collection of oddities and curios. When the building closed, a majority of the artifacts went on display at the private Altamont Museum in Coutts, Alberta. In 1963, the City acquired the Bowman Elementary School and provided the space to the Lethbridge Historical Society. In 1965, the first civic museum opened its doors in Lethbridge. George McKillop was the museum's first curator. It quickly outgrew its space, and relocated to the former Galt Hospital. After considerable renovation, the Sir Alexander Galt Museum opened its doors in 1967. The Lethbridge and District Historical Society operated the museum with volunteers until 1971. Through the efforts of many people, the Galt Museum was placed in the Urban Parks program in the early 1980s and expanded once more. Reopened in 1984, new gallery space and expanded storage space allowed the museum to develop new programs and temporary exhibits, and to care for its collections in a manner that meets accepted standards of museum practice. In September 2004 the Galt Museum moved its offices and collections off-site to facilitate a second expansion which reopened on May 6, 2006. Today, The Galt Museum & Archives in Lethbridge is an established cultural leader in southern Alberta, having contributed to the fabric of the region since the 1967. Its consistently high-caliber, award-winning exhibits and learning opportunities have drawn over 50,000 visitors a year. Extensive collections, professionally administered archives and a variety of ongoing interpretive programs and events ensure that people are compelled to keep coming back to make that important connection between themselves and their regional history. Though the museum and its collections are owned by the City of Lethbridge, the facility is governed by a City-appointed volunteer Board of Governors. The Galt is respected in Alberta’s museum community, has a growing national profile, and is committed to international museum standards. In 2008, 244 volunteers donated 8,075 hours of time and talents to enhance the work of ten full-time and eight part-time staff. The Galt is well respected in Alberta's museum community, has a growing national profile and is committed to international museum standards. The archives contain an extensive collection of information on the human history of Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta. Today, the museum cares for well over 17,000 artifacts and more than 1 million archival documents and photographs. These collections continue to grow. The history of Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta can be explored through the Galt's rotating world-class exhibits, special events, and school and community programs. The Galt Museum Store offers visitors a selection of historic publications and other unique local and retro gifts. Volunteers donate their time and talents to enhance the work of museum staff. Source: Galt Museum & Archives website.

Scope and Content

Kevin MacLean, standing, shows Jason Carroll a gas mask in the Galt Collections vault.

Accession No.

20211055161

Collection

Archive

Less detail