The Lethbridge Historical Society serves the area from Nanton south to the United States border.
Address: P.O. Box 974, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4A2

History

The Lethbridge Branch of the Historical Society of Alberta was first formed in 1888 as a Scientific and Historical Society. This group met bi-monthly where "papers" were read. The Society disappeared in the 1890's and then in 1923, due to the community's concern for marking the memory of Nicholas Sheran and other early mining pioneers, the Historical Society was reorganized. It disappeared again in 1928 but was resurrected in 1935 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lethbridge. When the successful celebration ended, so did the historical organization.

In 1958, the Lethbridge City Council took the lead to get a Society organized as they were concerned at the lack of a museum and archives in the city and felt an historical society was the logical group to undertake development of such a facility. The Society was registered as The Whoop-Up Country Chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta. The organization was active in the Museum's development and its operation until 1972 when it became too much for volunteers to operate and manage.

In 1986 the Society felt that it should be reincorporated as a chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta. Our name changed to Lethbridge Historical Society at that time.

The Lethbridge Historical Society maintains a working relationship with the Sir Alexander Galt Museum & Archives. The Society maintains an office and storage of books at the museum and our members volunteer on a regular basis.

Regular general meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday in October, January, March, and April with a program following each.  Tours of regional sites of interest are organized in Spring and/or Fall. The Society's annual general meeting is held on the 4th Tuesday in November and its Annual Banquet on the 4th Tuesday of February.

Publishing is a special focus of chapter and has been a concentration for 33 years.  To see a listing of currently available titles with details and prices click Publications.

More recently, the chapter has embarked on placing historic markers.

Special events are announced on our Events page.

Council Members

President: Belinda Crowson

Vice President: Gary Allison

Secretary: Marion Snowden

Newsletter Editor: Irma Dogterom

Treasurer: David J. Dowey

Past President: Jean Johnstone

Council Members:
Irma Dogterom
Helen Kovacs
William (Bill) Lingard
Lana Lonseth
Sheila McManus
Alan Thompson

Membership:
Pat Brown
Marion Snowden

Publishing:
Garry Allison

Book Distribution and Sales:
Carleton R. Stewart