‘A person is a better citizen of the place where they live if they know about its past’
A whole 10 per cent bigger than the Calgary Stampede, the 11-day Historic Calgary Week celebrates the rich history within the city and region.
Put together by the Chinook Country Historical Society along with dozens of partner organizations, the week grants Calgarians an opportunity to learn about history, culture and community through free events.
There are 88 different walks, talks, tours and presentations taking place throughout the city from July 26 to Aug. 5. This year also marks 34 years of the annual event.
“It’s great to be able to bring such a devoted and interested group of history lovers together and give them all a vehicle for celebrating our history,” said Walt DeBoni, who’s been part of the event for over 18 years.
Over the years it has grown from just a few events on one day to “11 days worth of history” said DeBoni, who is also a member of the Chinook Country Historical Society.
This year’s theme celebrates “Community Builders,” the people and organizations that make Calgary — and Alberta — one of the best places to live on earth.
DeBoni says some of their events fill up quickly, particularly walking tours that are often limited to 30 or 40 people.
Many of the speaking events are held in the performance hall at the Central Library and Knox United Church, which can accommodate more people.
“Most of the ones if you look at the the description, if you don’t have to register, it’s a large facility and you don’t need to register because we can accept a large number,” he said.
Downtown cultural hub to be celebrated
DeBoni is particularly excited about several events surrounding the downtown cultural hub this year on Aug. 1, including the TELUS Convention Centre, Glenbow Museum, Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza.
“Around that corner where you have the convention center, Arts Commons, the Glenbow and Olympic Plaza — that corner has been a cultural hub for Calgary for decades,” he said.
In terms of the crowd that comes out for the various events, DeBoni said they get “everything”.
“From people who have been coming to these events every year for a decade or two . . . to newcomers, we welcome everybody.”
Historian to hold two events, hopes for more heritage preservation
Historian Harry Sanders is hosting two events over the 11-day Historic Calgary Week — a walking tour of the Fairmont Palliser Hotel and a talk about the “dynamic” history of Marda Loop and how it intersects with the history of the Jewish community in Calgary.
His walking tour is already fully booked, but Sanders says he will be hosting a speaking event for the Chinook Country Historical Society next January regarding the hotel.
In regard to history, Sanders said, “For one thing, it’s interesting, it’s entertaining . . . so it has its own value, apart from any practical utility.”
“I think a person is a better citizen of the place where they live if they know about its past,” he said. “For good or for bad, I mean, we don’t celebrate history — we seek to understand it.
“It helps to make a better city and a better region and a better province if we know about its past.”
Sanders’ knowledge of the historic hotel stems from his book ‘Fairmont Palliser, The Story of Calgary’s Most Iconic Hotel‘, which he has been working on since 1989 and just published this year.
His talk on Marda Loop will be based on a historic context paper he’s working on for the Marda Loop Business Improvement Area and Heritage Calgary.
One of Sanders’ dearest hopes is that events like Historic Calgary Week lead to more heritage preservation.
“The city is richer with old buildings in it, with old landscapes in it — if all you see is what’s new, I think it’s a poor experience,” he said.
— With files from Eric Volmers and Postmedia