Lethbridge Historical Society

The Southern Alberta branch of the Historical Society of Alberta. We are part of a long, proud history. The earliest society 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. In 1923, due to the community's concern for marking the memory of early coal miners such as Nicholas Sheran, the Historical Society was reorganized. It disappeared again in 1928 (after Nicholas Sheran's mine was recognized as a National Historic Event) 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 re-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 developed the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and was responsible for its operation until 1972 when it became too much for volunteers to operate and manage. The City of Lethbridge hired staff for the museum which were supported by historical society members. In 1986 (following Lethbridge's Centennial) the Society felt 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 Galt Museum & Archives. The Society maintains an office and its book inventory at the museum and our members volunteer on a regular basis. Publishing is a special focus of chapter and has been a concentration for 35 years. The Society has published over 50 books on the history of southwestern Alberta. The Lethbridge Historical Society has embarked on a program of placing plaques and monuments in Lethbridge and across southern Alberta to mark special buildings, sites and historic events and to honour important people of the past. The Society works with a number of public and private partners. The Society has representatives on the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Revitalization Committee (responsible for the downtown) and the City of Lethbridge's Heritage Advisory Committee.