On December 5, 1947, a small group of local citizens interested in the early history of Medicine Hat met in the home of the City’s mayor, Mr. Hector Lang. Those present included Mr. and Mrs. Lang, Mrs. M. Miller, Mr. T. Bassett, Mr. A. McColeman, Mr. and Mrs. T. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hargrave and Mrs. Michael. A motion to form the Historical Society was proposed and carried. At the next meeting, on January 29, 1949, an executive was elected:
Chairman – Hector Lang
Vice-Chairman – Tom Murray
Secretary – Hope Michael Treasurer – Mort FultonProvincial Representative – Heather MurrayMembers joined and paid annual dues of $1 per year. Volunteers started compiling historical information on the early settlers and progress of the Medicine Hat district. As the public began donating artifacts and documents, it became evident that a museum was needed. At the meeting on September 9 of that year, a “Committee on Museums” was established with May Laidlaw as Committee Head. Two months later, on November 18, 1949, a motion was passed to build or acquire an old-timer’s cabin to house the artifacts that were accumulating.A small “pioneer cabin” was constructed in Riverside Park using logs from the Cypress Hills. This first museum opened in 1951. Donations of $25 per pioneer family ensured their name and year of arrival was branded on outer logs of the museum. Volunteer Historical Society members ran the museum.The site in the park offered little room for expansion and the museum was closed in 1954. A Museum Society was incorporated to undertake the next step. Relocated to the junction of Highways No. 1 and 3 and expanded to three times the original size, the log structure was re-opened in 1957. However, the building was not heated, had no facilities and was very difficult to keep clean. In 1964, the Society applied for centennial funds to build a new brick building on the same site. The log building was demolished with only the branded logs saved for an interior display. The new Medicine Hat and District Museum opened in 1967. The City of Medicine Hat, through the Museum and Art Gallery Foundation, took over the operation of the building. Significant additions to the Museum were made in 1972, in 1978 (the National Exhibition Centre) and in 1988, when the existing building was also renovated and a separate archives established.
In 1998 the Museum and Art Gallery became a department of Cultural Development within the City of Medicine Hat and discussions began regarding relocation of the facilities. A fund-raising campaign culminated in the opening of the Esplanade, a combined arts and heritage centre, in 2005. The Historical Society of Medicine Hat and District continues today to support the museum and the preservation of the history of our corner of Alberta.
First Vice-President: Carol O’Brien
Second Vice-President: George Willcocks
Secretary: Judy Morris
Treasurer: Jean Phelps
Board of Directors 2009-2010
Jan Barnes, Allan Jensen, Ian McLaughlin, Judy Morris, Jean Phelps, Malcolm Sissons, Alan Waller, George Wilcocks, Carol O’Brien, Mitchell Strachan, Angela Stubbs
i am trying to locate as much information as I can regarding my Grandfather William Worrall. My father, Sidney was born in Minot, but he lived in Medicine Hat until his mother died in approximately 1912. I have an original picture taken of the family farm which I would be happy to share with the historical society. I am planning a trip to Medicine Hat in July, I would like to do as much research as possible before I make the trip. Any advice as this point???
Jerry,
sorry for the slow response to your inquiry. We have some good resources in Medicine Hat. The local genealogical society is quite active. There is also a searchable cemetery database on the City website. The Medicine Hat Library has many resources as does the Medicine Hat Archives. The Historical Society itself is not really organized to do family research. Let me know how you would like to proceed.
Malcolm Sissons
Webmaster.
i am researching my family history and know that a great aunt and uncle left england for medine hat in the early 1900s do you know how i can find out about their lives once they arrived?
Nick,
If they died here, they might be buried in our cemetery. The listings are online through medicinehat.ca.
There might be references to them in the Medicine Hat Archives which can be searched online.
Finally, there are the Henderson directories at the Medicine Hat Public Library.
THese would give you a start.
Regards
Malcolm Sissons, webmaster
Thank you for the inquiry. The best source of information for older (pre 1960) houses in the city is the inventory sponsored by the Historical Society. You can consult a copy at the Medicine Hat Archives in the Esplanade. It will give you answers to most of the questions you are asking about. Is it Div and First N or S of the river?
Regards
Malcolm SIssons
webmaster for the Historical Society
Elaine,
Sorry for the slow response. The Historical Society has an inventory of all homes in the city built before 1960 and the survey can be consulted at the Medicine Hat archives. I know that area and I am trying to visualize which house that might be. Can you advise if that is FIrst St. N or S?
Thanks.
Malcolm Sissons, Webmaster