Photo courtesy of the Esplanade Archives - The Saskatchewan Brewery - the city's first - pictured here circa 1900.

By Alex McCuaig

City's oral history

Sounds of the past paint picture of city’s history

Aug 26, 2019 | 12:39 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – There is a lot to see at the city’s archives but it’s hearing the voices of the past which can paint a full picture of Medicine Hat’s history.

The Esplanade Archives and its preceding organizations have collected oral histories of Hatters going back to the establishment of the municipality – on vinyl records, reel-to-reel tape, audio cassettes and now digitally.

City archivist Philip Pype says these oral histories provide an unfiltered view of the past.

“Oral histories are an excellent account of the stories of Medicine Hat. They are those first-person accounts of telling those stories of Medicine Hat, the actual experiences, the opinions. They are not filtered formal reports or newspapers,” said Pype.

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And the individuals who have provided these interviews are from across the spectrum of time and backgrounds, added Pype.

“For example, a 1950s recording Duncan Sanderson talking about being born in Medicine Hat in 1882 before there was a settlement to Sam Young – also known as Happy – an oral history where he talks of coming to Medicine Hat and the Chinese restaurants operating here.”

Laurel Schlaht, volunteer with the Historical Society of Medicine Hat and District, said the stories not only offer a glimpse into the past but a message for those living in the present.

“Life was so different – and how they overcame adversity. There is a lot of hopeful stories and stories of inspiration,” said Schlaht. “I think we need to hear that there is always hope and how people progress and never give up.”

The Historical Society will be hosting its final Living History Presentation Series on Saturday at the Esplanade.

Full details can be found by visiting the Esplanade Archives.