Stephansson House near Red Deer. (Stephansson House Facebook)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

20 Provincially-Operated Sites

Albertans encouraged to explore province’s history this summer

May 19, 2022 | 9:54 AM

Alberta’s provincial historic sites, museums and archives are kicking off their summer season with special programming, events and activities.

For the first time since 2019, government officials say all 20 of Alberta’s provincially operated sites will reopen to welcome visitors. From fossils to the fur trade, poets to perogies and ammolite to airplanes, Alberta’s unique heritage is expected to come to life with entertaining, interactive and educational experiences for everyone.

“From north to south, from Fort McMurray’s Oil Sands Discovery Centre to Drumheller’s Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology – you don’t have to travel far to discover something of interest in our beautiful province,” said Ron Orr, Minister of Culture.

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A wide range of new and returning events and programs are anticipated to offer fun ways for everyone to get involved.

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• See creative adaptations of vehicles from years past at the Royal Alberta Museum’s feature exhibition, DRIVE: Reimagining the Ride. Even better, express your own creativity with hands-on family fun in the Tinker Garage with new activities every month.
• Learn more about the history of Ukrainian settlement in Alberta at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, east of Edmonton, by exploring historic buildings on opening weekend. On Victoria Day, the Celebration of Dance event will highlight the colourful mosaic of Ukrainian dance with performances from Volya! Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Viter Ukrainian Dancers and other dance groups from across the province.
• Explore Historic Dunvegan, near Fairview, with guided tours of the Revillon Frères fur trade store, the Hudson’s Bay Company Factor’s House and the St. Charles Catholic Mission Rectory and Church.
• Sign your children up for a day of fun and scientific discovery at the science camps at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray.
• Discover the history of water transportation and the fur trade highways of Alberta in the new exhibit opening at Fort George and Buckingham House, close to the town of Elk Point.
• Catch the Prairie Royalty exhibit at the Provincial Archives of Alberta in Edmonton before it closes on May 31 and stay tuned for their new art exhibit opening in July.

Most seasonal historic sites are reopening May 18, with select sites opening later in May. Confirm the opening dates and hours of operation by visiting each provincial historic site and museum’s website.

Purchase the Explore Alberta’s History Pass

The Experience Alberta’s History Pass will be available for purchase starting May 18. This pass offers an affordable way to visit all sites for an unlimited number of times in one year. It is available for youth, seniors, adults and families.

The Experience Alberta’s History Pass will be available for purchase at these historic sites and museums:

• Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Historic Dunvegan
• Oil Sands Discovery Centre
• Remington Carriage Museum
• Reynolds-Alberta Museum
• Royal Alberta Museum
• Royal Tyrrell Museum
• Rutherford House
• Stephansson House
• Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
• Provincial Archives of Alberta