Launched in 2013, the Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) is an initiative of the Edmonton Heritage Council exploring the history of our city through story.
Wallbridge and Imrie are having a moment
In 1950, Jean Wallbridge and Mary Imrie started Canada’s first all-female architectural firm. That partnership was trailblazing in its own right, but they were also romantic partners. The modernist houses, apartment buildings, and schools they designed around Alberta reflect an appreciation for nature, privacy, and the well-being of their users. Over the past month we’ve hosted two events to let Edmontonians get to know Wallbridge and Imrie a little better.
Explore the stories that connect us, the stories that divide us,
and the stories that nurture an appreciation of our differences as Edmontonians.
Featured Story
Maud Bowman: The leader who kickstarted the Art Gallery of Alberta
Danielle Siemens, November 19, 2024
“Maud Bowman oversaw all of the Museum’s early activities—including writing the constitution, organizing visiting artist lectures, mounting exhibitions, building an art collection and securing public space.”
– Danielle Siemens
With the Art Gallery of Alberta turning 100 years old, our latest ECAMP article looks back at the hidden labour behind its foundation. The AGA’s Danielle Siemens introduces us to the gallery’s first director, Maud Bowman.
The story shows Maud Bowman’s tenacity and personal sacrifices, like using her own funds to buy materials for children’s art classes when grants ran out. It also shows the sexism she faced in life and death.
Looking for information on sharing images from our collection?
Check out our info page On Images and Copyright
Collections
Browse our curated collections
ECAMP Stories explore the People, Places, Things, & Moments significant to our city from the perspectives of Edmontonians.
Delve into these curated story collections to discover more about the history of this place.
Special Exhibitions
Explore our curated exhibitions
Explore our three exhibits including Edmonton Living Rooms, Armistice, and Black Presence in Alberta. These exhibitions highlight significant people, places, things, and moments in our city’s history from unique perspectives.
Discover more about Edmonton through these rich, immersive exhibits.
Podcast
Listen to our ECAMP Podcast
Episodes of our past seasons are archived online. Stay tuned for our new season wherever you get your podcasts by subscribing!
Check out our upcoming in-person and online events
that bring our vibrant history and culture to life!
YEG Trivia Night at Canadian Brewhouse.
November 19, 2024, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Put your Edmonton knowledge to the test! The Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) presents an evening of local history trivia at Canadian Brewhouse (Downtown).
Discover the secrets, scandals, and surprising stories hiding in plain sight around our city. Shock your friends with random Edmonton facts for months to come.
Quizmasters: Chris Chang-Yen Phillips from ECAMP and local rogue Kristy Harcourt
Team Size: Up to 4 people per team
Cost: $5 per player
Theme: Edmonton Queer History
Prizes: Fabulous Edmonton-themed prizes to be won!
GLAD YOU CLOSER HOME /
NEW WHITE WHISKER MARY
September 20 – December 7, 2024
Mary Imrie (1918 – 1988) and Jean Wallbridge (1912 – 1979) operated their architecture firm—the first run by women in Canada—at Six Acres, the home they built for their work and life together overlooking the North Saskatchewan River in west Edmonton.
When Mary Imrie passed away, she bequeathed the records of their remarkable architectural practice and adventurous life, along with their home, to the province of Alberta.
With a title borrowed from a telegram in the collection, GLAD YOU CLOSER HOME / NEW WHITE WHISKER MARY is Cait McKinney and Hazel Meyer’s immersive exhibition that playfully imagines and speculates in the spaces between the correspondence, amateur super-8 recordings, and modernist buildings that Imrie and Wallbridge left behind.
*Artist Talk & Opening Reception, Thursday, September 19