City as Arboretum
Edmonton is a unique blend of indigenous and introduced species. As a sprawling city that contains eighteen-thousand acres of river-valley,…
Latest Stories
Pondering Pehonan
In amiskwaciwaskahikan (Edmonton), when you examine the current state of Indigenous relations, initiatives and heritage, one cannot help but be…
In Dark Times, Go to the Garden: Part 1
Plans are afoot for spring. Sunday was spent scouring the glossy pages full of roots and blossoms in a favourite…
Exhibits
Armistice 100: Edmonton & the First World War
Alberta was a young province when war was declared in August 1914. Many Edmontonians were involved in the First World War despite the action taking place abroad.
Featured Collection
After the Pisces Bathhouse Raid: A Reflection on the 40th Anniversary
Early in the morning on May 30, 1981, the Pisces Health Spa was raided by RCMP and Edmonton Police. Fifty-six men were arrested for being “found-ins” in a “common bawdy house,” and three were charged with being “keepers of a common bawdy house.” The subsequent court proceedings, media coverage, and ensuing activism had an enormous impact on Edmonton’s LGBTQ2S+ community and the individuals involved.
On the 40th anniversary of the raid, award-winning playwright, author, and LGBTQ historian Darrin Hagen reflects on the event and captures the emotional personal stories of some of the men involved.
After the Pisces Bathhouse Raid: John Kerr – Dance for Gramma
In the years before John Reid launched his career as owner of Flashback, Edmonton’s first gay disco, he worked cleaning…
After the Pisces Bathhouse Raid: Michael Phair – LGBTQ2S+ Activist and Community Leader
As of this writing, Michael is one of the few men charged as a “found-in” to speak publicly on the…
After the Pisces Bathhouse Raid: Dr. Henri Toupin – Dignity in the Eye of the Storm
Henri Toupin was born in Legal, Alberta, on March 15, 1923. He acquired his B.Sc. in 1947 from the University…
Featured Collection
Indigenous Perspectives
Indigenous Peoples have lived, travelled, and cared for the land now known as Edmonton since time immemorial. Their deep seated past and resiliency continues to shape the history of this place. In this collection, uncover Indigenous perspectives historically excluded from the story of Edmonton.
Pondering Pehonan
In amiskwaciwaskahikan (Edmonton), when you examine the current state of Indigenous relations, initiatives and heritage, one cannot help but be…
The Curious Case of the 1908 Enoch Surrender
At the time of Treaty No. 6, much change and settlement was taking place in the West, with displacement and…
Amiskwaciwâskahikan Ostêsimâwasinahikan Nikotwâsik
Throughout Indigenous territories, histories, cultures and stories, there exist a number of locations that hold a special significance, apart from…
Featured Collection
Jane’s Walk 2021: Neighbourhood Histories
History isn’t something that exists somewhere else or “over there” or only in the middle of the city. You can find history in the places you pass by every day! Grab your bike, car or walking shoes and discover some history in your own neighbourhood! Explore a map of these stories here.
Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium: The Crown Jewel in Coronation Park
Royal Beginnings Coronation Park is a 35-hectare park in west central Edmonton. It was named to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953…
The Starlite Drive-In Theatre in Jasper Place
The concept of a drive-in theatre was first experimented in 1933 in New Jersey, though it soon spread to Canada…
Walking Back in Time: A Stroll Through my 1960s Jasper Place
This past year, while staying close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic and enjoying more neighborhood walks, my thoughts have…