For many decades, the T. Eaton Company (later just “Eaton’s”) was a major catalogue supplier.

ArticleAvery RaineDecember 27, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesChristmas, Eaton's, Catalogue, Winter, Gifts, Shopping, Mail, OrderComment

Watch Your Phraseology

Frequent travellers may be familiar with phrase books—dictionaries used during a trip to communicate in basic sentences, even if you don’t understand the local language. You may not know, however, just how far back these tools date!

ArticleAvery RaineDecember 20, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesLethbridge, History, history, History This Week, history this week, Lethbridge history, Archives, Archival, research, Local Research, local research, Local History, local historyComment

Research Your Genealogy with the Galt Museum & Archives

With so many online platforms popping up around family history and DNA research, it’s clear that interest in the field of genealogy is increasing. And in part due to the pandemic, the online accessibility of other genealogical materials has increased dramatically as well. Despite all of these great online resources, to get a full picture of your family history you will eventually need to step foot into an archive to view important documents and photos in person. This can be a daunting idea if you have never visited an archive or don’t know how to access one. But it’s actually quite easy!

ArticleBobbie FoxNovember 28, 2022Lethbridge, History, history, History This Week, history this week, Lethbridge history, family history research, Archives, Archival, Family History, research, Local Research, local research, Local History, local historyComment

Fort Whoop-Up: A New Take on an Old Subject

People and historic events are not frozen in time; they can be researched and explored through new ways of thinking—Fort Whoop-Up and its legacy are no exception.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)November 15, 2022Lethbridge, History, history, History This Week, history this week, Lethbridge history, Fort Whoop-Up, Fort, Trading, Interpretation, interpretation, Fort Hamilton, Whisky, Niitsitapi, BlackfootComment

Galt Gardens Through the Years

Galt Gardens is one of the oldest green spaces in Lethbridge, established when the plans for the downtown were laid out over one hundred years ago. This area in the city core—between 1 and 3 Avenues and 5 and 7 Streets—was set aside by the Galt family in 1885 as a central square for the new urban centre.

ArticleAndrew ChernevychNovember 1, 2022Galt Gardens, The Galts, Lethbridge, Downtown Lethbridge, History, history, History This Week, history this week, Lethbridge historyComment

Lethbridge’s Hidden Coffee House Gem: The Inn Purple

The Inn Purple was a coffee house for young adults that was open from 1967 to 1968 in Lethbridge. It was a place where teens and young adults could go to hang out, listen to music and dance without drugs, alcohol or their parents.

ArticleBobbie FoxOctober 14, 2022Archives, Exhibit, Exhibition, history, Lethbridge, Downtown, Downtown Lethbridge, Inn Purple, Exhibitions, Exhibits, exhibits, exhibit, Coffee, Music Comment

How Have Trees Shaped Lethbridge History?

When we think of local history, trees aren’t necessarily what come to mind. But trees help create a sense of community identity and have brought people together in unique ways.

ArticleTyler StewartOctober 12, 2022Galt Museum & Archivestrees, Exhibit, nature, history, Exhibition, Curation, Curator, Curatorial, curator, Niitsitapi, Cottonwood, Blackfoot, Culture, RootedComment

The MacDonald Block

The MacDonald Block is one of few buildings that have held a vintage advertisement and withstood the test of time. One hundred and twenty-five years’ worth of local business have held a place in this building at 302 5 Street South.

ArticleAndrew ChernevychJuly 26, 2022Galt Museum & Archivessouthern Alberta, City, City of Lethbridge, City Planning, MacDonald Block, Lethbridge, Downtown, Downtown Lethbridge, Lethbridge historic buildings, building preservation, Lethbridge Buildings, Building, historic buildings in Lethbridge, historic buildingsComment

A Passion for Trees—a Galt Museum mini-documentary

The life of an arborist is never dull, but what exactly does an arborist do? Learn some of the specifics from Lethbridge’s only female certified arborist Maureen Sexsmith-West and how she’s fostering the next generation of women in urban forestry to care for our local trees.

VideosGalt Museum & ArchivesJuly 22, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesRooted, Trees, Arborist, LethbridgeComment

100 Years Back: Rodeo Innovator from Southern Alberta

Our region is known for its long-standing rodeo tradition. What you probably didn’t know is that it was Raymond’s own Earl Bascom who invented the hornless bronc saddle—a more efficient and safer saddle that is still used in rodeo competitions today.

ArticleAndrew ChernevychJuly 12, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesStories, Documentary History, Rodeo, southern Alberta history, Southern Alberta, southern Alberta, Southern Alberta Foothills, Raymond, ranching, Earl Bascom, Archival, ArchivesComment

Over the Years: How Transit Encourages Access to Lethbridge Culture

Public transit is an ever-evolving part of life within the local community, and free or inexpensive access to local culture is crucial. Much like the streetcar initiative over a century ago, an innovative transit project called cultureLINK is launching in Lethbridge this summer.

Making History Today

Oki. A relatively small Blackfoot word—however it is packed with meaning and cultural significance. The word can mean many things in English including: ‘hello’, ‘greetings’ and ‘welcome’.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)June 16, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesMuseums, Lethbridge, Reconciliation, Gathering Place, Inclusion, Mission, Vision, Indigenous, Oki, TipiComment

Blacksmithing at Fort Whoop-Up with William Baliko

William Baliko demonstrates how blacksmiths like William Gladstone would have made a knife at the fort in the late 1800s.

Online Presentation, VideosGraham RuttanMay 31, 2022Fort Whoop-UpFort Whoop-Up, Blacksmith, CraftComment

100 Years Back: Naming Southern Alberta

Have you ever driven through a town and wondered how it got its name? There’s more than a few peculiar stories behind the names of southern Alberta towns.

ArticleAndrew ChernevychMay 17, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesNaming, Place Names, Southern Alberta, southern Alberta history, southern Alberta, City Planning, CityComment

A Century of Making Images in Lethbridge

This year, A.E. Cross Studio, the oldest continuously operated photographic studio in Lethbridge, celebrates its centennial.

ArticleAndrew ChernevychMay 3, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesPhotography, Local Business, Lethbrigde, Archives, Archival, Stories, Family Album, Photos, Images, Documentary HistoryComment

Indigenous Curators

The Galt hosts Indigenous-led exhibitions and in-house exhibitions that incorporate Indigenous voices, history and perspectives. Learn about previous and current exhibits from Kalli Eagle Speaker.

Article, Indigenous HistoryKalli Eagle SpeakerApril 19, 2022Niitsitapi, Blackfoot, Indigenous, Métis, Curatorial, Curator, Exhibitions, Exhibit, Calendar, Beadwork, Kainaiwa Beadwork, Lethbridge Eats, Breathe.Comment

The Galt’s Re-Centre and Re-Define Plan

The Board and staff critically reflected on the services the museum and fort provide to the community and examined new opportunities.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)April 5, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesStrategic Plan, Museums, Lethbridge, Reconciliation, truth, Redefining, Gathering Place, Inclusion, Mission, Vision, BoardComment

Spend a Little Time "With Georgia"

The Galt displayed two exhibits about different subjects in the winter, both featuring stories about Georgia Green Fooks’ life. Learn about the impact she had on southern Alberta.