A unique perspective on economic and social history of Lethbridge and area in the form of Henry Schwartz and Sons Ltd. business records, World Citizens Centre organizational records and Tracey Anderson research papers is now available at the Galt Museum & Archives, following the completion of the “Real Estate, Agriculture & Activism in Southern Alberta” archival project.

Galt Archivist Andrew Chernevych says the newly processed records “are undoubtedly among the most valuable additions to the Galt Archives because of their historical significance, completeness and large number of records; researchers of Alberta history will benefit from getting access to these materials.”

The project, supported by an Access to Holdings grant from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation (through the Archives Society of Alberta), as well as the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, made possible the hiring of University of Lethbridge History and Museum Studies graduate Jennifer Vanderfluit to process the materials.

Vanderfluit, who graduated from the U of L in 2012, describes the work in a March 27, 2013 post on the Galt Museum blog. “I spent a lot of time unfolding pages, removing rusty pins and cleaning the moldy documents with a brush and HEPA mask, which probably looked like something from a science fiction movie,” she says. “This project was full of the most amazing things. Some of my favourites are pre-WWII passports from central Europe, blueprints for the College Mall Theatre, and the set of job resumes where the female applicants listed their height, weight, hair and eye colour.”

The experience helped Vanderfluit develop her career goal of becoming a professional archivist. She has recently been accepted at the Master of Archival Studies program at the University of British Columbia, the most renowned archival school in North America.

Information on the Galt Archives and the newly processed collections is available on the Galt Museum & Archives website: www.galtmuseum.com where they can be accessed through the online database.

BACKGROUNDER

HENRY SCHWARTZ & SONS LTD.

For years, the Schwartz name was synonymous with real estate in the Lethbridge area. Henry Schwartz started in the land business in 1927 by working for the Canadian Pacific Railway’s colonization department, placing central European immigrants on farms and ranches in the Lethbridge area. In the 1930s, Schwartz diversified into real estate, insurance, appraisals and mortgages. After his two sons joined the business, the firm was renamed Henry Schwartz and Sons. This collection includes business correspondence, financial records, reports, registries, etc. from 1929 to 1972.

DUNCAN TRACY ANDERSON

Duncan “Tracy” Anderson was an agricultural engineer at the Lethbridge Research Centre and an internationally renowned specialist in dry-land tillage and erosion control. He was also an active member of the Lethbridge Historical Society and independent researcher into the history and use of agricultural machinery on the Canadian prairies. The collection consists of manuscripts, articles, drafts of papers and speeches, correspondence, reports, and other materials.

WORLD CITIZENS CENTRE

Founded in 1978, this non-profit organization worked to increase public awareness and individual understanding of the links between Canadians and Third World peoples. The WCC dealt with such issues as human rights, environment, disarmament and others. Its services included a reading and viewing room, a collection of print and media materials, programs for schools and community organizations. The materials include minutes, agendas, financial statements and promotional materials from 1978 to 2000.