Celebrating Alberta during Tourism Week
For first-time visitors or those exploring their backyard, Postmedia’s Alanna Smith describes some opportunities to learn about the province’s rich history and vast beauty.
GROUNDS FOR DISCOVERY
Most people are familiar with the Tyrannosaurus rex and the Triceratops, but this year the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s new exhibit Grounds for Discovery will reveal a brand-new species of dinosaur. Visitors can also explore the personal stories and specimens that have been discovered due to the museum’s collaboration with diverse industries in the province, such as oil and gas, mining, wind turbine development and more.
WHERE WE CAME FROM
At the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, just 30 minutes east of Edmonton, visitors will learn about the lives of early Ukrainian pioneers who suffered hardships and celebrated triumphs in eastern Alberta from 1892 to 1930. The featured exhibit this summer is called Where We Came From and shares stories of Alberta families as understood by the youngest generations.
CAMPING IN ALBERTA’S NATIONAL PARKS
If there’s anything Alberta is known for, it’s beautiful national parks. Places such as Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes are popular tourist destinations and great camping spots with mountains, lakes and activities surrounding the sites. Stop at the new Glacier Skywalk on your way into Jasper or take in the sights of Kananaskis Country on your way to Banff. No matter where you travel, the province is beaming with natural beauty.
THE MCLAUGHLIN STORY
This two-part exhibit opened May 20 at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin and the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston. Both museums tell the story of Alberta’s McLaughlin family, who worked as humble axe handle-makers before becoming the largest carriage builder in the British Empire, which later become General Motors of Canada. Reynolds-Alberta will feature a collection of McLaughlin and McLaughlin-Buick vehicles, while Remington shows the carriage side of the story.
LET JUSTICE BE DONE: THE ALBERTA PROVINCIAL POLICE
As the nation celebrates 150 years, the Provincial Archives of Alberta will be commemorating a milestone as well — 50 years of preserving Alberta’s history. The new exhibit Let Justice Be Done allows visitors a glimpse at the disbanded provincial police force that protected the province from 1917 to 1932. The former force, much like those found in Quebec and Ontario today, built a strong reputation in the early 20th century.