Newest Galt exhibit explores neighbourhoods of Lethbridge
Lethbridge has always had its share of local neighbourhood organizations and geographically centred community groups which have aided greatly in the development of the city by advocating for improvements in their home areas. The Galt Museum and Archives latest exhibit “Places and Traces” pays tribute to the neighbourhoods of Lethbridge, and the citizens who help shape them.
“Places and Traces is about the complex and rich layers that build up in places over time,” says Galt Museum curator Aimee Benoit. “Places are dynamic and they are always changing, and we see those traces from previous layers that always continue. I think that’s what makes places really special and unique.”
“This is the chance to tell the story of some of these neighbourhoods,” concurs Lethbridge Historical Society president Belinda Crowson, who was on hand for the media launch of the new exhibit on Thursday. “When they developed, why they developed, what makes them different, but also how people of these neighbourhoods have affected and influenced (the development and growth) of the neighbourhoods. Those stories remind us of how people can influence their community in very passionate ways.”
While the exhibit does focus on history, it is also about how we view our neighbourhoods and community ties today, says Benoit.
“The exhibit recognizes that even though we live in a very globalized society, those local connections we have to place are still really important for people,” she says. “Part of the project was to go out and interview people about what makes their neighbourhood special, and people with various communities all around the city shared with me that do have really close connections with their neighbours. They have things like block parties, barbecues and picnics in the summer — those kinds of things are still of value to people.”
A fascinating part of the exhibit also focuses on the “traces” side of things. Even when neighbourhoods have been massively redeveloped over the years, says Benoit, there are still sometimes surprising remnants of past incarnations that survive.
“In the Glendale-Dieppe area, for example,” she says, “before that was developed out it was small, agricultural holdings and there was an asparagus farm located in that area. People still talk about finding asparagus growing in their yards or in that area. Unless you knew that was once farmland, and an asparagus farm, that might be something that you would see and really wonder about. We have traces of these past layers and uses all over the place that still continue even now.”
“Places and Traces” runs until to Sept. 8 at the Galt Museum and Archives.