Provincial Archives Of Alberta

Please note the Provincial Archives of Alberta will be closed on Monday, September 3rd for the Labour Day holiday.

An ocean of clouds seen from the Palisades with Roche de Smet to the right. A perfect way to cap our national parks series!
Rocky Mountains, Alberta (1960) Photo Number: A3075

Our national parks series continues today with a view of scenic Maligne Lake located in Jasper National Park – the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies spanning 11,000 square kilometers.
“Rocky Mountains, Alberta” (1938) Photo Number: A3088

Alberta is a land of breathtaking vistas and unequalled natural beauty. Here’s a photo from the vaults of a sunburst over Colin Range with the Athabasca River from the Palisades – one of the many photos in the vaults that capture the majesty of the national parks located in Alberta.
“Rocky Mountains, Alberta” (1960) Photo Number: A3083

Unlimited Admission! Unlimited Fun! Experience history all year long with an annual pass. Buy your Experience Alberta’s History Pass at the PAA (or through the online Archives Store)! This easy-to-use pass provides unlimited access for one year from the date of purchase and opens the door to the fascinating world of Alberta's rich history and culture. Family $120 Adult $50 Senior $40 ... Youth $30 Under 7 FREE Prices listed include GST. There’s a heritage facility near you Check out a listing of all heritage facilities operated by the Government of Alberta that you can visit with your annual pass!
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Imagine baking an elegant wedding cake like this one using a wood burning stove and no electric mixer! “Group Photograph with a Wedding Cake” (1900) Photo Number: A21389

Alberta voters made history on this day in 1935 by electing the first Social Credit government in Canadian history.
“Social Credit government” (August 22, 1935) Photo Number: A4754

The Edmonton International Fringe™ Theatre Festival is an annual festival produced by Fringe Theatre. Head to Old Strathcona and see a show or two. The Great Whorehouse Fire of 1921 draws on many historical records from the town of Big Valley and the PAA. This true story is reimagined with wit, sarcasm, and really good wigs. Get details here https://www.fringetheatre.ca/festival/sho ws/

It’s Media Monday! Here’s another film from the vaults…

Maps not only tell us where we are going, but also remind us of where we have been. This map of Africa was found folded up with three types of tape holding it together. The conservator painstakingly removed all the damaging tape and reassembled dozens of fragments using conservation grade materials. It can now be safely handled and stored flat without causing more damage or loss of information, allowing it to serve as a treasured memory for years to come.
For more information about conservation services, please contact the Archives Retail Services Coordinator by calling (780) 415-4867.

Pincher Creek was incorporated as a village on this day in 1898. Here’s a picture from shortly after incorporation (June 1899) taken in the village and showing Castle Mountain
“Pincher Creek, Alta., from the N.E., showing Castle Mountain (June 1, 1899) Photo Number: A16128

Canada’s national parks offer a lot of opportunities for new and exciting experiences, but this one is a little more unusual. In this photo you see the renowned Pierre Hétu conducting a symphony performed by the Calgary Philharmonic and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras in Jasper National Park. There’s no word on whether or not they performed a “Rocky Mountain Air”…. “Pierre Hetu conducting the Calgary Philharmonic and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras at Jasper National Park” (Summer 1980) Photo Number: A12717

Fringe ’O’ Saurus Rex is coming! From August 16-26 the 37th annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival will offer 1600+ performances at various venues in Old Strathcona. Do you want to see a show built on the true story of a fire in Big Valley, Alberta in 1921? Check out The Great Whorehouse Fire of 1921 by David Cheoros & Linda Wood Edwards and starring Linda Grass & Sue Huff. See more here https://www.fringetheatre.ca/festival/

Summer at the lake! This photo was snapped almost 100 years ago at Laurier Lake. Note the canvas tent.
“Camping at Laurier Lake” (Jul-Aug 1920) Photo Number: A15251

Tennis anyone? This elegant little group belonged to Morinville’s Tennis Club back in 1911. “Morinville Tennis Club” (September 1911) Photo Number: A3736

Here’s a photo from the PAA vaults – an undated photo of the Royal Bank in Redcliff. Based on the car in front of bank, the photo was probably taken in the 1920s.
“Royal Bank of Canada, Redcliff” (n.d) Photo Number: A9749

Here’s a photo from the vaults of a typical Ukrainian home located in Smoky Lake.
“Ukrainian style home, Smoky Lake” (ca. 1930) Photo Number: A11885

It’s Media Monday! Here’s another film from the vaults…

In 1974, the Alberta Treasury Branches issued a calendar celebrating Alberta’s multicultural heritage. This photo (taken by the Public Affairs Bureau) features Albertan’s in traditional Dutch attire.
“Dutch Costumes for Treasury Branch Calendars by Con Boland” (1974) Accession Number: GR1989.0516/219 #2

Very well organized and informative staff. The perfect space for searching back in time.

Exceptional place- truly a hidden treasure in itself- plan to be consumed in the journey while you're there.

Beautiful building very helpful staff. Material is very well organized and easy to find. The researchers were very knowledgeable, and help me find what I needed.

Very well organized and informative staff. The perfect space for searching back in time.

Exceptional place- truly a hidden treasure in itself- plan to be consumed in the journey while you're there.

Beautiful building very helpful staff. Material is very well organized and easy to find. The researchers were very knowledgeable, and help me find what I needed.

Very well organized and informative staff. The perfect space for searching back in time.

Exceptional place- truly a hidden treasure in itself- plan to be consumed in the journey while you're there.

Beautiful building very helpful staff. Material is very well organized and easy to find. The researchers were very knowledgeable, and help me find what I needed.

Very well organized and informative staff. The perfect space for searching back in time.

Exceptional place- truly a hidden treasure in itself- plan to be consumed in the journey while you're there.

Beautiful building very helpful staff. Material is very well organized and easy to find. The researchers were very knowledgeable, and help me find what I needed.

Very well organized and informative staff. The perfect space for searching back in time.

Exceptional place- truly a hidden treasure in itself- plan to be consumed in the journey while you're there.

Beautiful building very helpful staff. Material is very well organized and easy to find. The researchers were very knowledgeable, and help me find what I needed.