This release was issued under a previous government.
Addressing the effects of deterioration of the parged concrete finial is part of the conservation of the Crowsnest Pass Polish Hall in Coleman. Built in 1927, the hall was home to the Polish Society of Brotherly Aid, an organization dedicated to supporting miners and providing social and cultural services.
Awards recognizing the contributions of youth in support of heritage preservation and appreciation, and projects protecting and showcasing the heritage of Alberta’s Indigenous peoples will be presented along with awards for heritage conservation, heritage awareness and outstanding achievement.
“From the stories of our past, we find the inspiration to build an even stronger, brighter future for our province and its people. The AHRF Heritage Awards represent an opportunity to pay tribute to those who are keeping Alberta’s history alive and vibrant for the generations of Albertans to come. You can help us honour those efforts by nominating a heritage hero in your community.”
The AHRF Heritage Awards are presented every two years and recognize the outstanding achievements of Albertans engaged in heritage preservation, protection and promotion. Since 2005, 58 awards have been presented to recipients from across the province.
Full details and nomination forms are available at alberta.ca/heritage-awards. Deadline for nominations is July 15. The 2018 recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony, to be held in Edmonton Oct. 12.
Recent recipients have included:
- Don Hepburn (Red Deer, Outstanding Achievement): Hepburn was one of the founding members of the Central Alberta Historical Society. His knowledge and passion have helped to sustain the historical society as one of the most active in the province. Hepburn volunteers his time freely for projects including the Central Alberta Heritage School Fairs, Red Deer Centennial Committee and Remembering the Children.
- Glen Leslie Church Preservation Group (County of Grande Prairie, Heritage Conservation): Both as a house of worship and local schoolhouse, the Glen Leslie Church near Bezanson was the centre of its rural community for 49 years. The same cooperative spirit that led to its construction in 1915 guided the Glen Leslie Church Preservation Group in the restoration of this cherished landmark.
- Crowsnest Heritage Initiative (“Discover Crowsnest Heritage” Signage Program, Heritage Awareness): A thoughtfully designed initiative, the coordinated signage program supports a self-guided heritage driving route and walking tours throughout the Crowsnest Pass. The program employs a comprehensive scope that includes multimedia, printed maps, brochures and a web portal with bold professional branding. Highly visible, the signage stands out to visitors travelling on the highway and is easily identified on buildings and orientation kiosks. The signs are well-written and presented with illustrations from the exceptional archival resources of the Crowsnest Museum. Through this signage program, locals and tourists alike will discover much of the region’s rich history.