Knowledge of our past is essential for an understanding of the present and as a foundation for the future.

The mission of CCHS is to provide opportunities for community members to engage with our rich history through diverse event and program offerings.

We take inspiration from the driving forces that have lived on these lands from the first peoples who inhabited this area for millennia, to those who have arrived more recently and all that continue to make this area their home.

We are the local chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta (HSA), our service area stretches from Olds to Nanton, from the British Columbia to the Saskatchewan border. The HSA was established in 1907, CCHS was most recently incorporated in 1993. CCHS is governed by our board of directors.

Executive

  • Jackie joined the Board in September 2018 and has been an active member of the Historic Calgary Week Committee for many years. She retired from the Government of Alberta where she worked as a Senior Manager in Human Resources. As well, she was an Instructor in the Faculty of Continuing Education, she brings to CCHS her experience on other Boards in roles such as, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. She has taken an active role on the Council for the Historical Society of Alberta and the operation of the office for H.S.A. As a native Calgarian, Jackie very much enjoys local history and sharing it with others.

  • Walt spent 44 years in the Petroleum industry with various companies, most often in charge of international exploration & production. While always based in Calgary, he made many business trips to Indonesia, China, United Kingdom, Norway, Iran, Abu Dhabi and Romania. Walt and his wife, Irene, have been very involved with Historic Calgary Week for the past many years and this year is no exception. From 2015-2017, they led the committee that published two history books for young readers. Walt and Irene are very involved with the arts scene in Calgary and Walt was past Chair of the Board of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

  • Irene was born in Calgary and moved to High River in 1991. The following year she began working at the Glenbow Museum. She was the design coordinator for the ground-breaking exhibit: “Niitsitapiissinni: Our Way of Life”, the Blackfoot Gallery that opened in 2001. In 2004, she co-founded an exhibit design company that coordinated the development, design and production of the exhibit hall at the new Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. Irene was the Director/Curator of the Museum of the Highwood from January 2008 until retiring from the museum in December 2024. She continues to work on historical (of course) projects, including with BCHP. She is a past member of several Boards including Literacy for Life, the High River Heritage Advisory and Arts and Culture Boards, the Alberta Museums Association and the Historical Society of Alberta. Irene is honoured to help preserve and share Calgary and Southern Alberta’s fascinating history by serving as a CCHS board member.

  • Sarah has been a volunteer with the CCHS for several decades. Besides volunteering for the CCHS, Sarah has also volunteered with Historic Calgary Week, Old Banff Cemetery Preservation and Conservation, Calgary Regional Heritage School Fairs, Doors Open Calgary, McDougall Stoney Mission Society, Project Brewery and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. With a great respect for Indigenous history and culture, Sarah completed the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada Course. Sarah works at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site as a Heritage Interpreter and is a licenced motorman of the 100 year old Macha Mule Mine Locomotive.

  • Diane hails originally from Montreal and has lived in Calgary since the 1970's so may qualify to almost being a native Calgarian. She retired from a career as a project management consultant at City Hall . As well she was an instructor in the Faculty of Continuing Education and the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Diane brings Board experience to CCHC having served in executive roles in the MnM Outdoor Club and the francophone performing group, La Voix des Rocheuses. She coordinates the Creative Arts programs for the Calgary Association of Life Long Learners. 

  • Previously serving for 3 years as a member of the CCHS Board, Gordon has rejoined us. Gordon holds a BA in History from U of C. He has a lifelong interest in Western Canadian History and has served for 10+ years on the Historical Committee for the Calgary Stampede, also he has been an employee and volunteer for over 20 years with Heritage Park. As well, he was a Curator for the Grain Academy, is a member of Pioneer Acres and the Calgary Association of Lifelong Leaners.

Directors

  • Kevin is a fourth-generation Calgarian who has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30+ years. Kevin started the Calgary Gay History Project in 2012 to uncover and preserve stories from Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ past (www.calgarygayhistory.ca). The Project has achieved national recognition and led to the award-winning documentary film: Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story; and the best-selling book Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary. Additionally, Kevin works as a senior election administrator for both Elections Canada and the City of Fernie.

  • Originally from Saskatchewan, Yvonne moved to Calgary in 1977 where she continued her social work career working with vulnerable populations. Since her retirement, Yvonne has served on numerous non-profit Boards in Director and Executive positions. She has received many awards and recognition for her work. Yvonne loves to get to know the community where she lives, and to that end, she had participated in and volunteered for Historic Calgary Week. She joined the Board last year and is enjoying her participation in the Program Committee.

  • Doyin has a BA in Business and Management and an MBA. She moved to Canada in 2015 and she and her family reside in Airdrie. She is a highly organized, detail oriented and results- driven Accountant and Business Manager with years of experience within the banking, financial and healthcare industries across three continents. She will be assuming responsibility for the production and distribution of the enewsletter for the Society.

  • Frank Finley is a writer and government relations advisor focussing on heritage with a special interest in lost architecture and the political future of the industry. Frank currently serves on the board of Lougheed House and is a member of the National Trust for Canada’s Federal Issues Working Group, where he has helped to develop political strategy. Frank is also the lead researcher for Lost Canada, a digital project showcasing forgotten architecture from across the country.

  • Nancy Kimberley Phillips (ihtsiiyiaakíí), MA. is a Queer-Settler (she/her) from Moh'kínstsis (Calgary – Treaty 7). With a Master of Arts degree in Museum Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, she has worked in environmental, museum and historical education for the past ten years. Her work is often located at the fluid intersections between connecting people-to-place, public education, Indigenous knowledge(s), equity and inclusion, activism, and art. She currently works with the City of Calgary as a Park Program Ambassador.

  • Andrew Bardsley is a Calgary based historical researcher and writer who graduated from Mount Royal University. He is part of the group working on ‘Calgary Story,’ the CCHS mobile history app. Prior to working with the CCHS, Andrew worked for Fort Calgary and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.