Galt Museum remains go-to source for regional history

Westwind Weekly News Photo by Heather Cameron. HISTORY: The exterior and entrance of the Galt Museum and Archives located in Lethbridge.

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Galt Museum and Archives contains an extensive collection of information on the human history of Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta.

“The history of Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta can be explored through the Galt’s rotating world-class exhibits, special events, and school and community programs,” said Peter Tah, Marketing and Communications Officer for the Galt Museum and Archives (Akaisamitohkanao’pa, or “eternal gathering place”) and Fort Whoop-Up.

Tah says that the Galt Museum and Archives are located in Lethbridge in the territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi). Lethbridge is also home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 1 (Foothills Métis District). The Museum, Tah said, has been in southern Alberta for 61 years, since 1963, and is open year-around but has specific operating hours for both the museum and the archives that can be found on the website https://www.galtmuseum.com/.

“The presence of the Galt Museum has significantly enhanced tourism in the area by offering visitors unique and engaging experiences that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of Lethbridge and southern Alberta,” said Tah.

The Galt Museum, Tah says, offers a diverse range of exhibits that cater to various interests and preferences, and those include Discovery Hall, which covers a wide array of topics related to the history, culture, and heritage of Lethbridge and its surrounding regions, and includes artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that provide visitors with insights into the area’s past. The museum, Tah says, also regularly hosts temporary exhibits that explore specific themes, events, or aspects of local and global history. The Galt Museum, Tah says, also features Travelling Exhibitions, Hands-On Exhibitions, and Virtual Exhibits.

“The museum’s exhibitions and programs facilitate cultural exchange by sharing diverse stories and perspectives, attracting tourists interested in exploring different cultures and identities,” said Tah. “By preserving and showcasing artifacts, photographs, and documents related to the region’s past, the Galt Museum fosters a sense of community connection among tourists and locals alike.”

In addition to diverse exhibits, Tah says, the Galt Museum and Archives is also renowned for its educational and community programming.

“Our community programming team is responsible for providing a diverse range of programming options suitable for a variety of ages and audiences for visitors,” said Tah. “They plan programs, events, tours, and experiences throughout the year that complement and explore the stories, communities, and themes featured in special exhibitions. They work with artists, academics, professionals, local experts, and interest groups to provide engaging presentations or hands-on activities.”

That programming, Tah says, includes Blackfoot Language Classes led by Dorothy Medicine Crane, Crystal Oka, and Blanche Bruised Head that help learners discover the beauty of the Blackfoot language in a supportive and inclusive environment; Indigenous, Radically Lecture Series; a Hands-on History interactive program; Creative Community; Flora Foundations; Summer 2024 Walking Wednesdays in July and August; Queer History, Lethbridge Niitsitapi tree burial tour, Watch Lethbridge Grow downtown history tour, Mountainview Cemetery, St Patrick’s Cemetery, Elizabeth Hall Wetlands Land-Based Learning, and “The Thing”. Other classes, Tah said, introduce students from preschool to Grade 8 to the history of Lethbridge and southern Alberta using real and replica artifacts and documents to help students to explore the history and culture of our region. Tah says that detailed information about the Galt Museum’s educational experiences can be found at: https://www.galtmuseum.com/education.

“With its diverse exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs, the Galt Museum provides visitors with valuable learning opportunities about the history, traditions, and developments of the area,” said Tah. “We are a gathering place where everyone feels welcomed and valued.”

The Galt Museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year to promote awareness of the diverse cultures, businesses, histories, and lifestyles within southern Alberta. Some of these events include cultural festivals that highlight the traditions, customs, and heritage of various communities in southern Alberta; Heritage Days events that showcase the rich history, pioneer days, and Indigenous, multicultural heritage of southern Alberta; Indigenous Peoples Day; business networking events; lecture series and panel discussions; community outreach discussions; carnivals; and the Lethbridge Independent Film Festival.

“Overall, the Galt Museum’s events play a vital role in bringing awareness to the different cultures, businesses, histories, and lifestyles within southern Alberta, fostering a sense of community pride, appreciation, and mutual respect among residents and visitors alike,” said Tah. “The influx of tourists visiting the Galt Museum contributes to the local economy by generating revenue for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and retail shops in the area. 

Advancements in technology, Tah says, have had a significant impact on how museums operate and the types of exhibits they present, and some ways in which technology has influenced museums like the Galt include the implementation of digital exhibits, touchscreen displays, virtual reality experiences, augmented reality features, multimedia presentations, online access to its collections, archives, and exhibits through virtual tours, digital galleries, and web-based platforms, a sophisticated collection management system to catalog, document, and preserve artifacts and specimens. A major advancement in technology, Tah says, is the Archipanion AI Model, an innovative AI model developed by 4eyes GmbH, a Swiss company specializing in cutting-edge technologies, that the museum recently introduced for their archives.

Tah says that the Galt Museum & Archives and everything it has to offer is primarily funded by the City of Lethbridge, but they have established partnerships with various organizations including the Friends Society of the Sir Alexander Galt Museum & Archives, Travel Alberta Tourism Growth Program, Community Services Recovery Fund, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Young Canada Works, Tourism Lethbridge, Alberta Culture Days, Alpine Drywall, Parks Canada, and Co-operators Insurance. 

“The Galt Museum plays a vital role in promoting tourism in the area by offering visitors enriching experiences that celebrate the history, heritage, and identity of Lethbridge and its surrounding communities.” said Tah.