www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
2
STONES AND BONES
long prehistory of the Crowsnest Pass before
the railway, before white settlers, and in some
cases even before the Rocky Mountains!
Crowsnest Pass proudly claims to be the
most historic community in Alberta,
and with good reason. Where else has
experienced Canada’s deadliest landslide,
Canada’s worst mine disaster, a train
robbery and fatal shootout, prohibition
rum-running, and pioneer settlements filled
with colouful characters, murders and love
stories - all within a twenty-five year period?
In addition to celebrating these events
of the early twentieth century, our tenthanniversary Doors Open and Heritage
Festival is highlighting even older, and no
less fascinating, aspects of our local history,
a period of time only revealed through
archaeology. Stones and Bones refers to the
How far back would you like to go?
How about 65 million years? We’ve found
dinosaur tracks, fossilized parts of a
Tyrannosaurus Rex and only last year a
hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) was dug up
just south of here. There are oodles of smaller,
even older fossils in our local limestone, if you
know where to look. We’ve also uncovered the
remains of a 10,000 year old Mountain Buffalo,
post-ice-age stone tools, ancient chert
quarries, native fishing camps and tipi
rings, and Vision Quest sites (the highest
concentration in the world is right here).
Archaeological dig sites have also uncovered
the more recent and deliberately forgotten
heritage of Hill 60, our local Red Light district.
Join in on the many ways to discover the
ancient history of the Crowsnest Pass. Take a
guided hike to our 8,000 year old chert
quarries, enjoy a picnic lunch at an ancient
fishing campsite, listen to presentations on
ancient peoples of this area. See the massive
skull of the T. Rex known as “Black Beauty”
at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Take a
guided birding walk to view nature’s living
relatives of the dinosaurs, and visit a native
Vision Quest site. Listen to world famous
palaeontologist Dr Phillip Currie.
Not into the really old stuff? We have
plenty more ‘modern’ heritage to keep
you entertained. There are several historic
hikes nearby, in-town heritage walking
and driving tours, and a handful of historic
cemeteries if you want to self-guide at
your own pace. Visit the old downtown
of Coleman National Historic Site, the ruins
of a coal processing plant at Leitch
Collieries, the many local artifacts at the
Crowsnest Museum, the outdoor
interpretive displays at Hillcrest Cemetery,
or take a guided tour of the Bellevue
Underground Mine. For the kids there’s a
Cave Bear’s Picnic, Mad Science event and
Dinosaur Day Camp, and for the adults our
popular Booze and Bars lecture tour of some
of our historic watering-holes. Take a ride on
a miniature train pulled by a coal-fired steam
locomotive, browse at the Crowsnest
Country Market, and see the many vintage
cars at our annual Show and Shine. And
there’s so much more!
Whether ancient or modern, the heritage
of the Crowsnest Pass is yours to enjoy,
all set amongst one of the most scenic
landscapes anywhere. Information on the
many events and opportunities are
presented in this publication.
The Dance Hall Archaeological Site
materials, lie at the deepest levels of the
site. Bones from past meals tell us they ate
bison and beaver. Ten thousand years ago
the climate was cooler and it rained a lot.
As the centuries passed and the climate
warmed, the size of the encampments
along the shores of the lake increased and
hunting and food-preparation techniques
changed. Seven thousand years ago the
throwing stick (atlatl) was being used for
hunting by people archaeologists call
Mummy Cave. They used Bitterroot,
McKean and Salmon River projectile
points. There is evidence of plant
collecting and processing, fishing, and an
increase in the number of land mammals
hunted.
Photo: Kerr Collection
The Crowsnest Pass Dancehall Site
provides an important record of the
prehistoric past of Crowsnest Pass and
Alberta. Crowsnest Lake was formed
when the ice of Canada’s great glaciations
melted 13,000 years ago. People have
lived in the valley and beside the lake for
the last 10,000 years.
Who were the people who camped beside
Crowsnest Lake and what do archeological
remains tell us about them? Our clues
come from work done by archaeologists
in 1972 and 1973 when Highway 3 was
being realigned. Researchers at the Dance
hall site excavated sedimentary layers
representing many summer and early
fall seasonal occupations. Radiocarbon
techniques identified spear points made
by small groups of nomadic hunters we
call Agate Basin, Cody, Pryor Stemmed and
Lusk, whose stone tools, made from local
Three thousand years ago, people we call
Pelican Lake, probably ancestral Ktunaxa,
camped at the lake. They intensively used
the Etherington Chert Quarries located on
Piitaistakis Ridge in Frank to make tools
for butchering animals, processing plant
foods and hides, sewing clothes and tents,
and making ornaments. They traded for
finer stone material such as Kootenay
Argillite and Top of the World Chert
from British Columbia, Montana Chert,
and Knife River Flint from North Dakota,
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
3
( . . . continued from page 2)
and made Pelican Lake, Pass Creek,
Kootenay Plains and Hanna projectile
points.
In the top archaeological layers of the site
lie the remnants of small campsites used
by the historic Ktunaxa. They are known
to have lived in the Crowsnest Pass and
travelled out onto the Northern Plains to
hunt bison. From the campsite remains
we can tell they ate mostly bison but
supplemented their diet with deer, sheep,
fish, and local plant foods.
The K’tunaxa had been gone from the
shores of Crowsnest Lake for over two
hundred years when Alex Morency
built the Crowsnest Dance Hall in 1930.
Like earlier inhabitants, newly arrived
Europeans appreciated the shelter the
site provided from the Crowsnest Pass
winds and the awe-inspiring beauty of the
mountains mirrored in the lake. The
Saturday Doors Open Guided Archeological Bus Tour will be stopping at the site.
Photo: Crowsnest Museum
Dr. Philip J. Currie
and the T. rex
“Black Beauty”
The Crowsnest Pass Doors Open and
Heritage Festival committee is pleased to
announce that our guest speaker for this
year’s 10th anniversary Launch Event will
be famed palaeontologist Dr. Philip J.
Currie, professor, Canada Research
Chair at the University of Alberta in the
Department of Biological Sciences, former
Curator of Dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell
Museum of Palaeontology, and Adjunct
Professor at the University of Calgary.
Dr. Currie has published more than 225
scientific articles, 150 popular articles and
twenty books focussing on the growth and
variation of extinct reptiles, the anatomy
and relationships of carnivorous dinosaurs,
and the origin of birds. He has given
hundreds of popular and scientific lectures
and interviews on dinosaurs all over the
world. Grande Prairie, Alberta will honour
him in 2015 with the opening of the Philip
J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. Dr. Currie’s
presentation will focus on our own local
find, “Black Beauty,” a Tyrannosaurus rex
skeleton from the Crowsnest Pass.
During the Late Cretaceous, members
of the Tyrannosauridae were the top
predators in western North America.
Tyrannosaurid skeletons (and isolated
bones and teeth) have been collected in
Canada since 1884, representing at least
five different species – Albertosaurus
libratus, Daspletosaurus n. sp.,
Daspletosaurus torosus, Gorgosaurus
libratus, and Tyrannosaurus rex. Only
three of these skeletons represent T. rex,
which is far more common in the western
United States where more than fifty
skeletons have been recovered to date.
Surprisingly, however, there is still a lot
that is not known about this famous
dinosaur and each new specimen unlocks
more secrets of its biology.
“Black Beauty” was found in the Willow
Creek Formation next to the Crowsnest
River in 1981, and was collected by staff
of the Provincial Museum of Alberta the
following year. The rock was so hard that
preparation of the specimen was not
completed until 1993, when it went on
display as part of an exhibition that
travelled across Canada, and went on
to Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
Today the specimen is a prominent
display in the Royal Tyrrell Museum
of Palaeontology in Drumheller.
A reproduction of its skull can be seen
in the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
“Black Beauty” was initially believed to be
one of the largest specimens of T. rex ever
found, but excavation revealed it to be
one of the smallest known specimens of
this iconic dinosaur. Tyrannosaurids did
not live particularly long; one of the
largest specimens (“Sue” in the Field
Museum of Natural History) died at the
age of 28. “Black Beauty,” it seems, was
probably in her early twenties when she
died some 65 million years ago.
Join us for Dr. Currie’s presentation
at the Elk’s Hall in Blairmore, Friday,
July 31 at 7 pm. Admission is free
and refreshments will be available
following the presentation. Sponsored
by Riversdale Resources and the Frank
Slide Interpretive Centre.
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
4
NEW
EVENT
Main Street Bellevue, Heritage Kiosk,
east of the Old Dairy Ice Cream Shoppe.
5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Contact: Fred Bradley 403-563-5353
Cost: Free
A one hour guided tour of historic Bellevue will follow the panel
unveiling and release of the new walking tour brochure. Hear stories
about the rebuilding of Bellevue’s commercial district after several
disastrous fires and the shootout at the Bellevue Cafe.
Concert with John Wort
Hannam & Band
3
Frank
Sulphur Springs
Crowsnest Pass
Public Art Gallery
Frank Slide
3
4
West
Access
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Hillcrest Cemetery
Bellevue Mine
Fireman’s Park
Bellecrest Campground
Turtle Mountain
“Show and Shine”
Bellevue
Old Dairy
Ice Cream Shoppe
Centre
Access
Cr
ow
sn
es
tR
ive
r
6
EVENT
3
Hillcrest Mine Disaster
Memorial Monument
Bellevue Arena
Memorial Park
2
Bellevue
Underground Mine
Tours
East
Access
5
Hillcrest
John Wort Hannam is a Canadian roots musician, residing at the
foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Fort Macleod, Alberta.
SELF GUIDED HIKES / TOURS
FRIDAY, JULY 31
10th Anniversay Doors
Open Launch Event
Frank Slide
Interpretive Centre
1
Masonic Hall
NEW
Bellevue Legion
7 pm Doors Open
Contact: Crowsnest Museum for ticket
purchase 403-563-5434
Cost: $20/person
Frank
Cr
ee
Launch of Historic
Bellevue Walking Tour
C.P. Rail
Go
ld
THURSDAY, JULY 30
k
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2015
NEW
EVENT
Elk’s Hall. 2025-129 Street, Blairmore
7 pm – 9 pm
Contact: Cathy Pisony 403-562-7388 [email protected]
Cost: Free. Suggested donation of a toonie
Our guest presenter this year will be world renowned paleontologist
Dr. Phillip Currie. Dr. Currie will be doing a presentation on our own
Black Beauty. A reception will follow with food and entertainment
Historic Blairmore Courthouse
NIT Inter-Cultural Campus
13437-20th Ave., Blairmore
1 pm – 4 pm
Contact: 403-562-7704
Cost: Free
Designated as a Provincial Historic Resource in 1993, the Blairmore
Courthouse is currently owned and operated by the School
Foundation of Nippon Institute of Technology. The facility has been
meticulously restored to its 1923 state and now functions as an
educational campus.
Union Bank
Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce
& Crowsnest Conservation Society
12707-20th Ave., Blairmore
1 pm – 4 pm
Contact: 403-562-7108
Cost: Free
The Union Bank of Canada moved into this building in 1923. In 1925
the Union and Royal Banks merged as the Royal Bank of Canada.
The building now houses the Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce,
Crowsnest Conservation Society, Mortgage Architects and IPC
Investment Corp. Come in and see what’s in our safe!
Lethbridge Brewing and
Malting Company
Royal LePage Real Estate Office
13055-20 Ave., Blairmore
1 pm – 4 pm
Contact: 403-562-2848
Cost: Free
The finest brands of cigars and domestic and imported wines and
liquors were sold in this building, completed in 1907. A portion of the
west stone wall has been restored and the building is now the office
for Royal LePage South Country Real Estate.
Free brochures for Century Homes, Miners’ Path, Cemetery and Driving
tours can be picked up at the sites below during regular hours of
operation: Crowsnest Country Market, Bellevue Underground Mine,
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and Crowsnest Museum. Tour anytime.
Cost: free.
Hike the Historic Miners’ Path
Brochures (self-guided tour) available at the Crowsnest Museum
from 9 am to 5 pm. This is an easy 20 minute hike that begins at
Flumerfelt Park and ends at a 12 foot waterfall. A bridge over the
creek leads to the McGillivray mine site. For guided hike see page 6.
Cemetery Tours - Crowsnest Pass
Take a self-guided tour through the unique cemeteries of
Crowsnest Pass.
Crowsnest Heritage Driving Tour
Take a self-guided driving tour off Hwy 3 and through all of the
wonderful historic communities of Crowsnest Pass.
Historic Blairmore Walking Tour
Brochure at Heritage Kiosk SE Corner: 129st-20 Ave., Blairmore.
Explore the many heritage buildings in the historic town of
Blairmore.
Historic Frank Walking Tour
Brochures available at Crowsnest Public Art Gallery (Contact:
403-562-2218) and Allied Arts Building 14733-Hwy 3, Frank. Stroll
the streets of the town that survived a disastrous mountain slide.
Historic Bellevue Walking Tour
Brochure available at Heritage Kiosk and Old Dairy Ice Cream Shoppe,
Historic Main Street Bellevue (213th St.) Contact: 403-564-4111.
Grab an ice-cream and take a stroll through historic Bellevue.
Historic Hillcrest Walking Tour
Brochure available at Heritage Kiosk, 8th Ave., 227 St. and at the
Hillcrest Mines Cemetery. Visit the cemetery that commemorates the
worst underground mine disaster in Canadian history and walk the
streets of the town where many of the miners once lived.
Historic Coleman Walking Tour
Brochure available at Crowsnest Museum, 7701-18 Ave., Coleman
and at the Heritage Kiosk across from Coleman Legion. Explore the
historic town with the best view of the iconic Crowsnest Mountain.
Century Homes Tours
Self-guided tour of homes throughout Crowsnest Pass
Learn about the histories of these beautiful historic homes.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
Bellevue Underground Mine
Bellevue Mine Access Road:
2531-213 Street, Bellevue
Contact: 403-564-4700
www.BellevueUndergroundMine.org
Open daily: 9:30 pm – 6:30 pm
First tour 10 am. Last tour 5:30 pm.
Cost: Admission to Mine
Don a miner’s helmet and experience life as an underground
coal miner first hand.
Crowsnest Pass Photo
Contest and Exhibit
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery
14733-Hwy 3, Frank
Summer: Tue. to Sat. 10 am – 4 pm.
Sun, Mon, & Holidays 1 pm – 4 pm.
Contact: 403-562-2218
Cost: Free
Entry categories: Crowsnest Pass Heritage, Scenery, Wildlife and
Crowsnest Pass People. All entries capturing the essence of life in the
Crowsnest Pass are on display at the Gallery from August 1 – August
31. Current exhibit is our local, juried annual summer show
“The Awareness of Joy”.
Crowsnest Museum
7701-18 Ave., Coleman
Open daily: 9 am – 5 pm
Contact: 403-563-5434
www.crowsnestmuseum.ca
Cost: Admission to Museum
Located in the Coleman National Historic Site, the museum is home
to over 60,000 artifacts with an estimated 25,000 on display in the
six-themed galleries and numerous exhibits and displays.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Contact: 403-562-7388
www.frankslide.org
9 am – 6 pm (July & August)
Cost: Admission to Centre
The Centre has four levels of interactive exhibits. Two award-winning
audio-visual presentations that run daily. Our interpretive staff will
be offering numerous programs, hikes and presentations throughout
the summer months. View our new innovation exhibit: Voices of
Disaster: The Hillcrest Experience.
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
5
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2015
Blairmore
West
Access
3
1
4
Centre
Access
20th Ave
West
Access
St
5
6
20th Ave
C.P. Rail
Yo
rk
Cr
ee
k
CNP Chamber
of Commerce
(Union Bank)
Crowsnest Centre
Hospital
Crowsnest Pass Golf Club
Greenhill Mine (abandoned)
5.
6.
7.
8.
8
Royal LePage
(Lethbridge Brewing)
7
3
3
C.P. Rail
Pottery
Club
2
1
Centre
Access
7
5
20th Ave
3
18th Ave
4
5
Gushul
Studio
est River
Crowsn
1. Flumerfelt Park
2. Miners’ Path
3. Municipal Office
Lost Lemon Campground
Provincial Government Building
Pass Powderkeg Ski Hill
Trailhead for Turtle Mountain hike
940
Flumerfelt Park
Crowsnest Country Market
East
Access
129th
ver
est Ri
Crowsn
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coleman
(Historic Blairmore Courthouse)
Crowsnest
Conservation
Society Office
3
2
Nippon Institute of Technology
4. Historic Downtown
5. Sports Complex
Coleman
Legion
3
East
Access
Coleman Senior’s
Drop In Centre
Crowsnest Museum
( . . . continued from page 4)
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site
Hwy 3, east end of Crowsnest Pass
10 am – 5 pm
Contact: 403-562-7388
Cost: Free
Step back in time to the coal mining era in Crowsnest Pass. Brand
new interpretive panels and audio stations tell the story of this
sophisticated early mining company. Or if you like to hear the story
first hand take a guided tour at 11 am or 2 pm, Wed. to Sun.
Self-guided Heritage
Road Rally
NEW
EVENT
Pick up guide at Crowsnest Museum during museum hours.
7701-18 Ave., Coleman
Sponsored by: Practicar and The Shuttle
Contact: 403-562-8807 or Crowsnest Museum 403-563-5434
Cost: Free
Explore the heritage of the Crowsnest Pass from your own vehicle.
This event will require a vehicle, watch and your sense of adventure.
This timed event should take no longer than 1.5 hours.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
NEW
Modern Day Dinosaur Hunt EVENT
Crowsnest Conservation Society
12707-20th Ave., Blairmore
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Contact/Registration: 403-563-7545
[email protected]
Cost: Free. Please pre-register
Experienced local birders invite you to join them on a walk to one of
Crowsnest Pass’ prime birding spots. Locations will be scouted prior
to the event and a destination will be chosen that offers the greatest
variety of our modern day dinosaurs. Bring binoculars, or borrow a
pair from CCS. Meet at the Crowsnest Conservation office 6:30 am.
Guided Archeological Bus
Tour throughout the
Crowsnest Pass
NEW
EVENT
Contact/Registration: Frank Slide
Interpretive Centre 403-562-7388
9 am – 2 pm
Cost: Free
The Crowsnest Heritage Initiative invite you to enjoy this free guided
bus tour of the archeological sites of the Crowsnest Pass. Beginning
at Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site (meet at parking lot at
8:50 am) with tour guides Barney Reeves and Margaret Kennedy,
you will head out on a day of discovery. Sites visited will include the
Dance Hall site with guest presenter Claire Allum, Hill 60 with guest
speaker Margaret Kennedy as well as many others throughout the
day. Bring lunch, water, walking sticks, camera, binoculars, sturdy
shoes and clothing suitable for all weather. Registration is limited
please call early.
Crowsnest Pass Pottery Club
Royal Canadian Legion Open House
Coleman Sportsplex
8702-22 Ave., Coleman
9 am – 3 pm
Cost: Free
Branch #9 Coleman
7831-17 Ave., Coleman
10 am – 4 pm
Contact: 403-563-5480
[email protected]
Cost: Free
This is a great opportunity for the community to purchase local
pottery at great prices, speak to members about the history, classes
offered, and the volunteer operation of the club. The Pass Pottery
Club is passionate about exploring the possibilities that working
with clay has to offer. We create various types of pottery, including
functional and decorative pieces in all sizes and colours. Come and
see what we can do with clay.
Crowsnest Country Market
Coleman Community Society
Flumerfelt Park, Hwy 3, Coleman
Open Air Market: 10 am – 4 pm
Live Auction: 11 am
Contact: 403-563-5408
[email protected]
Cost: Free
Live music to listen to and a concession to enjoy while visitors look
over the 30+ vendor tables. A variety of products – pottery, artwork,
photography, garden produce, handiwork, craft projects, jewelry,
jams and jellies. There are also many home based businesses –
Epicure, Scentsy, Baby Cakes, to name a few, plus a 50/50 draw.
The waterplay Park is available for children while adults browse the
tables. There is an Auction held at 11 am with the proceeds going to
an active community group. The auction is possible because of the
many donations businesses and residents of the CNP make. Have fun
bidding! Enjoy the day at the historic Flumerfelt Park – land donated
to the miners and their families back in 1910. It is preferred that dogs
are not brought to the site as it is very congested and busy.
Cave “Teddy” Bears’ Picnic
Alberta’s oldest legion was established in October of 1926. The
legion’s cenotaph honours WWI, WWII and Korean War Veterans.
The building is a Registered Historic Resource.
11th Annual Main Street
Crowsnest Show & Shine
Downtown Bellevue
11 am – 4 pm
Contact: 403-563-3844
www.cnpss.ca
Cost: Free
Step back in time to when the car was king. See a wide variety
of antiques, muscle cars, rods, trucks and motorcycles. Talk to
owners about their vehicles and help celebrate a retrospective
look at the automobile.
Masonic Hall Open House Rocky Summit Lodge #30
Masonic Hall
14806-21 Ave., Frank
12 noon – 2 pm
Contact: Bob Liddell 403-563-3130
Cost: Free
Built as a Methodist Church and subsequently used as a Union Hall
and a community hall, this building now serves as the Masonic Hall.
Tours will include the upstairs meeting room.
Crowsnest Museum
7701-18 Ave., Coleman
10 am – 4 pm
Contact: 403-563-5434
www.crowsnestmuseum.ca
Cost: $5. Teddy Bear entry registration. Concession available
The Historic Rum Runner
Don’t miss our special themed event this year - the Cave “Teddy”
Bears’ Picnic! Fun for the young and young at heart. Join us for
old fashioned games, face painting, a Bear Adoption Centre,
personalized photos, and a Doctor Station, just to name a few
of the “bear necessities”
Come and enjoy an afternoon/evening of nostalgia at the historic
Rum Runner Pub/Restaurant in Coleman. Enjoy food and drink from
our extensive summer menu whilst taking in historic movies in the
comfort of our unique Crow Bar Lounge, which will be open from
4 pm – 9 pm. Minors are welcome.
Mad Science Fun Workshops at
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Spaghetti Dinner
Rum Runner Restaurant
7902-20 Ave., Coleman
11:30 am – 9 pm
Contact: 403-562-7552
Cost: Restaurant menu
1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
To book a spot call: 403-562-7388 (limit of 30)
11 am – 12 noon Slippery Science - Fun with slime.
2 pm – 2:45 pm Bubbling Potions.
Coleman Senior’s Hall
7801-18 Ave., Coleman
4:30 pm – 7 pm
Contact: Frank Loseth 403-563-0358
Cost: $15/person
Hey Kids! Join Magnetic Myriah for some Mad Science Fun.
Explore the super cool world of dry ice!
Enjoy a spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings – Caesar salad,
garlic toast and pastries – in the historic Coleman Senior’s Hall.
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
6
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2015
SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
The History of Canada
and Other Hilarious Stuff
NEW
EVENT
MDM Community Facility
2802-222 Street, Bellevue
7 pm – 9 pm
For tickets and information contact:
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery 403-562-2218
Cost: $12 for advance tickets. $15 at door. Cash bar
Bob Robertson and Linda Cullen are crazy about the history of
Canada, or was it they think the history of Canada is crazy? Either
way, they sure do have fun with it. In 1993, they created “The History
of the Canadian Speaking Peoples, eh?” Now they’re back with a
multimedia extravaganza that’s sure to have Canadians laughing
in the aisles. This time they’re hitting the road with “The History
of Canada and Other Hilarious Stuff” which uses a blend of their
impersonations, music and sound effects to tell their wacky version
of Canada’s history. Starting from 200 million years ago, “Double
Exposure’s History of Canada” takes you through swamps filled with
dinosaurs (real dinosaurs, not Canadian senators), through ice ages
cold enough that even a toque and mukluks couldn’t protect you.
They’ll tell you of the First Nations who arrived here in... well, first!
On to explorers who stuck their flags everywhere except where the
First Nations wanted them to stick their flags, to early governments
where Canadians’ love of scandals began and through to the famous
and infamous leaders of modern Canada. All designed to make you
laugh at the foibles of the country we love to live in.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Mountain Bike Ride to Lille NEW
UROC - United Riders of Crowsnest
10 am – 2 pm
Contact: 403-651-4142
Fax: 403-476-5167
[email protected]
Pre-register by calling Frank Slide
Interpretive Centre 403-562-7388
Cost: Free (limit of 20)
EVENT
Join UROC for a mountain bike ride to the historical town site of
Lille. We will be riding approximately 14 km with various stops at
the cemetery, power house and town site. Be prepared for creek
crossings and a couple of hills. Please bring water and snacks.
Waivers must be signed before the ride begins. Meet at the pipeline
approximately 2 km past the cattle guard which is your first left on
the Frank Interpretive Road.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
9 am – 5 pm
Contact: 403-562-7388
www.frankslide.org
Cost: Admission to Centre
The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre will be highlighting the amazing
stories of the Crowsnest Pass. Take in the new exhibit – Voices of
Disaster – The Hillcrest Experience and new interpretive programs
that highlight the worst underground mine disaster in Canadian
history. Our knowledgeable interpreters have been working on new
and exciting ways to tell you the stories of the Hillcrest Mine Disaster
– through guided hikes and interpretive presentations not to be
missed. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a guided walk along the
1.5 km trail through the rubble of the 1903 Frank Slide.
Meet at #9 Rainbow Acres (Turn south
off Hwy 3 on to Hwy 507; take first
right after the bridge and follow the
signs to Rainbow Acres)
9 am – 4 pm
Hike to Burmis Ridge Vision Quest Site
Pre-registration required by calling 403-563-7545 or
emailing [email protected]
Cost: Free (limit of 12)
Join retired University of Lethbridge professor Jay Allen on a hike to
one of Alberta’s many vision quest sites. After a 2 ½ – 3 hour uphill
hike (elevation gain of 500 meters) at a moderate pace, we will
stop for lunch, hear the story of the Burmis Ridge site and ask Jay
questions. Bring: lunch and water. Optional: walking sticks, camera
and binoculars. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for
Crowsnest Pass weather.
Dinosaur Day Camp
NEW
EVENT
Leitch Collieries Provincial
Historic Site. Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
10 am – 3 pm
To register call: 403-562-7388
www.frankslide.org
Cost: $5/child (limit of 15, ages 7 – 12 )
This one is for the kids! An exciting day of dinosaur exploration.
Games, a dinosaur themed scavenger hunt, an excavation activity
where you can dig up some fossils (not real ones of course) and
reconstruct a dinosaur. Please send a packed lunch for each
child and dress in appropriate clothing for the weather. Great fun
for everyone.
Miniature Train Rides
NIT Inter-Cultural Campus grounds
13437-20th Ave., Blairmore
10 am – 3 pm
Contact: Dave Thomas 403-562-8032
Cost: Free
Smoke and steam will waft over Blairmore Railway Heritage Park
Sunday, August 3, as the Nippon Institute of Technology’s live steam
train provides free rides along its loop of five-inch gauge track. This
family-focused event offers children 95 and under the opportunity
to see how a real steam locomotive generates steam from coal to
drive pistons, rods and wheels. Engine 9664 burns only genuine
Rocky Mountain Coal, the same fuel that powered Canadian Pacific’s
magnificent trains over the Crowsnest Pass before diesels took over
in 1960. Guests may ride as many times as they like between 10 am
and 3 pm and are welcome to inspect the locomotive and chat with
the crew. If you would like to volunteer to help with this event please
contact Dave at the number above.
Guided Walking Tour of
the Historic Miners’ Path
Crowsnest Museum
7701-18 Ave., Coleman
Sunday and Monday
11 am – 12 noon
Contact: 403-563-5434
Cost: Free (space limited)
We Have Stories to Tell You
Hike to Burmis Ridge
Vision Quest Site
Miners’ Picnic
(...Continued)
NEW
A camera is a must on this walking tour! Go back in time and retrace
the steps of the miners of Coleman who worked the McGillivray
Mine. You can retrace the footsteps of a coal miner and discover a
wealth of history. This is an easy hike with uneven terrain and stair
climbing. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring water.
The Gushul Studio and Cottage
13301-19th Ave., Blairmore
10 am – 12 noon
Contact: University of
Lethbridge 403-394-3997
Cost: Free
EVENT
The Gushul Studio and Cottage were opened in 1988 for
professional artists interested in working in Crowsnest Pass for one
to three month residencies. The facilities were completely renovated
by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation in the early 1980s to
acknowledge Thomas Gushul’s work as a pioneering photographer
of the region.
Bellevue Underground Mine
2531-213 Street, Bellevue
10 am – 4 pm
Contact: 403-564-4700
www.BellevueUndergroundMine.org
Cost: Regular Admission to Underground Mine Tour
Free Events: BBQ, Live Music, Games (Bocce, Horseshoes, and old
fashioned picnic games.) We will also have live demonstrations of
different types of jobs done by the miners, as well as a blacksmith
demonstration by Peter Koci. Representative Meaghan Patterson,
Executive Director/CEO of the Alberta Museums Association and
Deputy Mayor Dean Ward will be visiting.
Booze and Bars Historical Bus Tour
Leaving from and Returning to: Crowsnest Museum
7801-18th Ave., Coleman
2 pm – 4 pm
Contact: 403-563-5434
To book call the Frank Slide Centre 403-562-7388 (limit of 40/tour)
Cost: $5/person (all fares & donations support the Crowsnest Museum)
Booze and Bars Historical Bus Tour – Explore the ‘Booze and Bars’ of
Crowsnest Pass, Doors Open style!
Movie by Starlight
Bellevue Arena Memorial Park, located behind the
Wildrose Confectionary 21313-25 Ave., Bellevue
Gates open at 8 pm - movie to begin at dark
Cost: Free (concession will be open)
Bring your chairs and enjoy a movie under the starlight in the park.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Miners’ Path
Meet at Crowsnest Museum, 7701-18 Ave., Coleman
11 am – 12 noon
To book a spot call 403-563-5434
www.crowsnestmuseum.ca
Cost: Free (space limited)
A camera is a must on this walking tour! Go back in time and
retrace the footsteps of a coal miner and discover a wealth of history.
This is an easy hike with uneven terrain and stair climbing. Please
wear appropriate footwear and clothing and bring water.
Guided Hike to the Chert Quarry
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. 1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
10 am – 3 pm
Pre-register by calling 403-562-7388
www.frankslide.org
Cost: Free (limit of 25)
We will walk at a leisurely pace, stopping to talk history, and enjoy
the spectacular scenery at the top of the Livingstone Range and
discuss the Chert Quarry and its importance to the first nations.
Bring lunch, water, walking sticks, camera, binoculars, sturdy shoes
and clothing suitable for all weather. Meet at the east end of the
parking lot at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
Archeological Tour of Lille
NEW
EVENT
Crowsnest Conservation Society
8:30 am – 5 pm
Pre-registration required by calling
403-563-7545 or email
[email protected]
Cost: Free (limit of 25)
Jay Allen will lead a hike to the historic village of Lille. We will walk
at a moderate pace, exploring points of interest along the way and
stopping to talk history and economics. The walk is long (2 to 3 hours
one way), but not difficult, and the scenery is spectacular.
Bring: lunch, water. Optional: walking sticks, camera, binoculars
Wear: Sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for increment weather.
Meet at east end of the parking lot at the Frank Slide Interpretive
Centre to carpool to starting location for the hike.
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
Vision Quest Sites
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
7
HOMES, HOTELS AND HERITAGE
An integral part of many world religions is the
unity of what westerners separate into natural
and spiritual worlds. It is believed that spirits inhabit the landscape and influence and
shape the lives of the peoples who live on it.
An important part of the lives of young
First Nations people in southern Alberta
and northern Montana was the quest for
spiritual power and for a “guardian” who acted
as mediator between the spirit world and the
individual. For young men this quest often
involved praying, fasting, sleep deprivation,
and enduring cold in isolated geographic
areas, such as the tops of mountains, distant
lake shores and riversides. Women visited
springs, waterfalls, lakes, sacred groves and
medicinal places. The Crowsnest Pass has
one of the highest densities of remaining
mountain vision quest sites in Alberta.
Vision quests were still taking place when
Europeans arrived to settle in southern
Alberta, so the locations of some of these sites
are recorded. Others can be recognized by
small ovals or semicircles of built up stones,
offering protection from the wind, on the
tops of mountains and ridges. It is difficult to
date these sites although attempts have been
made to measure the growth of lichens on the
rocks used and to count the rings of seasonal
growth on trees growing in front of stone
constructions. Some of them are thousands
of years old.
J.F. Dormaar and B.O.K. Reeves have studied
the remains and locations of vision quest sites
and demonstrated that their locations are
determined not just by their isolation, but
by their position in a landscape that is both
natural and supernatural to their creators.
Specifically, most of these sites have clear
views of landmarks still sacred today to
the Blackfeet, such as Chief and Crowsnest
mountains and the Sweetgrass hills.
It is likely that rock art, such as the red ochre
markings on a high point of Bluff Mountain in
Blairmore, are associated with vision questing.
There is a shallow rock shelter and a clear
view of Crowsnest Mountain at this spot.
A walk to the Burmis vision quest site
will take place on Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm.
Pre-register by calling 403-563-7545.
To visitors and residents alike, the historic
buildings that dot our commercial districts
and residential neighbourhoods are
visible expressions of our rich heritage.
Our century-old homes embody the social
structure of the community, from coal
miners to shop keepers, doctors, mine
managers and the wealthy. Our brick buildings mirror the bustling optimism of the
1920s shop-keeper, anxiously extending
credit during the Great Depression and biting his tongue when his customers went on
strike. Our churches recall solemn hymns
sung in English, Polish, Russian, Italian,
Welsh or any number of other languages.
Our historic community halls still resonate
with music and the chatter and laughter of
children and adults alike.
We’re proud to present several self-guided
walking tours which take you past of these
historic buildings. Free brochures with maps
are available at some heritage kiosks
or at the Crowsnest Museum, Frank Slide
Interpretive Centre and Bellevue
Underground Mine. Many individual
buildings have plaques which briefly
explain their history.
Alternatively, a free map of a heritage
driving tour through all of our communities
is available at the above-noted interpretive
facilities and from many Pass merchants.
Our popular Booze & Bars guided bus tour
offers insights into the more social side of
our local heritage through visits to some of
the local watering-holes. These remind us
of the colorful old days of Prohibition and
rum-running.
For those inclined to the outdoors, why
not take a walk through one of our many
historic cemeteries, or along a heritage
trail. Information is available at all of our
museums and interpretive facilities.
Show and Shine Bellevue Main Street
11 am – 4 pm, Saturday, Aug 1.
Birds – the Modern Dinosaur
They are still among us... Most dinosaurs went
extinct 65 million years ago—but not all.
Descendants of small carnivorous dinosaurs
known as theropods live today in all parts of
the world. Our birds, from the tiny calliope
hummingbird to the majestic golden eagle,
can trace their lineage back to the Late
Jurassic period of geologic time.
Modern-day dinosaurs—which include the
mountain chickadee, hairy woodpecker,
common raven ruffed grouse; wild turkey
and great horned owl—occupy year-round
homes in the Crowsnest Pass. Others--like the
common loon, great blue heron, yellow
warbler, meadowlark, mountain bluebird and
red-tailed hawk—return to our wetlands, alpine meadows and rocky hillsides each spring
to mate, nest and raise families. Still others—
such as the Tennessee warbler, eastern
bluebird, tundra swan, American avocet,
snowy egret and surf scoter—stop for a rest
during spring and fall migration or are blown
into our neighborhoods by an errant wind.
Birding, one of North America’s fastest
growing activities, provides the opportunity
to observe and even photograph dinosaurs at
close range. Crowsnest Conservation Society
can help you find them.
A guided bird walk will take place
Saturday, 6:30 am – 8:30 am.
Pre-register by calling 403-563-7545.
www.cnpheritagefest.ca www.frankslide.org
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
8
DOORS OPEN & HERITAGE FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
FRANK SLIDE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE, CROWSNEST MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES, CROWSNEST HISTORICAL SOCIETY, CROWSNEST PASS
ECOMUSEUM TRUST, BELLEVUE UNDERGROUND MINE, CROWSNEST PASS POTTERY CLUB, OLD DAIRY ICE CREAM SHOPPE, COLEMAN SENIORS’
DROP IN CENTRE, CROWSNEST PASS ALLIED ARTS ASSOCIATION AND PUBLIC ART GALLERY, BELLECREST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION,
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION-COLEMAN #9, COLEMAN COMMUNITY SOCIETY, CROWSNEST CONSERVATION SOCIETY, ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE,
CROWSNEST COUNTRY MARKET, ALBERTA CULTURE AND TOURISM, COMMUNITY FUTURES CROWSNEST PASS, MUNICIPALITY OF CROWSNEST PASS,
ROCKY SUMMIT LODGE #30, CROWSNEST PASS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BELLEVUE ARENA MEMORIAL PARK, NIT INTER-CULTURAL CAMPUS,
RIVERSDALE RESOURCES, CROWSNEST HERITAGE INITIATIVE, GRAND UNION HOTEL, RUM RUNNER RESTAURANT, GUSHUL STUDIO AND COTTAGE,
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE, CROWSNEST PASS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,CANADIAN HERITAGE, CROWSNEST PASS SHOW & SHINE,
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ALBERTA, PRACTICAR AND THE SHUTTLE, UROC - UNITED RIDERS OF CROWSNEST
2015 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
THURSDAY, JULY 30
5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
7 pm
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Launch of the Bellevue Walking Tour
- Mainstreet, Bellevue
Concert with John Wort Hannam & Band
- Bellevue Legion, Bellevue
9 am – 4 pm
9 am – 5 pm
10 am – 2 pm
FRIDAY, JULY 31
1 pm – 4 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
7 pm – 9 pm
10 am – 3 pm
10 am – 3 pm
Historic Blairmore Courthouse - NIT Campus. 13437-20 ave, Blairmore
Union Bank Tours - CNP Chamber of Commerce.
12707-20 Ave., Blairmore
Lethbridge Brewing and Malting Company
- Royal LePage Office. 13055-20 Ave., Blairmore
Launch Event - Dr. Phil Currie. Elk’s Hall. Blairmore
10 am – 12 noon
10 am – 4 pm
11 am – 12 noon
2 pm – 4 pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
6:30 am – 8:30 am
9 am – 2 pm
9 am – 3 pm
10 am – 4 pm
10 am – 4 pm
10 am – 4 pm
11 am – 9 pm
11 am & 2 pm
11:30 am – 9 pm
12 noon – 2 pm
4:30 pm – 7 pm
7 pm
8 pm
Modern Day Dinosaur Hunt - Crowsnest Conservation Society.
12707-20 Ave., Blairmore
Guided Archeological Bus Tour - Leitch Collieries Provincial
Historic Site. Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Crowsnest Pottery Club - Coleman Sportsplex
8702-22nd Ave., Coleman
Crowsnest Country Market - Coleman Community Society.
Flumerfelt Park. Hwy 3, Coleman. Auction at 11 am
Cave “Teddy” Bear’s Picnic - Crowsnest Museum.
7701-18th Ave., Coleman
Royal Canadian Legion Open House - Branch #9 Coleman.
7831-17 Ave., Coleman.
11th Annual Main Street Crowsnest Show & Shine
Mainstreet Bellevue
Mad Science Fun Workshops at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
The Historic Rum Runner - 7902-20 Ave., Coleman
- Downtown Historic Coleman
Masonic Hall Open House - Rocky Summit Lodge #30.
Masonic Hall. 14806-21st Ave., Frank
Spaghetti Dinner - Coleman Senior’s Hall. 7801-18 Ave., Coleman
The History of Canada and Other Hilarious Stuff
- MDM Community Centre. 2802-222 Street, Bellevue
SELF GUIDED HIKES / TOURS
Check listing on page 4 of this publication.
Hike to Burmis Vision Quest Site - Meet at #9 Rainbow Acres.
See brochure information for directions
We Have Stories to Tell You - Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
1.5 km off Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
UROC Mountain Bike Ride to Lille - Meet at the pipeline
approximately 2 km past Frank Slide turnoff
Dinosaur Day Camp - Leitch Collieries Provincial
Historic Site. Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Miniature Train Ride - NIT Inter-Cultural Campus.
13437-20th Ave., Blairmore
Gushul Studio and Cottage - 13301-19th Ave., Blairmore
Miners’ Picnic - Bellevue Underground Mine. Main Street Bellevue
Guided Walking Tour of Historic Miners’ Path - Crowsnest Museum.
7701-18th Ave., Coleman
Booze & Bars Historical Bus Tour - Crowsnest Museum.
7701-18 Ave., Coleman
Movie By Starlight - Bellevue Arena Memorial Park,
located behind Wildrose Confectionary. 21313-25th Ave., Bellevue
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
8:30 am – 5 pm
10 am – 3 pm
11 am – 12 noon
Archeological Tour of Lille - Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
1.5 km off hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Guided Hike to Chert Quarry - Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
1.5 km off hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Miners’ Path
Crowsnest Museum. 7701-18th Ave., Coleman
ONGOING EVENTS: JULY 31 – AUGUST 4
SELF GUIDED TOURS
THROUGHOUT WEEKEND
TUESDAY – SATURDAY
10 am – 4 pm
SUNDAY – MONDAY
1 pm – 4 pm
9 am – 5 pm
9 am – 6 pm
10 am – 6 pm
10 am – 5 pm
10 am – 4 pm
Brochures can be picked up at the Bellevue Mine, Leitch Collieries Historic Site, Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, the Crowsnest Pass
Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Museum, Old Dairy Ice Cream Shoppe –
during their regular hours of operation. Brochures can also be
picked up at historic kiosks where listed
Self-guided Heritage Road Rally (brochure at Crowsnest Museum)
Crowsnest Pass Photo Exhibit and
Art Gallery Exhibit
- Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery
14733-Hwy 3, Frank
HISTORIC SITES AND MUSEUMS
Crowsnest Museum - 7701-18th Ave., Coleman
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre - 1.5 km off Hwy 3, Frank
Bellevue Underground Mine - Mainstreet Bellevue
Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site - Hwy 3, Crowsnest Pass
Crowsnest Pass Art Gallery - 14733-Hwy 3, Frank (see listing above)
For more information visit: www.frankslide.org or 403-562-7388. www.cnpheritagefest.ca