The producer of a local festival is encouraging people to learn the value of exploring their own culture by stepping into the past instead of travelling for their vacations.
“It’s amazing what you find out about what’s in your own backyard,” Wanda Bornn said. “You know how it’s becoming so popular to take a stay-cation — stick around your own neighbourhood? Sometimes I get a phone call from someone saying ‘I didn’t know we had that here.’”
The Edmonton and Northern Alberta Historic Festival, now in its 15th year, promotes local museums and historical sites to members of the public. The Father Lacombe Chapel is just one of many locations offering special tours in the area for the next eight days.
“They’re family-friendly events so that people can go and actively learn about their local history.”
Bornn added this has particular importance to local residents considering it’s the 150th anniversary since Father Lacombe and Bishop TachĂ© founded St. Albert. The chapel was built later on in 1861 and is still the oldest building in the province (although it was torn down and moved at one point before being rebuilt in its current setting).
There are also tours being offered of the restoration at the Grain Elevator Park, the Enjoy Centre, St. Albert Place and the Mission Hill area. The Musée Héritage Museum also still has The Mission Makers exhibit still on display.
Admission to the Father Lacombe Chapel is free. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the first Monday in September. For more information about activities and events, please call 780-459-7663 or visit www.fatherlacombechapel.org. The building is located on St. Vital Avenue just next door to the St. Albert Parish.
The festival runs until Sunday, July 17 at various locations around the metro Edmonton area. For more information or to check schedules, call 780-439-2797 or visit www.historicedmonton.ca.
It occurs in conjunction with Doors Open Edmonton, a separate celebration of Edmonton’s heritage featuring free tours of architecturally significant places and offering information seminars for the public. It runs until tomorrow.
