Calgary Heritage Park Historical Village
Imagine stepping back in time, finding yourself in the Hudsons Bay fur Trading Post or a First Nations settlement camp. Well, at the Heritage Park Historical Village, visitors can do just that and much more. The Village is Canada’s largest living museum, where visitors are welcomed by costumed staff that take them back to life in early Western Canada, as it states in their brochure “How the West Was Once.”
In 1961 the city had an idea for a children’s pioneer park. By 1963 the Heritage Park Society was founded and in charge of the park’s construction and operation with help from Calgary and various corporations. The park, spread over 127 acres, officially opened to the public on July 1, 1964. Several historic buildings were moved and restored, complete with furnishings and period artifacts, while others were recreated, making up the Village. An absolute favourite attraction is the vintage Steam locomotive that was donated, repaired, and restored. The park installed 4,300 feet of railway track, and now the locomotive journeys passengers around the park. A roundhouse, complete with a working turntable, was built and now houses railway equipment. Visitors may also choose to tour the grounds by horse-drawn cart and buggy.
Heritage Park consists of three main areas, The Park Village, Gasoline Alley, and the newest addition, Heritage Town square. The Town square is part of a further expansion in front of the park. It is open all year, and admission is free. It houses the Selkirk Grille, which features upscale dining, and the Big Rock Interpretive Brewery, where you can rustle up a “cold one.” The Hakayre Merchantile holds five unique shops under one roof in a 1930’s and 40’s decor. Next is Gasoline alley is an indoor museum dedicated to the story of the automobile. Two floors house a fantastic collection of vintage automobiles, gasoline pumps, and vintage signs. Last but not least, the Village brings Western history to life as a living museum.
There are over 50,000 historical artifacts in the Park collection. What makes the Village so special is that almost all of the artifacts were donations to the park. These historical items represent the lives of the settlers in Western Canada from the 1860s to the 1950s. The staff dress in period costume and they have over 13,000 replica items. The costumes are researched and created by the park staff to represent each historical period truly.
The Village is divided into four distinct areas, each reflecting a different time in Western Culture. The Hudson bay Fur trading Fort 1864, The Pre-Railway settlement village 1880, The RailwayPrairie Town 1910, and the new addition of the Heritage Town Square 1920s to 1950s. The Village has over 100 exhibits, and one of the most popular is the First Nations Encampment, which represents the first peoples in Canada.
Take a ride on the S.S. Moyle, a recreated old paddlewheel steamer that paddles guests around the scenic Glenmore Reservoir. There is a “Calgary Railway” streetcar that visitors can hop on for a ride to and from the parking lot. Another fun and nostalgic highlight is the old fashioned Midway, with working antique amusement rides and games. There is a working blacksmith, hotel, and bakery.
It is like stepping back in time, and the costumed staff are there to reenact life in those early days. Taking a trip to the bakery brings the smell of freshly baked bread from the hearth. It may even get you a taste! Flett’s blacksmith shop is a working” Smithey,” and back when the shop initially opened, it cost 50 cents for four horseshoes to shoe a horse. The “Smithey” was in business until 1920, and in 1964 a family member donated the shop and had it moved to the Village.
It takes a village to maintain and keep the park running smoothly. There are 100 full-time employees and over 400 part-time seasonal employees. Being a registered charity, through the park’s donations, it receives much community support. It shows that with over 1,800 volunteers, who are a vital part of park operations. Their roles range from Board of Trustee members, food service, program delivery, to making and caring for the costumes, and much more.
Heritage Village Historical Park has so much history to teach and show with many interactive experiences that it takes time to fully experience the park. Spending time in each of the period houses and buildings shows the details of what early life was like. It is truly a fantastic way to take a step back and spend the day exploring the Old Western Canadian Culture.
The park has two operating seasons. The Heritage Historical Village is open from May to October. During that time, the paddle Steamer takes a ride around the reservoir every half an hour. The Steam locomotive thunders in and out of the station every 30-40 minutes. Both other main park areas Gasoline Alley and Heritage Park Square, are open year-round complete with unique shopping and dining.
Check out the Winsport Canada Olympic Park which is in Calgary AB too.
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