Chestermere Historical Foundation

08/31/2026

Great news, some of the horns for 'Word of Mouth' have now been spun! Here they are with artist and creator, Illarion Gallant. There are more to come but here is a sneak peek at what they will look like. RusnakGallant.com

07/30/2026

Thank you to th 37 people who came out last night to hear Sonja LeDuc talk about the early cabin days at Chestermere and CCOA Board Members who made this community happen. (in attendance special guests Bill Porter, Marg Farch and Roy Berg and members of the Vince O’Connor family) This presentation was part of Historic Calgary Week 2026 and CHF was proud to participate once again. Thank you Sonja and CLFOA for doorpirze! Chinook Country Historical Society . Note: there are still many events left so check out the schedule— join CHF member Shelly McElroy tomorrow for an historic walk around Beiseker. See you there!

07/07/2026

Thank you City of Chestermere for displaying the replica plaques for the Town of Chestermere and Summer Village of Chestermere in the lobby! And for this great photo from Inder Chahal Marla Forth Ron Forth

06/19/2026

Every spring CHF Members do an 'historical' outing, so on Tues June 16th 10 members visited The Military Museums. Thanks to our tour host, Logan, we had an extensive visit to the PPCLI display, and a walk through of the Naval Museum. One of our gang, WWII Veteran Elmer Friesen, who was accompanied by member Ken Friesen, was able to connect with another WWII Veteran Bob, who was volunteering at the Museum. Thank you to Logan for a lovely souvenir book, to Deanna Ernst for photos and to everyone who took time to attend. Eileen Elizabeth Kay Clarke City of Chestermere

06/18/2026

Thank you to the Communications Department City of Chestermere for displaying the new plaques which have been donated by The City of Chestermere for the Word of Mouth scupture which will be completed this season. Stop in and see the plaques! Kay Clarke Eileen Elizabeth

06/09/2026

Congratulations Mya Butler on this wonderful personal story of your home town— Chestermere!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?ra=m&fbclid=IwRlRTSASU3oVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKjUGO55LaCGBzLnWpVjQs0tIGvt6GLSOa7sTR3IY0J2suSp7WZ_nWWoE1M_aem_4wUvcoFbh-bknOrp8_0o-g&v=LIuJP7hpSIE&pp=iggCQAE%3D

The Town I Used To Know follows filmmaker Mya Butler as she returns...

06/04/2026

A wonderful place to visit— full of amazing things from the past!

🚜 Join us for the 56th Annual Pioneer Acres Show! 🌾

Get ready for an incredible weekend of history, history-making, and family fun at Alberta’s Pioneer Steam Power Festival, in partnership with the Heritage Boilers Association (Alberta)!

📅 When: August 7, 8, and 9, 2026
⏰ Hours: Gates open at 7:30 AM | Demonstrations begin at 9:00 AM
📍 Where: Pioneer Acres Museum (North of Irricana)

🌟 Event Highlights:
Guinness Book of World Records Feature: Come and meet Beef, the world's tallest steer standing at a massive 6’5” (Saturday & Sunday only)!
Daily Parades: Kicking off at 12:15 PM.
Tractor Pulls: Catch the action from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Live Demos: Blacksmiths, wheelwrights, Steele Scouts Troupe, plus live horse-drawn and steam-powered field work & threshing.
And More: Explore the Grain Academy model train display, exhibits, a bake sale, and the Pioneer Market!

🍔 Food & Refreshments:
Skip cooking—we've got you covered!
A full concession and food trucks will be available on-site!
Start your morning right with our Daily Pancake Breakfast.
🎵 Evening Entertainment (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM):
Friday Night: Live music by Silence In B’tween.
Saturday Night: Live music by the 4Trax band.
✨ Wrap up the weekend with Cowboy Church on Sunday at 11:00 AM.

📞 Contact & Info:
For more details, visit our website at www.pioneeracres.ab.ca or call us at 403-935-4357.

See you there! 🇨🇦

06/02/2026

A wonderful ‘warm’ indoor event today with Chestermere Whitecappers Association as part of Seniors Week! Thank you Chantelle de Jonge for Chestermere-Strathmoremore and Mayor Dean for such kind words about the work of CHF 😊 (photos Inder Chahal)

05/30/2026

The Moodie farmhouse--almost gone. You can still see this farmhouse on the south side along 17 Ave SE. It was built by Alfred George Moodie. [From Saddles Sleighs and Sadirons p 117-118]
"He was born 1868 in Mitchell ON, and came west in 1882 ( even before the CPR). An early setter in the three new roadless areas of the prairies, he made his home at E1/2 7-24-28-W4. His experiences were legion and equal in interest and courage to any others of his day. In 1904 he settled on the home farm (this house) over which crossed the 'Blackfoot Trail." ... A large industrial firm requested permission to have Mr. Moodie's original horse brand placed on the Brand Ceiling of the Horsemen's Hall of Fame. The honour was declined as this would be unthinkiable to one who attributed his long healthy life to the drinking of nothing stronger than 'Cambric tea.' Alfred Moodie married Mary McElroy the sister of Ward McElroy of Delacour. Unknown to all but the immediate household, Mr and Mrs Moodie were most liberal and faithful in the financial support of the Gospel of Christ. They had one son Gordon who is in the oil business and one daugher Barbara, on the home farm. Alfred Moodied died in March 1969 almost 101 years of age. "
The third photo is of a Fresno scraper, pulled out by Barbara Moodie in 1981 for this photo, as testament to her father Alfred's work on building the CPR dam which formed Chestermere Lake, Reservoir #1. Chinook Country Historical Society City of Chestermere

05/20/2026

Thank you everyone who came out today for “Fishing in Chestermere” by Doreen Masran. From the early development of fish on earth to the varieties we find here in our lake today—common and rare. Thank you Dee Ernst for a unique display of fishing paraphernalia. 😊 (photos Anna Taranova)!