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Authority record
AR-MS-595-S-5 · Corporate body · 1999-current

Edmonton’s Queer History Project timeline suggests that several gay groups in Edmonton came together in 1982 to organize a mini-Pride Festival, and expanded it to a week-long celebration in 1983 with events such as an art exhibition, film festival, and music night. For the early years of the Pride Festival (ca. 1983-1998), planning for the festival was accomplished by a GALA committee, and then a GLCCE committee. In 1999, the Edmonton Pride Festival Society was formed as the official non-profit organization charged with managing the Pride Festival events. In subsequent years, Pride Festival events have included rallies, fairs, poetry readings, art shows, picnics, sporting events, a film festival, an awards show, a mayor’s brunch and since the early 1990’s, a parade. The festivities take place annually, usually in mid-June.

Edmonton Public Library
AR-RG-27 · Corporate body · 1909-

The Edmonton Public Library was founded in 1909 with the passing of Bylaw 240-1909: A Bylaw to Establish a Public Library. This document enabled the appointment of the Edmonton Library Board. The following year the Strathcona Library Board was appointed. Both libraries opened their loan departments in 1913.

Since its creation the Edmonton Public Library has sought to improve the lives of Edmontonians through various information-related programs and services, relying initially on the printed word, but by the 1950s including audio visual, and more recently digital material as well.

AR-MS-668 · Corporate body · 1913 -

Edmonton's technical school began in October of 1913 in the abandoned city bus barns on 95th Street. It moved 10 years later to the old city market building on 101 Street where it remained until its closing in 1943.

AR-MS-350 · Corporate body · 1968 -

The Department of Research, Development & Information was established in December, 1968, to assist the Edmonton Public School Board with decision making and to ensure the orderly development of the school system. The branch has gone through a number of changes over the years and currently exists as the Research and Evaluation Department. It coordinates all internally and externally originated research projects within the public school system, coordinates all externally funded projects, as well as practicums, and demonstrations or experimental projects conducted in the schools by external agencies. It also provides in-service and consultative services in the areas of research, evaluation and educational data processing. Dr. E.A. Mansfield was Director of Educational Research between 1968 and 1973 within the Department and continued as Director of Research as the department was modified.

AR-MS-399 · Corporate body · 1980 - current

The Edmonton Radial Railway operated from November 1908 to September 1951. There were over 80 cars commissioned by the fleet up to 1930, which conveyed passengers all over the city, including over the High Level Bridge once it was completed in 1913. Railway service was discontinued in 1951 in favour of buses.

The Edmonton Radial Railway Society (ERRS) was formed in 1980 to preserve and restore radial railway cars and foster the appreciation of radial railway transportation. The group has a strong working relationship with Fort Edmonton Park and reconditions and operates the street cars in the park. The ERRS has the largest fleet of heritage streetcars in Western Canada and also operates the streetcar across the High Level Bridge in the summer season.

Edmonton Remembers VE Day
AR-MS-669 · Corporate body · 1995

The European Campaign of the Second World War ended on 8 May 1945 or VE (Victory Europe) Day and to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of that event, the City of Edmonton held a week of Remembrance May 4-8, 1995. The Edmonton Remembers week was officially announced by Mayor Jan Reimer on 24 Mar 1995. The events included: displays by the Canadian military and the Dutch Canadian Community, a military parade, a mess- style dance hosted by Tommy Banks and the Zen Magus Orchestra at the Edmonton Aviation Museum hangar, an official march past and services at the Sir Winston Churchill Square among other community events. The Edmonton Journal newspaper ran a series of personal Second World War stories throughout April and May. Residents were invited to donate historically valuable to the celebration.

Edmonton Rugby Union
AR-MS-672 · Corporate body · 1960 - current

The Edmonton Rugby Union (ERU) is a society and administrative body for rugby teams located in the city of Edmonton and Northern Alberta which was first organized in 1960. The ERU participates in fundraising, works to actively promote the game of rugby to all age groups, and develops and coordinates matches and programs for its members. The ERU is governed by an Executive Board, which in the year following its organization, the President became a member of the Alberta Rugby Union (ARU). At the January 1971 Annual General Meeting, the ERU voted to buy the 33 acre site and build a clubhouse and pitches at what would become Ellerslie Rugby Park, located on Ellerslie Road in Edmonton. Ellerslie Rugby Park was completed in 1975 and was the first regulation sized field in northern Alberta. On April 8, 1981 the Union announced plans for a $2.5M project to improve the pitches and build a new clubhouse. There were 1,500 players and 1000 social members in the ERU by February 25, 1982 when the new 10,000 sq. ft. facility, called "The Club" was officially opened by Mayor Cec Purves and ERU President Dr. Ieuan Evans. Rugby season runs from May to September and the ERU has both men's and women's teams. Every May the season is initiated with the Annual Edmonton Rugbyfest, Canada's largest rugby tournament. There are 14 member clubs that make use of Ellerslie Rugby Park. In 1986 the ERU was faced with overwhelming debt loads but was saved from bankruptcy by a grant from Community Recreation and Culture (CRC) presented by Attorney General Neil Crawford in May 1986. In 2011 the ERU sold four acres of land at Ellerslie Rugby Park to help with renovations. In September 2022, after years of financial losses, Ellerslie Rugby Park announced that it would be closing. The final match at the park was held October 2022. The ERU continues to operate as a membership based society which promotes the game of rugby.

Edmonton Saddlery Co. Ltd.
AR-MS-899 · Corporate body · [ca. 1912] - [ca. 1937]

Edmonton Saddlery Co. Ltd was located at 271 Jasper Ave. East in 1912. At the time they were the largest retail store of its kind in Canada. They sold a wide variety of leather saddlery including cases for men and women, heaters, travel bags, belts and harnesses. In 1912 the shop placed 4th in best exhibits at the Edmonton Exhibition.

Some of the employees of the shop included Joseph Armstrong (foreman), James E. Bennet (janitor), Howard F. Greenwood (accountant), Joseph Heppler (harness maker), John Wiese (harness maker), John McAllister (clerk), and William H. Martin (manager).

In 1923 the shop was located in Fraser Block on Jasper Ave. In 1926 the business was located at 9928 Jasper Ave.

Edmonton Schoolboys' Band
AR-MS-195 · Corporate body · 1935 - 1969

The Edmonton Schoolboys' Band was founded in November 1935 by Vernon Newlove, affectionately known to band members as T.V or ‘the Boss. At the beginning was at the Technical School. John Michaels, founder of the Newsboys’ Band, donated some of the band instruments. Other instruments were player owned or purchased by Mr. Newlove.

The band eventually operated under the jurisdiction of the Edmonton Public School Board, which supplied a bandmaster, practice facilities, and an annual maintenance grant.

In 1937 Mr. Newlove was transferred to McCauley School. This was the time when junior high schools were being introduced in Edmonton. So as students at McCauley were grades 7, 8 and 9, Mr. Newlove started a junior section as a feeder band for the Edmonton Schoolboys’ Band. Band practices were first held in ‘the Band Room’, a small room on the third floor at the school, eventually moving to the school’s auditorium/gymnasium.

The band was in big demand playing parades, rodeos, building openings and played routinely for both the Edmonton Eskimos and the Edmonton Grads.

During WWII Mr. Murray was assigned as Assistant Bandmaster to Mr. Newlove, and put in charge of the junior band. In 1951 the band moved to Victoria Composite High School which had a larger practice area, more storage for the instruments, and a larger performance facility. Both Mr. Newlove and Mr. Murray continued with the band, until their retirements in 1967. At that point the band came under the direction of Robert C. Whittet.

The Edmonton Schoolboys’ Band played their final performance in May 1969 in the Victoria Composite High School Auditorium. In September of that year, the Edmonton Public School Board decided to discontinue the Edmonton Schoolboys’ Band as the band program in Edmonton Public Schools had become well established. A new schools’ band was formed, named the Edmonton Public Schools’ All-City Band, with a senior and junior section, and open to all students in the Edmonton Public School system.

Edmonton Scottish Society
AR-MS-76 · Corporate body · 1937 - current

The Edmonton Scottish Society was formed in 1937 after an amalgamation of the Caledonian Society and the St. Andrew’s Women’s Association. The Edmonton Scottish Society works to promote Scottish heritage through athletic, cultural, and social activities through its annual Highland Gathering.