History
In 1969, 54 years after the original Fort Edmonton was torn down, the Fort Edmonton Foundation was founded to receive moneys and direct the development of the living memorial to the old Fort—Fort Edmonton Park. The concept of the Park, however, quickly grew to encompass much more than simply a fort.
“Shortly
after the end of Word War II the Northern Alberta Pioneers and Old Timers
Association took an interest in the re-establishment of Fort Edmonton as a
visible memorial to the city.” (1)
A delegation, including Mr. Sam Dickson, went to discuss their ideas with
Premier Manning, “but nothing developed at that time.” (2)
Instead, it would take another 18 years.
In 1966, Edmonton City Council approved “in principle” the Rotary Club’s proposal for a heritage Park and Fort reconstruction. The Rotary Clubs put up $135,000 towards the reconstruction of the Fort’s palisades and bastions which were completed in 1970. The City of Edmonton purchased the Danard Great Northwest Pioneer Village in July 1967 and the buildings and artifacts were moved to the Park site where they formed the nucleus of 1885 Street. July of ’67 also saw the Fort Edmonton Park dedication ceremony. The Fort Edmonton Park Master Plan was created in 1968 to provide the framework for both immediate and future development of the Park.
- 1970-74: raised funds to construct a detailed replica of Fort Edmonton as it appeared in 1846.
- 1975-79: raised funds for 1885 Street, which represents Edmonton as a settlement and hosts 27 buildings including period shops, businesses, homes and churches.
- 1980-89: raised funds for 1905 Street, which represents Edmonton as a bustling new city, and 1920 Street, which shows the beginnings of metropolitan life in Edmonton.
- 1990-94:raised funds for additional projects including: an AGT Telephone Exchange on 1920 Street; the partial restoration of the original Firkins House on 1905 Street; and a replica of a York Boat Shed beside the Fort complex.
- 1995-99: the Foundation raised funds for the reconstruction of Blatchford Field Air Hangar on 1920 Street.
- 2000-current: the Foundation raised funds for the Hotel Selkirk and 1920s Midway & Exhibition.
The seven founding members of the Foundation were John A. Beckingham, Raymond Ludford, James G. MacGregor, H. Stan Ragan, J. Newton Shortliffe, Henry G. Ward and Merrill E. Wolfe.
Structure
The stated goals of the Fort Edmonton Foundation are as follows:
- To provide the financial resources for the progress of capital development.
- To develop Fort Edmonton Park according to the Master Plan and assign priorities.
- To work in partnership with the City of Edmonton and support their operation of the Park.
The Foundation also owns and operates the Edmonton Yukon and Pacific (E.Y.& P.) Railway that carries visitors around the perimeter of Fort Edmonton Park.
A volunteer Board of Directors, currently sitting at 15 members, oversees the operation of the Foundation. The Board is the entity responsible for the effective governance of the Foundation. Each member acts in a position of trust for the community. Each Director is also one of up to 100 voting members of the Foundation. In addition to the Board, many other individuals volunteer for the Foundation by sitting on project planning committees, helping with fundraiser events and offering advice and assistance when needed.
The
Fort Edmonton Foundation office is located on site at Fort Edmonton Park.
- Acting Executive Director: Naida Geisler
- Financial Department: Laura Frazer
The Foundation office is indebted to those individuals who have participated in corporate transition programs.