Provincial historic sites of Alberta facts for kids

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Provincial historic sites of Alberta

Frank Slide, Turtle Mountain, Alberta, Canada

Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Some of the displays inside the Royal Tyrrell Museum

Home Grain Co. wooden cribbed elevator at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Provincial Historic Sites of Alberta are special places in Alberta, Canada. They are like museums or important historical spots that the Government of Alberta owns and takes care of. These sites help us learn about Alberta's past, from ancient times to more recent history.

Only places owned by the provincial government and run as a real historic site or museum are called Provincial Historic Sites. Other old buildings or areas might be important too, but they get different names like "Registered Historic Resource." There are even "Provincial Historic Areas" for groups of old buildings, like in downtown Fort Macleod and Old Strathcona in Edmonton.

Cool Places to Visit in Alberta

Here is a list of the official Provincial Historic Sites in Alberta. Each one tells a unique story about the province!

History of Water and Land

• Brooks Aqueduct: This is an old irrigation system near Brooks. It's like a giant concrete bridge that used to carry water to farms. Now, it's a museum where you can learn how people brought water to dry lands long ago.
• Carmangay Tipi Rings: Near Calgary, this site shows where First Nations people set up their camps. You can see circles of stones that held down their tipis, giving us clues about how they lived thousands of years ago.
• Okotoks Erratic: Near Okotoks, this is a huge rock left behind by glaciers! It's a cool example of how powerful nature can be and how much the land has changed over time.
• Frank Slide Interpretive Centre: This centre in Frank tells the story of a massive rockslide that happened in 1903. A huge part of a mountain broke off, covering a town. It's a powerful reminder of natural disasters and the bravery of the people who lived through it.

First Nations and Pioneer Life

• Father Lacombe Chapel: Located in St. Albert, this is a very old missionary church built in 1861 by Father Albert Lacombe. It's one of the oldest buildings in Alberta and shows us what early churches looked like.
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: Near Fort Macleod, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site. For thousands of years, First Nations people used this cliff to hunt buffalo. It's an amazing place to learn about their hunting skills and way of life.
• Fort George and Buckingham House: Near Elk Point, these were important fur trade posts. Imagine traders from long ago exchanging goods like furs and tools here!
• Historic Dunvegan: Near Fairview, this was another key fur trade post and a mission. It shows how different cultures met and traded in early Alberta.
• Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village: Near Edmonton, this village is like stepping back in time! It's a recreation of how early Ukrainian settlers lived in Canada, with old buildings and people dressed in historical clothes.
• Victoria Settlement: Near Smoky Lake, this was an early pioneer settlement. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of the first European settlers in the area.

Industry and Innovation

• Leitch Collieries: In the Crowsnest Pass, this was once a busy coal mine. You can explore the remains of the mine and learn about the hard work of coal miners.
• Oil Sands Discovery Centre: In Fort McMurray, this centre shows you all about the oil sands. You can learn how oil is found and processed, and how important it is to Alberta's economy.
• Turner Valley Gas Plant: Near Calgary, this was the site of one of Alberta's first big oil discoveries. It's a historic spot for the energy industry in the province.

Museums and Homes

• Lougheed House: This beautiful sandstone mansion from 1891 is in Calgary. It was the home of a very important family and shows us how wealthy people lived over a hundred years ago.
• Remington Carriage Museum: In Cardston, this museum has an amazing collection of horse-drawn carriages and wagons. You can see how people traveled before cars were invented!
• Reynolds-Alberta Museum: Located in Wetaskiwin, this museum is packed with machinery, cars, and even airplanes! It's a great place to see how transportation and technology have changed.
• Royal Alberta Museum: This is the official provincial museum in Edmonton. It has exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to Alberta's human history.
• Royal Tyrrell Museum: Near Drumheller, this museum is famous for its dinosaurs and fossils! It's one of the best places in the world to learn about prehistoric life.
• Rutherford House: This house on the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton was the home of Alberta's first premier (like a governor or prime minister for the province).
• Stephansson House: Near Red Deer, this was the home of a famous Icelandic poet named Stephan G. Stephansson. It's a quiet place to learn about his life and work.
• Tyrrell Field Station: This is a research station related to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, located near Brooks. It's where scientists study fossils and geology in the field.