The Greater Bragg Creek Historical Society (GBCHS) is looking for history buffs who would like to volunteer and learn more about the history of Bragg Creek and surrounding areas.
The idea for the newly-formed GBCHS came out of the Greater Bragg Creek Area Structure Plan (ASP) that was adopted by Rocky View County (RVC) council February 27, 2007.
In the late 1990s, Bragg Creek resident and chairperson of the GBCHS Judie Norman was a member of the Greater Bragg Creek ASP committee representing North Bragg Creek.
Norman joined the committee because as a long-term resident she could represent and lend a voice regarding the role the history of a community plays when planning its future development.
Norman’s parents bought property in the area in 1947 when she was a still a baby.
Norman became chair of the GBCHS because she was the person who ensured that the recommendation for its formation was included in the ASP.
“I was the oldest member on the ASP committee and knew the most about the history of the community,” said Norman. “I had to try to convince our panel why the recommendation for an historical society had to be included in the ASP.”
“I feel history is important because you have to know where you came from if you want to know where you are going.”
Two years ago, Norman and the late Bragg Creek resident Don Moore began meeting informally in order to establish the GBCHS.
Moore and Norman applied for a grant from the county, which they received in 2014 and were therefore able to officially establish the society.
The GBCHS held its first official monthly public meeting in September 2014, with over 20 people in attendance.
“Each meeting seems to be bring a little more interest from the community,” said Norman. “I am receiving phone calls from people who know nothing about our history and would like to learn.”
The organization became a registered society in November, giving them the ability to raise funds for future projects.
“I want to thank Kate Mergen for all her help writing our bylaws and helping us become a registered society,” said Norman. “I also want to thank the late Don Moore for helping to establish the society. He was so interested in getting this organization started and was a gung-ho person and a history buff.”
Norman said Bragg Creek used to be part of the M.D. of Foothills until 1960, when it joined RVC for a variety of reasons, including allowing area children to attend school in the county community of Springbank instead of being bussed a great distance to High River.
Bragg Creek residents can learn a lot about the history of the community by becoming involved in the society, said Norman.
“My hope for the society is that eventually we will have a building that will act as a local museum and will house and display important historical information,” said Norman. “It will document the history of Bragg Creek and greater area, including Millarville, Priddis and Jumping Pound.”
In the 1990s, Bragg Creek resident Barb Teghtmeyer wrote articles about the history of Bragg Creek for the High County News and has since taken an avid interest in the newly-formed historical society.
“I think it is amazing that the society has been officially founded and they are devoting so much time to it,” said Teghtmeyer. “I am so happy they are doing this, and I am willing to act as an historian if they would like to consult with me.”
Norman would like to encourage Bragg Creek and surrounding area residents to volunteer for the organization and attend future meetings.
“We have a lot of interesting history and a lot of that history could lead us into a more sustainable future direction,” she said. “Become involved so you don’t forget the past and the people who made this a desirable place for those who came later.”
For more information about the GBCHS call Norman at 403-949-3287 or email [email protected].
