Historian Laureate

Shirley Lowe is Edmonton’s Historian Laureate.

Lowe’s two-year term as Historian Laureate began on April 1, 2012. She is Edmonton’s second Historian Laureate, succeeding Ken Tingley in this honourary position.

Lowe will promote the public awareness of Edmonton’s history through research, writing and public appearances. The Historian Laureate is the City’s official ambassador on historical matters and advocate for the preservation of Edmonton’s historical properties and resources.

As former president of the Edmonton and District Historical Society, Lowe helped found the long-running Historic Edmonton Week Festival.

While on the Edmonton Historical Board, she served as the Chair of the first Historic Resource Review Panel, which plays a significant role in the identification and preservation of heritage buildings and historic areas throughout the City. Lowe worked with City of Edmonton heritage planners in achieving designation for Old Strathcona as an Alberta Historic Area.

An accomplished author, Lowe has been involved as co-author or editor on a number of books celebrating the history of Edmonton including West Side Story—a history of the Westmount, Inglewood and Glenora neighbourhoods, and Built on Coal—a history of the town and community of Beverly.

In her role as the official Historian Laureate for Edmonton, Lowe will promote the distinct and complex history of the City, aiding Council in its continuing efforts to make Edmonton a more diverse, culturally aware, sustainable and livable city.   

Edmonton is the only municipality in Canada with a Historian Laureate. The Edmonton Historical Board and Edmonton Heritage Council administer the City’s Historian Laureate program.

For more information:

Carol Hurst

Title	Senior Communications Advisor, Communications
Telephone	780-496-8266

Shirley Lowe

Email	historian.laureate@edmonton.ca