Another One for the History Books

May 16, 2012

City of Edmonton names new Historian Laureate

The City of Edmonton has named Shirley Lowe as its new Historian Laureate.

“Edmonton has a great story as a city and it’s important for people to know about it,” said Lowe. “It’s a tremendous honour to be selected as Historian Laureate and to be given the trust and responsibility to tell Edmonton’s story.”

Lowe has been active in Edmonton’s heritage community for years, bringing history out of the lecture halls into more informal settings, including walking tours and the Historic Edmonton Week Festival which she helped found.

Lowe, a life-long Edmontonian, has worked with the City of Edmonton in achieving designation for Old Strathcona as an Alberta Historic Area. She has served on numerous historical boards in Edmonton and co-authored several local history books.

“This is very exciting for the City of Edmonton,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Identifying and preserving our heritage is extremely important to our city. Shirley Lowe has a passion and commitment to bringing Edmonton’s history to life and I look forward to seeing her in the role of Historian Laureate. I know she will do Edmonton proud.”

Edmonton is the only municipality in Canada with a Historian Laureate.

The role of Historian Laureate is to promote Edmonton’s heritage through research, writing and public appearances. Lowe is the City of Edmonton’s second Historian Laureate, succeeding Ken Tingley.

As Historian Laureate, Lowe plans to continue the work she’s done in gathering stories of the changes in some of Edmonton’s older neigbourhoods such as Oliver, Westmount, Glenora and Inglewood.  

Lowe will join Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, Anna Marie Sewell, in marking important civic occasions. She will work closely with the Edmonton Historical Board and Edmonton Heritage Council which administer the Historian Laureate program.

For more information:

Carol Hurst