City of Edmonton Archives

Main page content begins here

Located in the historic Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, the City of Edmonton Archives is a public research facility housing civic government and private records of enduring significance that document Edmonton's history.

We will be reopening on June 14, 2021, by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 780-496-5989.

Before You Visit

Please do not visit the Archives:
- if you have travelled within the last 14 days
- if you have been in contact with anyone sick with COVID-19 within the last 14 days
- if you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms. These include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, and/or others listed on Alberta Health Services website.
Appointments are available by phone only and will be for a three-hour window (morning or afternoon). All visitors must book an appointment which will have a specific time for your entry into the Archives. To book an appointment, please call 780-496-5989.
Once the appointment is made an archivist will contact you to arrange which material you wish to view.
We will be capping daily attendance at six per three-hour session to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

At the Archives

Reception sign-in has been reduced and there are no forms to fill out. You can contact the Archives by phone or email in advance to arrange retrieval of the materials required
There will be one-way access on separate paths for entry and exit
There will be no tours or programs offered for the rest of 2020
Water fountains will not be available
All restrooms will be open and cleaned regularly
Increased hand sanitizer stations will be available, including at the entrance, exit, and in the reference room
Please follow all Alberta Health Services guidelines for physical distancing

Health and Safety Measures

Some walkways inside the Archives will only be open for one-way traffic to allow for mandatory physical distancing
Please respect all directional signage
All staff and visitors are expected to follow provincial public health guidelines

Facility Hours

The facility will be open 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday with a late-night option on Wednesdays until 8:00pm.
The last timed entry will be 1:30pm.

Please note that appointments must be booked in advance. Appointments will be available at 10 minute intervals and you will enter the Prince of Wales Armouries / Archives at the specific time of your appointment. We will be capping Archives capacity at six per session (12 visitors per day).

Tips and Hints

How to get the most out of your archives experience.

What Are Archives?

Learn a little bit about archives and archivists.

Online Catalogue

Online archival photographs and finding aids to our collections.

Our Collections

Learn about the collections at the City of Edmonton Archives.

News and Upcoming Events

Find out what’s happening at the City of Edmonton Archives.

View our Online Exhibits

We use the records at the City of Edmonton Archives to tell stories about Edmonton’s past.

Order Copies

High quality reproductions of most of our records are available for purchase.

Donate Records

You can help keep Edmonton’s history alive. Find out how!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drop in at the door?

No. At this time, appointments must be made in advance. Appointments will be available at 10 minute intervals and you will enter the Prince of Wales Armouries / Archives during the specific time window on your ticket. To purchase tickets, please visit MoveLearnPlay.

I made my appointment. Do I have to come right at the start time? Do I have to exit at a certain time?

We ask that you please arrive during the window of time you selected for your appointment slot. We will be closely monitoring capacity to ensure everyone has a safe and comfortable visit. We only have limited space available.

In order to accommodate many people who have been waiting weeks to get access to documents in the Archives we will be initially limiting visits to three hours. If you need longer, or another visit, speak with an archivist to see if there is another appointment available.

Do I have to wear a face mask?

Effective August 1, 2020, wearing a mask or face covering is mandatory in all indoor public places and public vehicles. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/COVID19.

How frequently are you cleaning the washrooms?

All bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized regularly at least once during each session visit in the day. Please practice good hand hygiene.

Will you be providing face masks?

No.

Will there be any food service available?

No. The vending machines and water fountains will not be available.

How will I navigate the facility?

Directional signage is in place, and staff will be onsite to help maintain the flow of traffic.

Will there be hand sanitizer stations around the facility?

Yes, we will ensure hand sanitizer is available at several locations and within the reference room, including at the entrance and exit. We also encourage you to bring your own sanitizer and to wash your hands often with soap and water.

What happens if there is a COVID19 exposure while I am visiting?

In the unlikely event that this does happen, the City of Edmonton will work with Alberta Health Services to ensure all proper processes and protocols are followed.

For More Information