Throughout the summer, Chestermere residents are encouraged to learn about the community’s history during free Historic Walking Tours.
Organizer of the Historic Walking Tours, Shelly McElroy relates that she wants to create tours for residents who wish to go for an evening summer walk and learn about their community’s history.
“My goal is that by the time people complete the walk, they will have a sense that there are many more stories than they thought,” McElroy said.
“The tour that I host starts 13 thousand years ago, people just have no idea about the depth of the stories that are surrounding them,” she added.
Throughout the tour, people can expect to hear four to five historical stories, along with information regarding the Blackfoot, the early settlers and what their lives entailed while build their homes and the irrigation system in the community.
“I think any tour that doesn’t answer all of your questions is better than one that does because it turns you into a researcher,” McElroy said.
She added, “What I’m hoping is people go away excited to keep learning and appreciate their home a little bit more.”
Currently, McElroy has been battling against the rainy weather during the Historic Walking Tours.
She added, a century ago a series of June picnics were attempted, however, they were eventually moved to September because of the cold weather and rain.
“This is par for the course. The good news is that the tours are going to continue all summer and into October. Often in Alberta that’s when we get our good weather, so I’m not daunted at all,” she said.
Despite the rain, McElroy is excited for what’s to come throughout the summer.
“I’m really excited to see where it goes. I have a feeling it might take a little bit of time to get going, but I think it could be a really fun thing for all of us to do this summer,” McElroy said.
Although Historic Walking Tours are not common in Western Canada, Chestermere’s tour has gained people’s interest.
“I really love when people say they would go on the tour again, and I have people who have come back, which is a big compliment,” McElroy said.
She added, the Historic Walking Tours are essential to Chestermere because history is beneficial for the soul.
“We need history, it helps us feel less alone, we need context, we need meaning, and we need hope. History really helps us to orientate ourselves and get a sense of things that have happened before, and how we should live more thoughtful and appreciative lives now,” McElroy said.
To attend the Historical Walking Tours, please meet in front of the Chestermere Public Library every Thursday at 7 p.m.
