J A S P E R - Y E L L O W H E A D    H I S T O R I C A L    S O C I E T Y

MISSION


993.37.51a
The official ceremony of The Jasper Yellowhead Historical Society, Museum Sod Turning August 1980.

The Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society will promote the awareness, understanding and the appreciation of our regional heritage, both natural and cultural to the residents and visitors of our community.

VISION

The Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society will be recognized by park residents and visitors as a dynamic, high profile, self-sufficient, community oriented organization.  It will play a lead role in delivering effective, high quality programs, services and products about Jasper’s cultural history, particularly within a museum environment.  On its own and in partnership with others, JYHS will be the community’s first choice for learning about the area’s past, for contributing artifacts and archival materials, and for choosing a credible, reliable partner to promote Jasper’s heritage values.


PA 22-15
Jasper's Diamond Jubilee year, recognized at the regular meeting of the Jasper Yellowhead Historical Society. Mrs. M.L. Peterson, Historian, cuts the cake. She is flanked by Ian Coates, president of the society, and Bob Baxter, speaker for the evening. November 1973.
JYHS – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Jasper Historical Society held its first general meeting in January, 1963.  Its early projects included working with Jasper National Park to install a commemorative plaque at Athabasca Pass and to protect heritage items at the Palisades Ranch and Pocahontas

graveyard.  The society, renamed the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society (JYHS), established its office and archives in the basement of the Jasper Library.  In 1977, JYHS registered as a non-profit, charitable organization:

  • To encourage the study of the history of Alberta and Canada, particularly as it pertains to Jasper and vicinity
  • To save from oblivion the memories…to obtain and preserve narratives…of the original inhabitants of the area, including missionaries, fur traders, explorers and settlers
  • To collect all data possible on the early history of Jasper townsite and its early citizens
  • To locate, preserve and mark the local points of historical interest and
  • To establish and operate a museum

PA 34-24
Fred Brewster was at this time the Honorary President of the Jasper Yellowhead Historical Society.

JYHS started working toward a museum in 1978.  In 1985, they agreed to purchase a partially complete building on Pyramid Lake Road.  In 1990 the lower floor of this structure was complete and the society’s office and archives moved in.  In 1992 the main floor office area, retail outlet and Temporary Gallery were opened and the Permanent Exhibit Gallery, to focus on Jasper’s social and human history entered the planning stage. In 1996 a Federal-Provincial Infrastructure grant was obtained, and combined with over $80,000 in JYHS fundraising, development of the Permanent Historical Gallery began.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

  • In 1963, we held our first meeting
  • In 1977, we incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization
  • In 1978, we began raising funds to develop a museum and archives
  • In 1985, the current building was purchased
  • In 1986, a mortgage burning was held.
  • In 1987, a planning study was commissioned to develop the museum in six phases
  • In 1993, Phases I-V of this capital development was completed
  • In 1998, five of ten permanent historical displays were opened
  • In 1999, four additional historical exhibits were completed
  • In 2001, the final historical exhibit was installed

AGM REPORTS

2010 Annual Report

2010 Financials

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors are all volunteers.
board@jaspermuseum.org
Board of Directors (as of April 2011):

President: B. Bell
Vice President: H. Robinson
Secretary: C. Ball
Treasurer: S. MacQueen
Directors: M. Cameron
J. Derksen
M. Wasuita
H. Young-Leslie
Historian J. Couture
JNP Liaison: K. Walker
Municipality
Liaison:
G. Wall

 

 

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