Historical Society hosting walking tour

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 8, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman The Lethbridge Historical Society is bringing back their Henderson Lake walking tour Sunday starting at Gunnery Point at 2 p.m.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Historical Society is bringing back one of their walking tours Sunday after a few years absence and will introduce a few more throughout the summer and fall.

Belinda Crowson, president of the LHS, told the Herald in a recent interview that after almost five years, they are bringing back one of their tried-and-true tours.

“We’re going to be doing the Henderson Lake, which we haven’t done in person for a long time, probably since before the pandemic,” said Crowson.

The tour will began at the gunnery point on the East side of the lake, at 2 p.m. Those in attendance will explore the history and stories of Henderson Park and Lake through a guided tour.

“We’ll also be doing a 13th Street North, Warehouse District, some of the other ones that people enjoy like the Hardieville tour, a cemetery tour, all of those will be completely free and open to the public,” said Crowson.

She said that while most tours are free and open to the public the LHS is offering a few that are exclusively for members and their guests.

“We’re introducing a murder one in October called ‘Murders of Lethbridge’ and a ‘Bars of Lethbridge,’ only for members so people have to bring their cards proving they are members or be invited by one of our members,” said Crowson.

She said that even though the general information of the events is public, only members will know the location and time of those tours.

“I hope people will come out, it’s a great way of learning about the community and a fun way to explore Lethbridge,” said Crowson.

She said the tours help create a sense of community among those who attend, as well as a sense of place when they tour different neighbourhoods.

“When we do the neighbourhood tours they give people a sense of where they live and the history of the communities, of the buildings, of the people who lived or how we all fit into it,” said Crowson.

She believes we all have connections not only to people today, but also to the people of the past and of this land.

“That’s what these tours allow, as well as with the historical sites it helps build awareness of our society and who we are and what we do,” said Crowson.

When talking about what people need to bring to the walking tours, Crowson said first and foremost a good sense of humour and an inquisitive nature.

“But it’s also a good idea to wear good walking shoes, bring your water along, make sure you have a hat and sunscreen depending on the time of the day,” said Crowson.

She said they try to book the tours for times of the day that are not expected to be too hot, but it is always a good idea to be prepared for any changes in weather, from extra heat to rain.

Dress for the weather, if it really rains we will cancel, but we usually go even in the wind or rain,” said Crowson.