the boomtown trail's living history project

8/22/2019 The Boomtown Trail's Living History Project

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Boomtown rail hits the Capital City

On May 9, 2011, Boomtown rail had the pleasure of

being introduced in the Alberta Legislature. It was a day to

celebrate the art of storytelling and the integral role it plays

in helping to shape our understanding of both the past and

the present.

Te Boomtown rails Living History Project brings

local, cultural stories to life with local residents portraying

historical characters at museums, events and attractions

throughout the trail. Te project has its roots in the art of

storytelling as a way of preserving our history. More than

this though, the characters blur the distinction between past

and present by immersing the audience in another time.


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Eight of the Boomtown rail characters made it to the Legislature where they

met with MLAs from across Alberta. With its 16-story vaulted dome, marble

pillars and hand-carved wood doors, the Alberta Legislature offered the

perfect backdrop for the Boomtown characters to gather. As they stood in the

fifth floor hallway overlooking the rotunda, one could almost imagine it was

the turn of the 20thcentury.

TourismMiniste

rCindyAdywith

LilyPithouse,Mr

s.BashawandSar

ahBrown.

Gabriel Dumont with Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ray Prins and

Leduc-Beaumont-Devon MLA George Rogers


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Before being introduced in the Alberta Assembly, everyone met

for an informal lunch in the Carillon Room. Located on the fifth

floor of the legislature, the Carillon Room is a beautiful space

with a curved, stained glass ceiling. Tis wasnt your standard

meeting of officials talking budgets and policies, however.

On this day, it was full of enchantment.

Leduc-Beaumont-Devon MLA George Rogers with Miss

Morrison and Lily Pithouse

Lily Pithouse in the Carillon Room


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Te characters took turns regaling the MLAs with tales that span not

only the trail but also the spectrum of life as it was a century ago. From

Mrs. Bashaw, whose husband bought the land that would eventually

become the own of Bashaw after a fateful poker game - to DollieWilliams, an unapologetic gossiper who opened the first restaurant in

Bashaw. From Sarah Browns life as settler at Dried Meat Lake to Miss

Rogers recollections of being the first telephone operator in the Village

of Delburne.

Dollie Williams and Miss Rogers

Boomtown characters and rural MLAs in the Carillon Room


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From Gabriel Dumonts great buffalo hunts at rail Creek near Buffalo Lake to Mary Alice aylor Presants

husband finding dinosaur bones in Tree Hills. Lily Pithouse spoke of her fathers homestead in Hay Lakes. And

Miss Morrison, a school teacher from Drumheller, didnt hold back, taking the opportunity to address the MLAsabout removing a c lause in her contract that says she cant marry.

Miss Morrison

Gabriel Dumont Mary Alice aylor Presant and Lily Pithouse


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Tese are the insights and nuances that make up Albertas

history and that make the Boomtown rail characters unique.

Tey dont simply preserve the history as a static, unchanging

artifact, but rather they portray the characters hopes and fears,

breathing life into the stories behind the history.

During the meeting, it was clear everyone agrees on the importance of

preserving the stories that make up Albertas history. It was also evident

that everyone agrees on the need to collaborate to help preserve our

rural communities. In the words of ourism Minister Cindy Ady, all the

players must work together in a pack to accomplish goals and affect

change.


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After a tour of the legislature

grounds, the trip concluded with

Justice Minister Verlyn Olson

introducing the Boomtown rail

at the Legislative Assembly

of Alberta, acknowledging

Boomtown rail and the characters

in particular for their part bringing

the history of rural Alberta to life.


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Te Boomtown rail characters provide us with a rare opportunity to immerse

ourselves in another time. Dont miss a chance to experience Albertas rural

history for yourself. Te Boomtown rail characters will continue to make

appearances atvarious events and dinner theatres across the trail, starting with

Dessert Teatre at Cumberland Hall on June 18th.For more information, visit

www.boomtowntrail.com

the boomtown trail's living history project

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