Heritage Park Historical Village

Infobox Museum
name = Heritage Park Historical Village

---

imagesize = 250
map_type = Calgary
map_caption = Location in Calgary
latitude = 50.98404
longitude = -114.10554
established =
dissolved =
location = flag|Calgary, flag|Alberta
type = Historical park
visitors =
director = Alida Visbach
curator =
publictransit = Heritage C-Train station
website = [http://www.heritagepark.ca/ Heritage Park]

Heritage Park Historical Village is a historical park located in Calgary, Alberta. The park is located on 66 acres (267,000 m²) of parkland on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir, along the city's southwestern edge. It is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Fact|date=January 2008 It is also the largest historical village in Canada. [Cite web|url=http://www.calgaryplus.ca/arts_entertainment/heritage_park_historical_village/1001638|title=Heritage Park Historical Village|author=CalgaryPlus|accessdate=2008-03-28] The park is branded as a living museum since it features a village that was recreated to appear as it might have in late 19th and early 20th century Alberta. Many of the historical buildings are real and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts. Even the park's staff costumes and maintenance vehicles are true to the time. Calgary Transit provides regular shuttle service from Heritage C-Train station.

Park structure

The park is divided into three distinct areas reflecting different time periods in Western Canadian history: The Hudson's Bay Company Fur Trading Fort (although no Hudson's Bay fort ever existed in Calgary), circa 1864, The Pre-Railway Settlement Village, circa 1880, and The Railway Prairie Town, circa 1910. It should also be noted that Fort Edmonton Park in Edmonton, Alberta is the largest living history museum in Canada at 158 acres, contrary to Heritage Park's 66.

Exhibits

* A working steam locomotive and train that takes passengers around the park
* A replica streetcar from Calgary's former streetcar system that shuttles passengers to and from the parking lot
* A re-creation of the paddle steamer, S.S. Moyie that traverses the Glenmore Reservoir
* An antique midway that features working historical amusement park rides
* A working smithy, bakery, hotel, restaurant, and several shops
* Horse-drawn wagons
* A Hudson's Bay Company trading fort, although no fort owned byt the Hudson Bay Company ever existed in Calgary.

Expansion

Heritage Park is currently undergoing a major expansion. The addition, which will constitute a new theme area, will feature several new buildings depicting a larger 1930s-era western Canadian town. It is expected to open in 2008.

Some of the new attractions will include:
* an orientation/visitor's centre (within a replica railway station)
* a 1930s town square (which will include shops, an antique photo parlour, and food services)
* a new show room for the park's extensive antique car and memorabilia collection (previously housed in Gasoline Alley)
* a re-creation of a CPR railway station restaurant

Additionally, a "Gasoline Alley Transportation Museum" will be opened in fall 2008. [Cite web|url=http://www.calgaryattractions.com/heritage.html|title=Heritage Park Historical Village|author=Calgary Attractions|accessdate=2008-03-28]

References

External links

* [http://www.heritagepark.ca/ Heritage Park Historical Village]