Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society will be hosting its Homecoming/Anniversary celebration next month in honour of its 60 years.
The celebration is a large and inclusive one that would not just be celebrating the anniversary of the historical society or those who went to school in Jasper, but other groups as well.
鈥淎 lot of ex-teachers are coming back, but we wanted to make sure that you didn鈥檛 have to be going to school here to feel a connection to the community,鈥� said Herb Robinson, chair of the Homecoming/Anniversary Committee.
Starting in 1963, the historical society owns and operates the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum.
Robinson, who served as past president, first got involved with the society around 1995.
鈥淚 was born and raised here but came back and worked in a family business and was looking for something to do, and there was a newspaper article about joining the board,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o, I answered that. It鈥檚 kind of an odd way to begin something like that, but next thing you know, here it is: 2023.鈥�
The idea of a reoccurring reunion has been percolating in the background as a potential way to fundraise for the society, but this did not come to fruition due to COVID and other factors.
However, Robinson saw that the society was having an anniversary coming up in 2023, a chance to have a much-needed celebration following the pandemic.
鈥淎nd so, our society got involved with the old reunion/gathering idea, but we鈥檝e made pains not to call it a reunion,鈥� he said, noting that many individuals had raised their children and grandchildren in Jasper but went to school elsewhere themselves.
鈥淪o, we鈥檙e trying to make it very inclusive, which is why we're calling it a homecoming, as opposed to a reunion, and, of course, it鈥檚 also significant for us in terms of celebrating our 60th, which is why the society has kind of got a committee together.鈥�
Groups that have committed to participate in the event include the Municipality of Jasper, the Jasper Rotary Club, the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division, the Warden Alumni Association and the Seniors Society of Jasper.
Robinson added that he hoped other groups considered joining.
A wine-and-cheese reception will take place at the museum on Aug. 27.
The next day, groups and organizations will set up booths at the Activity Centre that will detail their origins and contributions to Jasper.
That evening, there will be a meal and fellowship 鈥渟torytelling鈥� at the Activity Centre.
The ticket includes a membership into the society.
鈥淲e were hoping that, you know, people will find this really credible organization will become members next year and year after, so in that sense, it鈥檚 a bit of a fundraiser for us as well,鈥� Robinson said.
鈥淲e want to showcase to them the museum that they are now part owners of.鈥�
The society is also hoping to have Eleonore and Joe Schuurmans attend the Homecoming and showcase some of the stuffed animals that used to be housed in the Wildlife Museum at Whistlers Inn but have since come into the possession of the society.
The specimens are in storage right now, and the society is currently working on a project to build an area to display them in the back of the museum.
鈥淭his Homecoming will hopefully get people in the community excited about those sorts of projects, and maybe somebody with a wallet might be able to help us out,鈥� Robinson said.
To register or for more information, visit .
The hotel rooms and special rates for the event as posted on the website will expire in two weeks.
