Structure
The Fort Edmonton Foundation, as an independent charitable organization, is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Each member of the Board acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the Foundation.
The Board of Directors meets monthly to determine the actions of the Foundation. Most members of the Board sit on one of several committees. Each Board Member is an ambassador to the community-generating increased positive awareness of the Foundation. Moreover, all Board Members have donated financially toward one or more of the Foundation's current campaigns, projects and special events. Foundation Board Members are all, ultimately, donating their wealth, wisdom and work to make the community a better place for future generations. They are committed to completing the legacy that is Fort Edmonton Park.
2009 - 2010 Board of Directors
|
Honourary Chief Factor President Treasurer Secretary Past President |
Directors |
Past Presidents
Merrill E. Wolfe, 1970-1974
Ray Ludford, 1974-1977
Walter C. Howard, 1977-1980
William R. Jarvis, 1980-1982
Gary G. Campbell, 1982-1985
C. T. (Chuck) Cripps, 1985-1988
Jack D. Edworthy, 1988-1991
Brian W. L. Tod, 1991-1993
Jennifer J. Oakes, 1993-1995
John C. Howard, 1995-1997
Mary-Lou Hamilton, 1997-1999
Don Smith, 1999-2001
Diane Gagnon, 2001-2003
Douglas O. Goss, 2003-2004
Barry Johns, 2004-2005
Laird Kulak, 2005 - 2008
Judi Kendall, 2008-2009
The Fort Edmonton Foundation office is located on site at Fort Edmonton Park.
- Executive Director: Naida Geisler
- Assistant Financial Manager: Laura Frazer
Honourary Chief Factor
The Foundation's Honourary Chief Factor represents the Foundation to the larger community, and links the future of Fort Edmonton to the past it brings to life.
During the Fur Trade Era, the Hudson's Bay Company appointed Chief Factors to manage trading post districts. They were paid slightly less than one percent of the profits of each trading post; were entiteld to attend the annual meeting of the concil; and, voted on the promotions of clerks and Chief Traders. They were responsible for implementing Company policies in their districts, including the organization of fur sales, the ordering of goods for trade, hiring, and shipping of pelts.
In 1826, John Rowand became Fort Edmonton's first Chief Factor. Fort Edmonton had been selected as the district headquarters for the North Saskatchewan region, and under his direction, it became one of the largest and most important trading posts in what is now Alberta.
The Fort Edmonton Foundation's Honourary Chief Factor's responsibilities are vastly different from those of their early counterparts. A distinguished and interesting role, today's Honourary Chief Factor attends special events, speaks at the Foundation's Annual General Meeting, and escorts dignitaries and royalty on visits to Fort Edmonton Park. Most Honourary Chief Factors serve for two years, a term that may be extended at the request of of the Board of Directors.
History
In 1969, 54 years after the original Fort Edmonton was torn down, the Fort Edmonton Foundation was founded to receive moneys and direct the development of the living memorial to the old Fort—Fort Edmonton Park. The concept of the Park, however, quickly grew to encompass much more than simply a fort.
“Shortly
after the end of Word War II the Northern Alberta Pioneers and Old Timers
Association took an interest in the re-establishment of Fort Edmonton as a
visible memorial to the city.” (1)
A delegation, including Mr. Sam Dickson, went to discuss their ideas with
Premier Manning, “but nothing developed at that time.” (2)
Instead, it would take another 18 years.
In 1966, Edmonton City Council approved “in principle” the Rotary Club’s proposal for a heritage Park and Fort reconstruction. The Rotary Clubs put up $135,000 towards the reconstruction of the Fort’s palisades and bastions which were completed in 1970. The City of Edmonton purchased the Danard Great Northwest Pioneer Village in July 1967 and the buildings and artifacts were moved to the Park site where they formed the nucleus of 1885 Street. July of ’67 also saw the Fort Edmonton Park dedication ceremony. The Fort Edmonton Park Master Plan was created in 1968 to provide the framework for both immediate and future development of the Park.
- 1970-74: raised funds to construct a detailed replica of Fort Edmonton as it appeared in 1846.
- 1975-79: raised funds for 1885 Street, which represents Edmonton as a settlement and hosts 27 buildings including period shops, businesses, homes and churches.
- 1980-89: raised funds for 1905 Street, which represents Edmonton as a bustling new city, and 1920 Street, which shows the beginnings of metropolitan life in Edmonton.
- 1990-94:raised funds for additional projects including: an AGT Telephone Exchange on 1920 Street; the partial restoration of the original Firkins House on 1905 Street; and a replica of a York Boat Shed beside the Fort complex.
- 1995-99: the Foundation raised funds for the reconstruction of Blatchford Field Air Hangar on 1920 Street.
- 2000-current: the Foundation raised funds for the Hotel Selkirk and 1920s Midway & Exhibition.
The seven founding members of the Foundation were John A. Beckingham, Raymond Ludford, James G. MacGregor, H. Stan Ragan, J. Newton Shortliffe, Henry G. Ward and Merrill E. Wolfe.