As Alberta was settled, part and parcel with the adventurous pioneers were the surveyors, charting the territory.
The Alberta Land Surveyors Association celebrated its centennial in 2009, and they are helping the Homestead Museum celebrate the Drumheller Centennial with its exhibit “Making Their Mark.”
Last week the exhibit was installed at the Homestead Museum. It was created to celebrate the centennial of the Alberta Land Surveyors Association and has been on display all over the province.
While much of the original survey of the province was completed years before, after Alberta became a province, it passed the Land Surveyors’ Act, and the Dominion Land Surveyors then practicing in the province organized.
The display features a campsite typical of what a surveyor would have lived in when working in the field. It also has all kinds of historical artifacts and equipment related to the industry; everything from calculators to monuments. There is also an audiovisual display and a hands-on activity centre for students.
Kerry Barrett, administrator for the Alberta Land Surveyors Association also worked on the history and the display. He says the “Made to Measure” activity crate is related to the Grade 8 curriculum. It is presented by the Science Alberta Foundation.
According to the Alberta Land Surveyors Association, the exhibit in general is related to all kinds of areas of study including Aboriginal Studies, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences and Social Studies. The relationship to the Social Studies program, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, is particularly strong.
Before coming to Drumheller, the display has been on exhibit at the Legislature, High Prairie, Edmonton and Leduc to name a few.
The “Making Their Mark” exhibit will be at the Homestead Museum until October 15.
