FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that people ask related to heritage conservation. Click on a FAQ in the list below and if you still have questions, please feel free to email contact@calgaryheritage.org.
Calgary has a variety of organizations and agencies concerned with recognizing and protecting the city’s heritage. Some are non-profit membership organizations; others are government bodies. All these groups are distinct, but they often complement each other, and may sometimes collaborate, to promote common goals.
The Calgary Heritage Initiative (CHI) is a non-profit society registered in Alberta*. CHI is a grassroots, member-based and volunteer run advocacy group dedicated to the preservation, productive use, promotion and interpretation of buildings and sites of historic and architectural interest in Calgary. CHI raises awareness through our web site, social media and through programmed activities about Calgary’s built heritage such as educational events, talks and tours. A Heritage Watch Committee monitors sites at risk of demolition, conducts research, and recommends properties for inclusion in the City’s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources. A Policy Watch Committee looks at relevant municipal, provincial and federal planning and legislation. Both committees engage with key stakeholders to pursue opportunities to ensure our built heritage is not lost.
The Chinook Country Historical Society, a chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta, is another non-profit membership organization. Its objective is "to promote a greater understanding of Canadian and Alberta history in Chinook Country for people of all ages." CCHS sponsors monthly talks and the annual Historic Calgary Week which takes place in late July–early August.
On the government side, The City of Calgary’s Heritage Planning business unit creates policy to protect and manage Calgary’s historic resources. Heritage Planning works with the Calgary Heritage Authority, which evaluates and adds sites to the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources.
Heritage Calgary (HC) is a charitable Civic Partner of The City of Calgary focused on the research, education, and preservation of our shared heritage in Calgary. Formerly known as The Calgary Heritage Authority (CHA), HC evaluates potential heritage sites and maintains the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources. HC provides Council with expertise regarding heritage resources and promotes public awareness of Calgary’s history, including hosting Calgary’s Lion Awards and operating the Heritage Plaque Program. HC works to ensure the Calgary heritage sector is well organized, collaborative and efficient in its efforts to promote understanding of and broaden citizen participation in Calgary's heritage.
To add to the mix, Calgary has many volunteer neighbourhood-based community associations. Several have heritage committees or seek to preserve heritage and community character as stakeholders in the development approval/planning process. The Federation of Calgary Communities is a support organization for the community associations. It participates with the heritage community in delivering topical Heritage Roundtable panel discussions.
Calgarians for Heritage Districts is an advocacy group focused on educating government and the public about Calgary’s remarkable Heritage Districts. CFHD advocates for the creation of new ways to identify, manage, protect and celebrate them through policy, legislation and creative new tools and incentives.
Century Homes Calgary highlighted our built heritage through a city-wide celebration of homes constructed during Calgary’s first building boom that peaked in 1912. Many interesting and beautiful homes representing diverse architectural styles including Edwardian, Victorian and Craftsman were constructed in what are today’s inner-city communities. The 2012 Century Homes Calgary Celebration was so successful, the committee continued the celebration in 2013. The program consisted of banners, property signage, educational programs, tours, and a website. Photos and maps can be viewed through the link above. Take a few minutes and locate your home!
*A society is an incorporated group of five or more people who share a common recreational, cultural, scientific, or charitable interest. The Societies Act regulates societies incorporated in Alberta.
There are a number of online resources available for you to use. For more details, click to see our “Researching a Property” page as well as our list of "Resources" links.
There are a number of image archives that are available and searchable online. To get started, click to view our "Researching a Property" page for more information.
Click to view our "Researching a Property" page which contains a number of resources. Our guide to designating a property, including some additional research information can be found on our "Designation 101" page.
For a list of local heritage trades go to the Resources tab on this website. The Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals has an extensive directory of heritage specialists in Canada. The Restoration Trades Directory also provides a listing of building artisans, contractors, designers, and consultants in Canada and the U.S.
A number of institutions in Canada offer post-secondary studies in heritage conservation. A description of existing educational programs is available on the Heritage Canada Foundation website.
Direct your questions to the City of Calgary’s heritage planning staff by calling 311 or messaging through Calgary.ca. Nationally, you can also post your questions on The National Trust for Canada AGORA-L, a nationwide listserv, or nominate a property at risk to the National Trust’s annual Top Ten Endangered Places list. Grassroots involvement is key to bringing attention to places at risk, so be sure to contact your local community association and work with this group of neighbours to advocate for the site. For a link to your community association visit the website of the Federation of Calgary Communities.
See our “Designation 101” page under the Resources tab
CHI advertises heritage-related events on our website and in our regular e-newsletter (to receive our e-newsletter, subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom of the page). Chinook Country Historical Society, the Heritage Calgary, and the Calgary Public Library also host regular heritage events. If you are hosting a heritage-related event and would like CHI to publicize it, please contact us. If you register for and/or attend a Community Heritage Roundtable, your name will automatically be added to a mailing list to receive regular updates on upcoming Roundtables.
The City of Calgary has posted PDF’s of numerous self-guided walking tours for different areas of the city on their website. Hardcopies of some of these guides may be ordered by calling 3-1-1 (within Calgary) or 403-286-2489. Visitors to Calgary are also invited to contact the Calgary Downtown Association which offers a program of walking tours or check out these annual events:
Visiting in May? Jane's Walk Calgary
Visiting in mid summer? Historic Calgary Week
Visiting in September? Doors Open YYC
The Calgary Heritage Initiative Society ("CHI") is committed to protecting the personal information of our members and visitors to our website. We manage your personal information in accordance with Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act and any other applicable laws. Personal information, such as an email address, name, telephone number or postal address is collected, used and disclosed only for purposes consistent with CHI's mission statement, which includes the preservation, productive use and interpretation of buildings and sites of historic and architectural interest in Calgary.
In order to provide those services, CHI may at times apply for grants or funding from government agencies, and may be required to disclose your personal information to those government agencies. We also use your personal information to communicate with you.
If we wish to use or disclose your personal information for any new business purpose, we will ask for your consent. We do not sell, rent, or lease our member list to third parties.
For more information, please contact us .