Is it expensive to visit the museum?

Yes, thanks to a donation by the Shaw Family Foundation, general admission to the museum is free permanently.

What is the primary focus of the collections?

The museum focuses on the art, history, and culture of Western Canada, alongside Indigenous perspectives, world cultures, and mineralogy.

Can I visit the museum during the renovation period?

The museum is currently undergoing renovations, but it continues to provide exhibits and programming through various satellite sites.

Where is the museum located?

It is located in downtown Calgary, making it very accessible by public transport, specifically the C Train.

What is the recommended Glenbow Museum visit duration?

A typical visit takes about 3 hours. We recommend planning your schedule accordingly to make the most of your time there.

It dates back to 1966, making it 60 years old.

How many people visit each year?

According to the latest available data (2019), it received approximately 148,668 visitors that year.

Artwork outside the Ramsay Design Centre in Calgary

Glenbow Museum

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1966 FOUNDED

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60 YEARS OLD

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148,668 VISITORS (2019)

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3h EXPLORATION

Step into the heart of Western Canadian culture and history at this remarkable institution. The museum offers an immersive journey through time, featuring a vast collection that ranges from ancient mineral specimens to the gripping stories of Indigenous peoples. It serves as a vital custodian of local identity, preserving everything from delicate artworks to the rugged history of the frontier. Visiting this place is a chance to connect with the narratives that shaped Alberta and beyond. With its commitment to accessibility and discovery, it provides an enriching experience for all ages and interests.

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History of Glenbow Museum

The story of this institution begins with an unlikely catalyst. Eric Lafferty Harvie was a lawyer and businessman who struck oil in the middle of the twentieth century. Rather than resting on his wealth, he poured his fortune into collecting the forgotten history of Western Canada. He sought items that others deemed junk. By the mid-sixties, he gifted this massive collection to the people of Alberta. This act of generosity transformed a private hobby into a public legacy. The museum blossomed into a cornerstone of the province. It moved to its modern downtown home in the seventies and solidified its role as a steward of cultural memory. It stores everything from ancient mineral samples to rare photographs documenting the daily lives of early settlers. The halls became a sanctuary for the records of families, businesses, and organisations that defined the region. Today the museum represents a deep commitment to accessible learning. With a transformative donation ensuring free admission for all, it remains a vital space for both locals and visitors. It continues to preserve the diverse narratives of Indigenous peoples and the evolving story of Western Canada. Every artifact here serves as a piece of the puzzle that explains how this region became what it is today.

Events spanning 67 years

YEAR 1955

A Foundation for History

Eric Lafferty Harvie established the foundation with his personal collection, driven by a passion to preserve the heritage of Western Canada.

YEAR 1966

A Centennial Gift to the Province

Harvie gifted his extensive collection to the people of Alberta as a centennial gift, leading to the creation of the formal institute.

YEAR 1976

Opening the Downtown Doors

The museum opened its iconic downtown facility, providing a permanent home for its rapidly growing collection of art and artifacts.

YEAR 2022

Opening Access to Everyone

A generous donation from the Shaw Family Foundation ensured that the museum would remain free of charge to all visitors permanently.

Fun Facts

• Founder Eric Lafferty Harvie became a millionaire overnight after striking oil, which funded his massive cultural collection.
• Harvie sent employees to New York specifically to purchase the entire studio of wildlife artist Carl Rungius.
• It acts as a primary research centre for genealogists looking into First Nations and Metis heritage.
• It houses the largest collection of Japanese armour and arms in the entire country.
• Its library contains rare equestrian literature dating back to the 15th century.
• The Mavericks exhibition tells the history of Alberta through the lives of 48 specific individuals.
• The archives contain 1,500 sound recordings and 350 hours of film, documenting life from the 1870s to the 1990s.
• The institution possesses 2,100 firearms, ranging from the 16th century to the present day.
• The mineralogy collection includes glowing stones and a piece of the oldest rock on Earth.
• The museum has a collection of 33,000 artworks, primarily focusing on the landscape and history of the North American northwest.
• The museum holds artifacts from the search parties sent to find the lost Franklin Expedition.
• The museum holds one of the largest non governmental archives in Canada, containing over a million photographs.

RESOURCES

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Glenbow Museum FAQ

While we strive to keep this information accurate and up to date, we recommend verifying any details independently before making decisions based on them.

Glenbow Museum Map & Neighborhood Explorer

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