AFHS Member, Shari Peyerl, Wins Award

Heritage House Publishing is proud to announce author Shari Peyerl has been awarded an Alberta Heritage Award for her book, Alberta’s Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The Government of Alberta awarded Shari Peyerl the Heritage Awareness Award in recognition of her outstanding achievement in promoting appreciation of Alberta’s heritage. Shari attended the Heritage Awards ceremony on Thursday, September 26 in Edmonton to receive her award.

The recipient announcement from the Alberta Ministry of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women wrote: “Published in 2022, [Alberta’s Cornerstone] details the history of the area, with a particular focus on sandstone quarrying and ranching. It is an interesting, informative book that combines archaeology and documentary history with genealogy, oral history and a collection of historic photographs. It represents a compelling, accessible way to interpret this intriguing place.”

Also, on the heels of that great news, we have heard that Glenbow Ranch Park was saved from destruction, after the Alberta government opted to go with Ghost River for its future Bow River Reservoir project. Previously, part of Glenbow Ranch was under consideration by the government for a Glenbow East dam option. Fortunately, enough individuals and groups came forward to voice their opposition for this option, and the government took notice.

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Alberta’s Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (9781772033915 // Heritage House Publishing, 2022) is the fascinating exploration of a vanished settlement within the park, told within the framework of an archaeologist’s memoir. While excavating Alberta’s most important historic sandstone quarry, archaeologist and oral historian Shari Peyerl uncovers fascinating clues about the province’s past. From metal fragments and dusty artifacts, she pieces together a story about a settlement situated in today’s picturesque Glenbow Provincial Park. As Peyerl dispels archaeological myths, explains scientific techniques, and shares the excitement of unearthing lost histories, she introduces readers to a colourful array of characters who once lived at Glenbow. Beautifully illustrated with modern colour photographs and many historic photographs, Alberta’s Cornerstone is an engaging and authoritative history that reads like an archaeological detective story.

Shari Peyerl is an archaeologist, archivist, oral historian, and writer, who holds BSc and MA degrees in archaeology from the University of Calgary. She has volunteered at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park since 2009 and enjoys giving tours and presentations about its history and archaeology. She created The People of Glenbow Family Photo Album, on display in the park Interpretive Centre. Peyerl loves using clues from written and oral history, archaeology and genealogy to reveal how ordinary people contributed to history.

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• Visit https://www.heritagehouse.ca/shari-peyerl-2024-alberta-heritage-award/ for more information about Alberta’s Cornerstone or Heritage House.
• For more details about Shari Peyerl or to contact her, visit sharipeyerl.ca.