Special Collections

"Unlimbering for Rapid Action", E. F. Hagell. Pen & Ink Drawing, ca. 1926. P19960053077THE HAGELL COLLECTION

Artist Edward Fredrick Hagell (1895-1964) was born in Lethbridge and at an early age developed a love of the Alberta Rockies and Prairies, which inspired his work as an artist. His subjects were a personal attempt to document and preserve the early west prior to the impact of settlement.

The collection combines two donations. The 1973 Heritage Series consists of over seventy ink and crayon works commissioned by the City of Lethbridge. This collection was complimented by a second, more recent, donation of works generated throughout Hagell's lifetime. The latter consists of preliminary sketches, pen and ink drawings - his favorite and paints, brushes and framing tools.

 

Doll, Japanese, ca. 1940-1950. P19970041615THE KOGAWA COLLECTION

The Kogawa donation represents a local and national treasure. The donor's father, Gordon G. Nakayama, was an Anglican minister in Vancouver, B.C. prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Reverend Nakayama and his family, along with thousands of others, were forcibly evacuated to Slocan in the interior of B.C. in 1942. Immediately following the war, the family was moved to Coaldale, Alberta. The donor, Joy Kogawa, is author of the book Obasan and is a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Artifacts from pre-evacuation Vancouver, Slocan, and Coaldale are represented in the donation. The Vancouver material is unique among Japanese Canadian collections due to the privileges afforded Nakayama as an Anglican Minister. It includes belongings considered too impractical or luxurious by other families to have been taken east from Vancouver.



St. Michael, Archangel, Unknown Artist. Oil On Canvas, ca. 1700-1750. P19960116259 THE GALT MEDICAL COLLECTION

The Galt Museum building has a long history as a medical facility. Originally built in 1910, the building served as some form of medical facility until 1979. It is, therefore, only fitting the Museum preserve over seven hundred medical related artifacts representing local hospitals, clinics, dental and optical practices.

The late 90's was a boom to the collection. The local St. Michael's hospital was closed and demolished and the Galt was requested to collect and preserve hundreds of artifacts. Accessioned items include the Hospital's Catholic chapel and all of the objects associated with the Hospital's morgue operation.