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THE 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.
"Unlimbering
for Rapid Action,"
E. F. Hagell
Pen & Ink Drawing
ca. 1926
#P19960053077
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.
Japanese Doll
ca. 1940-1950
#P19970041615
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.
Father Lacombe, it is believed, brought the painting west from a monastery in Quebec where it had been for more than one hundred years. In the mid 1800's, it was taken to his mission in northern Alberta and when he died, the story goes, the painting was given to the Oblate Parish of St. Patrick's in Lethbridge. The Sisters of St. Martha of Lethbridge took possession of the painting for display in St. Michael's hospital sometime after the 30's. For years, it was hung throughout the hospital, but was seen most commonly at the hospital's south entrance. It was donated to the Museum prior to the hospital's demolition in 1996.
Unknown Artist
Oil On Canvas
ca. 1700-1750
#P19960116259
