About the Alberta Geomatics Historical Society

History of the Alberta Geomatics Historical Society

The Alberta Geomatics Historical Society (AGHS) was incorporated on March 4th, 2024, with a mission to collect and preserve the history of land surveying in Alberta and to share this history in ways that stimulate and educate. Although the Society might appear to be a fledgling organization, it inherits a rich legacy of over 700 survey artifacts, a treasure trove of survey history, and the extensive experience of many dedicated surveyors who have volunteered for decades.

The story began over fifty years ago when surveyors donated old survey instruments, some dating back to the late 18th century, to the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association (ALSA). In 2007, when the ALSA pondered how to commemorate its 100th anniversary as a self-governing profession, it decided to develop a traveling exhibit that depicted role of land surveyors in the peaceful and orderly development of Alberta. This exhibit, prepared by the Historical and Biographical (H & B) Committee, was completed in time for the ALSA’s Annual General Meeting in 2009. Over the next 12 years, the exhibit traveled to more than 30 museums and other venues across Alberta, an outstanding achievement for any traveling exhibit.

But that’s not all. Artifacts in the collection have been used to give students hands-on learning experiences in surveying, have been featured in Alberta government historical events, and even served as props for a documentary produced by a third party.

In 2021, the Council of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association decided that collecting survey artifacts and using them to tell the story of land surveying was not part of the Association’s regulatory role. They directed the Historical and Biographical Committee to divest the collection, retaining only a few artifacts to be displayed in their offices, by 2024.

The H & B Committee explored various options for the collection. They reviewed the artifacts, de-assessed some that did not meet the collection’s criteria, and donated items for a permanent exhibit at the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek. The Committee communicated with several entities about taking over the collection, but a satisfactory solution was not found. The Committee remained steadfast in its belief that the collection should remain intact, in Alberta, and ideally under the control of surveyors.

In late November, 2023, with all options exhausted, the H & B Committee presented a proposal to the ALSA Council to form a historical society. The proposal suggested that the ALSA transfer ownership of the majority of the artifact collection to the new society, grant the society access to historical articles and photographs, and provide seed money to get the society started. The proposal was accepted by Council on December 7, 2023, and a few months later, on March 4th, 2024, the Alberta Geomatics Historical Society was incorporated.

The establishment of AGHS ensures that Albertans will continue to have the opportunity to learn about the significant role of surveying in the development of Western Canada. The collection is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, collections representing the history of land surveying in Western Canada. Artifacts date back over a hundred years and highlight the greatest evolution in land surveying technology from around 1960 to the present. This period saw a transformation in measuring from transit and chain to electronic distance measuring, total stations, and GPS. The collection also includes artifacts representing various stages of computation, from hand calculations (using logarithms and pen or pencil) to mechanical calculating (using natural functions and facits or curtas), and the evolution to sophisticated programs and computers.

The collection also tells the story of many surveyors and others who donated artifacts. Some examples include:
• Ross Tate, an esteemed member, past president, and honorary life member who recently passed away after his hundredth birthday, donated a hundred-year-old wooden survey post found in Banff National Park. It was on display in the Whyte Museum for many years.
• Housed in the ALSA office is a Topley transit used by Dominion Land Surveyor, Albert Jacques Tremblay (1887-1918), who worked on township surveys in Alberta from 1912 to 1916. Albert Tremblay gave his life in the First World War. Few Topley transits, made specifically for township surveys by the Topley company in Ottawa, have survived.
• Charles Weir (1925-2012), past president, honorary life member, past president of the Canadian Institute of Surveying, and past president of the International Federation of Surveyors, donated historic photo albums, old survey instruments, and survey monuments.
• Murray Ingalls proudly showcased artifacts in the traveling museum that he had donated.
• Ken Moyer, a draftsman who worked for several survey companies in Alberta, donated a staff compass in 2016. When he recently passed away, he left a monetary donation to advance the collection.

Survey companies and government departments have also contributed to the collection, including artifacts from the Director of Surveys and the Surveyor General Branch of the Department of Natural Resources.

The Society’s long term viability will depend on an active and engaged membership, donations, grants, and sponsorships. Through these efforts, the AGHS aims to continue sharing the rich history of land surveying with the public for many years to come.