Fonds paa-6452 - Edmonton Natural History Club fonds

The Edmonton Natural History Club began as the Edmonton Field Naturalist Club in 1907. Sources indicate that the first organisational meeting took place on August 20, 1907 at the McKay Avenue School in Edmonton, Alberta. After some time, the group came to be known as the Edmonton Natural History Association. By 1911, this same group began referring to themselves as the Edmonton Natural History Society. Records for this founding organisation are scarce, particularly records of activities during and following the First World War. The Edmonton Natural History Society eventually became the Botanical Foray in the spring of 1937. The first meeting was held on May 18, 1937 in the West Lab of the University of Alberta. The individuals primarily responsible for the organisation of the Botanical Foray were Dr. Moss, Dr. Sanford and Dr. Neathy. The first meeting was presided over by Dr. Henry, with 23 people present including representatives from the Departments of Botany, Field Crops and Horticulture, and the Dominion Lab. This was primarily an academic society, and for the next decade the group made several forays (field trips) each season, and held winter lectures. At a meeting of the Botanical Foray on October 27, 1947, the members of the club decided to create a new campus entity known as the University Botany Club (1947-1958). It was further decided to discontinue the Botanical Foray and have the purposes of the foray carried out by the new club. Dr. James H. Whyte was the chairman for this first meeting and about 20 people were present. On December 16, 1958, the final meeting for the University Botany Club was held. At this final meeting, members of the club decided upon a name change to the Natural History Club. This new name was then officially adopted in 1959. In 1968, when the organisation was again in need of new blood, members of the executive upon the advice of David Cameron of the Department of Genetics decided to expand the membership by offering popular programs to anyone interested in natural history. Dave Spalding, Director of Natural History at the Provincial Museum, was the first President during this new phase. He led the club on to new strength and the name officially changed to the Edmonton Natural History Club.