The Bow Valley’s heritage buildings hold stories and insights from the past. They are places that animate the present, places that have the potential to positively inform the future.
A number of organizations raise awareness and appreciation of the Park’s built heritage. In addition to ourselves, there is the Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation, Banff Heritage Corporation and the Whyte Museum.
Bowstrings’ Operating Principles emphasize partnership. We look for opportunities to restore and celebrate Rocky Mountain heritage sites together with others.
Our Current Heritage Projects
The Mountain School and Rutherford Cottage were lively places in the early twentieth century, brought to life by visionaries who shaped the lives of a generation. Through restoration and adaptation of these two storied properties, we hope to follow in the footsteps of the Greenhams and Rutherfords, contribute to Alberta’s cultural and community life.
We are also working with Shuswap Elders and other experts to document the kekulis, the pit houses of Banff National Park. These structures have a 4,000 year history and may represent the first built heritage in the Canadian Rockies.
Our team is committed to moving forward sensibly, in environmentally-intelligent ways. We welcome your engagement and interest, hope you join us as we help build and maintain a culturally rich Bow Valley.