Edward J. (Ted) Hart 

Highlights 

Head Archivist and Executive Director of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies for almost four decades; published numerous books on western Canadian history; founding member of both the ACA and the Archives Society of Alberta. 

Education and Background 

Born in Edmonton, Edward J. (Ted) Hart received a BA and an MA in Western Canadian history from the University of Alberta (1971)and attended “archives summer school” sessions taught by Jim Parker at the University of Alberta. 

Professional Career 

In 1972 Ted Hart began working for the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta (originally the Archives of the Canadian Rockies) and continued to do so for a remarkable 38 years. He began serving as Assistant Archivist (1972-1976), moved on to become Head Archivist (1976-1979), and ultimately was appointed as Executive Director, in which role he spent most of his career (1979-2008). In 2008 Hart took the unusual step of returning to his previous Head Archivist role on a part-time basis, before fully retiring on April 1^st 2010. 

Contributions to the Profession 

Ted Hart participated in the establishment of the ACA (attending its founding meeting in Edmonton) as well as the Archives Society of Alberta (1981), serving as its first president. A pre-eminent historian of the Canadian Rockies, he published 16 books.  

Unusually for an archivist, Hart helped establish local government for the town of Banff (incorporated1990) and served as Mayor (1995-1998). 

Honours, Awards and Recognition 

• Director Emeritus, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, 2008 
• Lifetime Achievement for commitment to Heritage in Canada’s Banff National Park, 2010 
• ACA Fellow, 2010 
• Archives Society of Alberta Honorary (lifetime) member 

Further Information 

• E.J. (Ted) Hart, Summer thought Publishing https://summerthought.com/e-j-ted-hart/  
• “Fireside Chat” interview by Craig Baird, 2022 https://www.rmoutlook.com/banff/fireside-chat-returns-for-20th-oral-history-interview-5938430  

Photo source: https://allevents.in/banff/a-fireside-chat-with-ted-hart/200023482520316

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