Innovative interactive timeline showcases local history

Strathcona County’s history took an innovative shift into the present with an interactive, highly visual and informative learning experience. “From time to time” is a historical timeline of Strathcona County created to help people visualize natural and cultural history through photographs and researched accounts. The timeline is available both as an online app and as a large print display. To view the From time to time information, visit our website.

The online app features a selection of images—mostly archival photographs—carefully curated and paired with researched accounts of local natural and cultural history, as well as origins as a municipality.

From time to time touches on experiences of early European settlers within a regional, provincial and national context. The subject matter expands to cover the war years and then the oil years that brought on so much growth and change. The timeline includes portrayals of some of the challenges that threatened Indigenous ways of living. The County is conducting additional research on Indigenous peoples’ history to give a more fulsome picture of its past.

The content is pieced together with a narrative that highlights key moments from Strathcona County’s past. Dozens of images were sourced from archives near and far—from the Strathcona County Museum and Archives, the Provincial Archives of Alberta, the Glenbow Library and Archives, and also from a few local residents. One feature photo is of Thomas Clover, for whom Clover Bar is named; estimated to have been taken in about 1917. The photo was located at the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

The From time to time app was created with ArcGIS StoryMaps, a digital storytelling application used by Strathcona County’s Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) team. Mapping data and curated digital content were combined within StoryMaps to create an engaging user experience. Interactive features - including scrolling, map sliders and slide shows - help communicate the rich history of Strathcona County.

The same content used in the app has been repurposed to make a new 10-foot display, which can be found in the Community Centre in Sherwood Park (401 Festival Lane), just outside Council Chambers. The large display can be booked for special events by emailing history@strathcona.ca or calling 780-416-6762.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595