One of the highlights of every Calgary summer is Historic Calgary Week, running July 24 – August 3, when history enthusiasts gather to explore the stories, people, and places that have shaped our city. This year’s theme, “Chinook Country: Influences and Icons,” will explore the places, events, and personalities that have been important to our city.
Readers of the Calgary Gay History Project know Kevin Allen for his work uncovering and preserving Calgary’s queer history—like his parkside chat with Lois Szabo at Historic Calgary Week 2024. But, like many historians, Kevin’s curiosity extends well beyond a single subject. A love of history often leads in unexpected directions, revealing the connections between families, communities, and the city we all share.
On July 29th, Kevin is stepping away from queer history to present Fare Exchange Revisited as part of Historic Calgary Week. The presentation tells the story behind the cookbook created by his great-aunt, Dorothy Allen-Gray, and explores the history surrounding her work. The research for the project has been undertaken in collaboration with Julie Van Rosendaal, one of Canada’s best-known food writers, cookbook authors, and culinary historians. Together, they have combined family history, archival research, and a shared passion for food and storytelling to uncover a fascinating chapter of Calgary’s past.
Whether we’re documenting Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ community or exploring stories from other corners of the city’s past, Kevin’s goal is the same: to preserve memories before they’re lost and to better understand the lives that shaped our community.
Historic Calgary Week is the perfect place for stories like these to come together, and the week is chock-o-block full of amazing programming. Events are free, but registration is required. The opening ceremony of Historic Calgary Week is this Friday at 9:30 AM at the Central Library—see you there!
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Calgary Gay History 