From the City of Lacombe:

The City of Lacombe is pleased to announce that local resident and long-time Lacombe & District Historical Society volunteer Carl William (Bill) Marquardt was recognized at the bi-annual Alberta Historical Resources Foundation Heritage Awards, held on October 25, 2018, at Government House in Edmonton.

The awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the groups and individuals who play a role in the preservation and promotion of Alberta’s complex history. Awards are presented in five different categories: Heritage Conservation, Heritage Awareness, Indigenous Heritage, Youth Heritage and Outstanding Achievement.

During this year’s ceremony, Bill Marquardt was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, for his long-term leadership and contribution to the preservation of Lacombe’s history.

Bill has spent over 40 years volunteering with the Lacombe and District Historical Society, preserving and interpreting the area’s history.

Known locally as Bill the Blacksmith, he has played a key role in operating the heritage blacksmith shop in Lacombe and teaching new generations of volunteers the skills needed to carry on the blacksmithing tradition.

In addition to his work at the municipally designated Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum, Bill has also developed thousands of photograph negatives for the Lacombe & District Historical Society’s archives. Through these images, subsequent generations of Lacombians can get a glimpse of their past.

“We congratulate Bill on his well-deserved award,” said City Planner and Lacombe & District Historical Society President Jennifer Kirchner. “Volunteers like Bill play a critical role in local heritage preservation in communities like Lacombe. Their contributions and knowledge provide insight into our past and helps form the basis for interpreting our community history.”

For more information on the Lacombe and District Historical Society go to mhma3.blogspot.com.

For information about the City of Lacombe’s Heritage Preservation Program, please visit lacombe.ca/doing-business/planning-and-development-services/heritage-preservation-program.

(MLA David Shephard (L), Edmonton-Centre presents Bill Marquardt with the Outstanding Achievement Award)

(Bill Marquardt speaks at the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation awards ceremony)