Happy b-day!

CPR celebrates 125th birthday on February 16, 2006

February 16, 2006 is an historic day for CPR. It is the 125th birthday of the railway’s incorporation, and to celebrate the milestone the company has put its birth certificate – the Canadian Pacific Railway Company charter – on display at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum. The charter is considered by some to be the country’s most significant private company legal document, not only monetarily but historically. The CPR company charter is on a term loan to the Glenbow Museum. “CPR’s company charter, with its 69 clauses, is not just another typical corporate legal document,” added CPR president, Fred Green. “It is the multi-paged document that allowed Canada to physically link east with west. The CPR transcontinental railway spawned by the charter provided the country with an economic and strategic artery. As well, it continues to remind us how 125 years later, CPR remains a key transportation force for moving Canada’s commerce.” Mike Robinson, president and ceo of the Glenbow Museum said, “This document goes right to the soul of our country and the national dream of a railway to bring us altogether -- from Atlantic to Pacific -- as Canada."

The CPR company charter will be previewed this year, and then become part of Glenbow's new permanent gallery Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, which will feature over 40 of “the adventurous, hard working and spirited men and women who shaped Alberta's history.” In addition to featuring the charter, the permanent gallery, which will open in February 2007, will include CPR's railway-building gm, William Van Horne, as one of the maverick characters. “The CPR company charter has never been on display for public viewing, so this is a very special occasion for our company. We are extremely pleased to have worked with the Glenbow so that Calgarians and visitors from across Canada and the world have an opportunity to see this historic document,” said Green. “From 1881 to 2003 it was kept in Montreal and Toronto and then relocated to our North American Headquarters in Calgary three years ago. Since then it has been carefully stored and preserved.” Green noted that due to the document’s age, the Glenbow’s ongoing practice of handling fragile historic artifacts and artworks will ensure the proper climatic conditions and security measures are continued to be met.
(CPR news release 060216)

Joe and I are heading to the Glenbow tonight to see the display. They're giving free passes to all company employees to see the exhibit, and also take in the rest of the sights at the Museum (including the Petra display). I've lived in Calgary for eight years and never been to the Glenbow. It's about time, and it's free!