The Trochu Arboretum celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Thursday afternoon, August 15 with cake (decorated beautifully by 13-year old Ashley McNaugton), refreshments, a commemorative tree from the Town (as announced by Chris Armstrong), and some notable history by Roy Ashcroft. Clr. Armstrong started the history rolling, stating that he and his wife were married at the Arboretum 19 years ago. “The Town is ordering the tree to commemorate this anniversary and show further generations the commitment and support the Town has for this great space that draws even international visitors.”
The event had about 45 people enjoying the speeches, the history, a door prize, and the cake. One of the gardens was decorated with purple and white flowering cabbage, with the color contrast spelling out a large 30.
Mr. Ashcroft’s history starts with Dr. J.D. Milne, the first private owner of the quarter section, a part of which became the Arboretum. It was in 1918 that William Garrick had a farm at this location and in the 1920’s built and lived in the house which is now the Dr. Hay Heritage Centre. Before Dr. Hay enters the picture, it was Louis Yost who held ownership from 1945 to 1947, selling it to Dr. Hay.
Mr. Ashcroft’s history lesson then highlights the years of Dr. Hay who kept, in the early years, poultry, bees and a cow. He shipped cream and incubated his own hatching. The barn was moved to the Roger Weigum farm on Hwy 27 and it is still at that location. The house was surrounded by trees, included many evergreens, planted for Dr. Hay by Martin Made of Huxley. Dr. Hay passed away in 1973 at the early age of 58. His surviving family visited the house for about nine years before selling the acreage in 1982 to Sandy and Mary Welbourn. They developed the site into an attractive area with winding shale paths and beds of flowers. Mary brought up the idea of an Arboretum and in 1988, the Town purchased the property. A society was formed in February 1989 and the first meeting of the Trochu & District Arboretum Society took place in March, 1989. Doreen Peterson was elected as first President. The first curator was Sandy Welbourn, with Diane Sloan as Horticultural Technician.
In June 1989 Elmer Wick hauled 55 trees from Brooks, Albert Reder made seats for the gazebo, Ralph Boulter built a kiosk for the entrance, and Jack and Lynn Christie provided two flagpoles with Alberta and Canadian flags. The official opening day was a sunny July 1, 1989. The evening before, a hailstorm littered the area and staff and volunteers barely had it cleaned up in time for the ceremonies. The shovel used by then MLA Connie Osterman for the planting of a Colorado Blue spruce is mounted in the visitor centre.
Distinguished visitors in 1989 include Dr. Mary Dover (granddaughter of Colonel MacLeod). The 5000th visitor happened to be the great-nephew of Louis Yost (previous owner. The 10,000th visitor was welcomed in 1990 along with two daughters of Dr. Milne. In 2001, Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Lois Hole paid a visit and declared the Arboretum as Alberta’s best-kept secret.
In 1992 the Society raised $6500 which enabled them to begin work on the water fountain and garden. In 2005 the Heritage Garden was opened and the Society produced its own cookbook - ‘Master Cook - Smart Gardener’. In 2006 the Arboretum hosted the Alberta Horticultural Society’s Convention with 100 people attending. Judy Reeds, Curator started the Forest of Lights. The larger changes evolved around the gradual move to have a restaurant in the Dr. Hay Centre. Debbie Knievel was the driving force behind building a Visitor Interpretive Centre. Suzanne Sinclair is moving Sweetgrass Cafe, her restaurant to the Town Centre and the Society will add to its history as it meets this and future challenges.
Curators were Sandy Welbourn, Ginny Sturgeon, Lyle Deines, Joanna Hibbs, Dale Sterling, Judy reeds, Susan Jensen, Debbie Andrus, Kirsty Leischner and current head gardener - Carol-Anne Holmstrom. Presidents fo the Society were Doreen Peterson, Bruce Wilson, Brenda Cunningham, Henrietta Peterson, Tom Laubman, Roy Ashcroft, Glenn Smyth, Dave Parrish, Gail Ashcroft, Debbie Knievel, Kathy Lang and currently Laura Cabrera.