Things to do in Calgary

There are several Winnifred-related and other literary sights and activities around Calgary, created and hosted by friends and partners of the conference. See the list below for places of special interest for conference participants:


Image source: Lougheed House

Lougheed House National & Provincial Historic Site

Lougheed House was owned by Winnifred Eaton’s friend Lady Isabella “Belle” Lougheed. The house now operates as a historic site and museum, with gardens and a restaurant. Join Shaun Hunter’s walking tour to learn more about Winnifred’s association with Lougheed House.

707 – 13 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0K8


Wheel of Women

The Wheel of Women is an installation that commemorates thirty Calgary women, including Winnifred Eaton. The plaque is located at the Crossroads, in the East Village, on the River Walk at the south entrance of the George C. King pedestrian bridge. It is a nice walk from the Chinese Cultural Centre beside the Bow River. You might also wander across the pedestrian bridge to St Patrick’s Island Park, which offers views of the river and downtown Calgary.


Literary Map of Calgary

You can find the Wheel of Women, among other literary landmarks, on local historian Shaun Hunter’s literary map of Calgary


Image Source: Calgary Public Library
Image Source: Arch Daily

Calgary Public Library

Calgary Public Library will be holding an exhibit on Winnifred Eaton in their Story Area at the central library, which is free and open to the public. While you’re there, take a walk around this award-winning building designed by the Snohetta architecture firm. Time Magazine listed Calgary’s Central Library as one of 100 Greatest Places of 2019. The building will take your breath away.

800 3 Street SE
Calgary, AB T2G 2E7


Image source: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Museum

Located at the lower level of the Calgary Chinese Culture Centre, the museum showcases rare replicas of different kinds of Chinese artifacts and a permanent award-winning exhibit hall, “Our Chosen Land: 100 years of development of the Chinese community in Calgary,” which was first presented in 1994. Open Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

197 1 St SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4M4


Image source: Calgary Public Library’s Williams & Harris Shared History Centre, “Postcards from the Past”

Centre Street Bridge

The historic Centre Street Bridge bridge was built between 1915-1916 and is the second oldest bridge to span the Bow River. A few steps from Chinatown, the bridge offers a beautiful view of the city.


Image source: Calgary Public Library’s Williams & Harris Shared History Centre, “Postcards from the Past”

Memorial Park Library

Situated in picturesque Central Memorial Park — Alberta’s first library and Calgary’s first public park are both on the register of National Historic Sites. The park is a few blocks east of the Lougheed House, and very close to Shelf Life Books. Winnifred attended literary events and meetings at this library in the 1920s.

1221 2 St SW
Calgary, AB T2R 1N8


Image Source: Peel’s Prairie Provinces, circa 1927

Stephen Avenue National Historic Site

A historic district in downtown Calgary, also known as Old Stephen Avenue, with commercial buildings dating from the 1880-1930s. Many of the buildings on Calgary’s historic main street would have been familiar to Winnifred.

8th Avenue, Calgary, AB


Shelf Life Books

Local Calgary bookstore, Shelf Life Books, will be selling Winnifred-related books after the Nancy Rao lecture on Thursday, July 27th. Their store is located downtown, near the historic Lougheed House and Central Memorial Park.

800 3 Street SE
Calgary, AB T2R 0X8


(ex)plore Podcast walking tour

Explore Calgary Chinatown with a curated podcast walking tour, created by Dale Lee Kwong, “Master Oogam’s Blessing” (Episode 7).