N@N – Christine Leppard: “What’s the big deal about pancakes and cowboys, anyhow?”

Event Details

The Calgary Stampede Sam Centre and the Quest to Unpack Historical Legacy

Opening in May 2024, the Calgary Stampede Sam Centre will be home to Calgary’s Stampede Story. Through perspectives and stories spanning a century, Sam Centre will immerse guests in the question of how the Stampede has remained at the heart of Calgary’s identity for over 130 years and counting, while asking guests to question where we might go from here as the Stampede and as a community. Join Manager of Exhibits and Experience, Dr. Christine Leppard, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of creating a new year-round Stampede destination.

Christine Leppard, PhD is the Manager, Exhibits and Experience, Sam Centre for the Calgary Stampede Foundation. Sam Centre will open in spring 2024 as a new destination that immerses and involves the community in Calgary’s Stampede story. In her role, Dr. Leppard is responsible for developing and implementing a participatory visitor experience that includes engaging and accessible programming and exhibits. Previously, she spent 7 years as the Stampede Historical Specialist, spearheading the Stampede’s public history community engagement and managing the Stampede Collection & Archives. Dr. Leppard earned a PhD in Canadian and military history from the University of Calgary in 2014 and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in that department, providing hands-on public history opportunities to undergraduate students. She is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of Heritage Calgary. She is a published historian and has presented her research in both public and academic forums nationally and internationally. Dr. Leppard is a passionate believer that engaging historical storytelling makes our community stronger.

Presented in person in the Gallery Hall, ground floor Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary

Always free!