Collaborating|Listening |Evolving
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Engaging collaborating | Listening | evolving 2018 Annual Report to the Community National and Provincial Historic Site & Museum % The Shop 2018 WAS A YEAR at Lougheed House Lougheed House CHRISTMAS OF EVOLUTION AND JULY GARDEN FESTIVAL 118% JUMP NEW BEGINNINGS AT LOUGHEED HOUSE 34% AND DOG PARADE in retail sales during increase in admissions 400% increase in attendance (over 100 dogs & 1000 people) CHRISTMAS SEASON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY This evolution and our successes could not have happened without the remarkable support of our members, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community collaborators. ACHIEVEMENTS • Our annual Beltline Garden Festival and Lougheed House Christmas events saw substantial increases in attendance We TRIPLED the number of Memberships • Our Membership grew 50% and fundraising revenues increased by 70% A record • We worked with more community partners than ARTISTS who exhibited ever before, and tripled the number of artists who 50% exhibited in the House in the HOUSE people This exciting progress is also the result of a revitalized 1200 staff, as last year we hired a new Development dined & danced fundraising in our GARDENS at 13, 945 people visited Lougheed House in 2018 Dîner en Blanc event 70% - an increase of 11% 80,000+ people visited Beaulieu Gardens Kirstin Evenden, Executive Director Manager, Programs & Volunteer Manager, and Administrative Coordinator to join the Lougheed House team. With our expanded LOUGHEED HOUSE RE-IMAGINED capacity, we developed a new 2019-21 Strategic Plan Framework which encompasses our ambitions on behalf of our community and stakeholders to be a place that is both historically relevant and a space CALGARY IS A PLACE OF HISTORIC POSSIBILITIES of possibilities for now, and for the future. To accomplish our goals - OUR NEW VISION the three new plan priorities are: 1) Reinvigorate our Brand, 2) Create In response to Lougheed House’s long-term planning, changing community priorities, and to ensure our ongoing Exciting and Unique Visitor Experiences and 3) Build a Thriving and relevance in the community Lougheed House Re-Imagined was born. This major new project is the result of a Sustainable House. year-long engagement with our stakeholders, supporters and local community organizations to talk frankly about Lougheed House’s exciting future and its role in our city. Feedback from some in our community was that Lougheed In 2018 Lougheed House Conservation Society received a further House presents a singular view of history. Members of diverse communities, including Indigenous, racialized, queer reduction in funding, through our Service Agreement with then and feminist communities indicated that they want to be a part of more shared and diverse historical experiences Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government of Alberta. This represented at Lougheed House. With this valuable community feedback, we created two initiatives. important aspect of our operational funding was reduced from $475,000 to $445,000, a reduction of $30,000 or 6.3% annually. The first is a Community Engagement Framework, which will now guide our work with the community. Our city is And of course, we are accountable to all stakeholders to remain growing and its interest in history and culture is evolving and expanding. We believe Lougheed House has a role to sustainable. As such, diversification and growth of revenue streams is play in growing community and our idea of what Calgary was, and can be. We are excited by the possibilities that these an organizational priority in our new strategic direction. discussions present to develop a rich, accessible and immersive experience with history in one of Calgary’s most iconic historic homes. We know that it is the personal stories that we remember. Hearing about the lived experience of those However, as part of this shift, Lougheed House must also expand its who have gone before brings history to life. We know well some of these stories, as the Lougheed House’s history is rich reach and role in the community to increase our relevance and better with them – the Lougheed family, the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and the Red Cross all share their history with serve the community’s changing needs and priorities. The outlook this unique site. These stories will be told in new, immersive and compelling ways. continues to be challenging for cultural non-profits, and because of this I am extremely grateful to our Board, staff, volunteers, members, The Lougheed House – its original family, its later occupants, and the physical structure itself – all reflect Calgary’s donors and supporters for their remarkable commitment, enthusiasm evolution and are an integral part of the city’s development in the last 128 years. So why not expand on this history? and support for Lougheed House and all it offers the community. No one else in Calgary is telling the story of our city in this diverse, dynamic and immersive way. We know Lougheed Without their support, our evolution would not be possible. House can play that role. We’re a smaller non-profit with big ambition. Join us as we create even more experiences of historic illumination, daring and inspiration, all in partnership with our community. With Gratitude, The second is the Lougheed House Re-Imagined Exhibition Development Plan that is the first step in the redevelopment of the second floor of Lougheed House and other aspects of the visitor experience to reflect the history of Lougheed House, and Calgary, both the histories you know, and the lesser-known stories that reflect a more diverse Kirstin Evenden, Executive Director history of our city. Through this exciting new project, which will be developed over the next two years, the House is transforming into a place where the inquisitive mind can delve into the history of Calgary, where a visitor can pluck up a thread, a story that contributes to the intricately woven tapestry of our great city and explore how vital, 4 INSPIRE how essential it is to the makeup of the Calgary of today. 5 Gerry Meek, Chair, Board of Directors Lougheed House TABLE OF truly is a House CONTENTS Volunteer Appreciation Award 8 of story Exhibition Highlights 10 Programming Highlights 12 CHAIR’S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY The history of Lougheed House is one amazing story and each and every and my Board team members who have made these Your Memories, Your Venue 14 year a new chapter is added to its illustrious history. Its history offers a achievements possible. My sincere and grateful rich testament to our shared past and its presence reflects a much-valued thanks to all. New Acquisitions 16 and enduring legacy in the life of our community. At its essence, it truly is a House of story and like all good stories is filled with remarkable As we continue to build capacity and accelerate The Gardens 17 people, interesting and sometimes unexpected events and even the forward, I would invite you to join us in the fun of occasional plot twist. imagining what we could be and to become a part Annual Fundraiser 18 of our extended family team as we celebrate new In looking back over the past year, there is truly much to report on and unexplored stories and continue to create new Lougheed House Christmas 20 and much to celebrate. During this period, important transitions have historic possibilities. continued to be made and important new journeys have begun to Sponsorship 21 position the House for continuing future success. This past year has seen progress made on a number of different fronts and witnessed many The Shop & The Restaurant 22 important accomplishments. These include, the preparation of a new Gerry Meek, Chair, Board of Directors three-year action plan, the launch of a new fundraising action strategy, Loans 23 the introduction of some exciting new programming initiatives, successful grant applications and the development of a renewed vision and possibility for Lougheed House. Collaborative Partners, Donors & Sponsors 24 These successes reflect the hard work and caring hands of many different groups and individuals. In this connection, I would especially thank and Board & Volunteers 26 acknowledge the contribution of our dedicated volunteers, our supportive 27 6 members, funders, donors and partners, our creative and committed staff BUILD Staff Pat and Dave Cross charts, Pat reproduced historically appropriate colours and applied over VOLUNTEER 550 gallons of paints, stains, and varnishes! Today, what is your favourite part of the Gardens/grounds, and why? As the House restoration reached completion, Pat saw the APPRECIATION AWARD Head Gardener and the volunteer gardeners at work in the Beaulieu Gardens, “….it looked like fun,” she said. It didn’t take long before the dynamic duo of Pat and Dave were energetically contributing to the growth of the Gardens at Lougheed House: The Circle Beds are high on Pat’s list PAT & DAVE CROSS of favourites, as it is enjoyable to watch the designs come to life, from a simple drawing. An idea put to paper. TRUDY COWAN VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION How many years have you been involved as a volunteer at AWARD, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Lougheed House? Thirteen years. Each year, a Lougheed House volunteer is awarded the Trudy Cowan Do you also garden at home, or somewhere other than at Volunteer Appreciation Award. Named after Lougheed House Conservation Lougheed House? We have always gardened, both flowers and Society’s founding Director, the Award honours the vital role volunteers play vegetables. Early on we had a house in Exeter, Ontario, next door to a in the ongoing success of Lougheed House. In 2018, we are pleased to thank farmer. The farmer asked if we wanted to plant a garden on his property and celebrate two individuals, Pat and Dave Cross, for a special recognition and we leapt at the idea (it was about half an acre).