Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Sexsmith Board of Trade fonds |
| Reference code: | 0181 |
| Date: | 1945-1962 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 6 cm textual records |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processing archivist and date unknown. Added to new database November 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
The Sexsmith Board of Trade was organized May 18, 1945 “to promote the commercial, industrial, agricultural, and civic welfare” of the community of Sexsmith. M. Perkins was elected the first president, A.F. Menzies the vice-president, and E.V. Spicer the secretary-treasurer, and 42 members signed up after that first meeting. Later, membership was extended to employees, town residents and farmers as well as business owners. There was one stipulation—you had to be male.
The members acted together to publicize and make improvements to the town; sponsor agriculture courses and health facilities such as a T.B. X-ray Clinic; secure services for the town such as better phone, water, and sewage services; secure hospital services, police protection, rural electrification, barbers, and dentists; secure products in short supply (e.g. coal) especially after the war; lobby town council for better lighting and provincial government for better transportation such as an all-weather road to Edmonton and the Whitecourt cut-off; and put on regular Board of Trade banquets with guest speakers and dances in community halls. They also acted as a regulatory body within the town, requiring businesses to clean up or be faced with a complaint to the proper authority.
The Sexsmith Board of Trade was a member of the Associate Boards of Trade of the Peace River Country, the Alberta Board of Trade & Agriculture, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. They also cooperated with other local Boards of Trade in Valhalla, Grande Prairie, Hythe, and as far afield as Edmonton.
Custodial history
The records were preserved by the Sexsmith Museum and deposited in Grande Prairie Regional Archives in 2004.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of one minute book from 1945-1949 which contains minutes, finances, and membership records; and some membership records, financial records, and correspondence from 1956 to 1962.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Business (subject)
- Organizations (subject)