The Alberta Motor Association has launched a free centennial exhibit, "A Road Well Travelled," at The Creative Hive in west Edmonton. The disply celebrates 100 years of provincial motoring through a collection of artifacts and interactive installations.
From 1926 Advocacy to 1 Million Members
The Alberta Motor Association began in 1926 as a collaborative effort between automotive clubs in Calgary and Edmonton. These early organizers focused on lobbying for lower fuel taxes and improved road safety, a mission that has scaled significantly over the last century.. Today, the Alberta Motor Association serves more than 1 million members, reflecting the massive growth of car culture in Western Canada.
This transition from a small advocacy group to a million-member organization mirrors a wider North American trend where early motoring clubs evolved into comprehensive service providers. By focusing on the "Road Well Travelled," the Alberta Motor Association is positioning itself not just as a service provider,but as a custodian of Alberta's social history.
Steering Wheels and 80 Years of School Safety Patrols
Visitors to The Creative Hive can examine the physical evolution of the automobile through a series of steering wheels on display. The exhibit also highlights the school safety patrol program, which has protected students at crosswalks for over 80 years. As Jane Flower, vice-president of the Alberta Motor Association, told CTV News Edmonton, these items illustrate how safety practices and vehicle technology have shifted from simple road trips to global journeys.
According to CTV News Edmonton, the exhibit uses these artifacts to tell stories about the lived experiences of Albertans over the past century. By showcasing the evolution of the school safety patrol, the Alberta Motor Association emphasizes its long-term commitment to public safety beyond simple roadside assistance .
The Creative Hive and the 2028 Move to Wetaskiwin
The "A Road Well Travelled" exhibit remains open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Creative Hive until November 8, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Following its Edmonton run, the collection is scheduled to move to the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, where it will be displayed from May to October 2028.
The decision to move the exhibit to the Reynolds Museum suggests a strategic effort to reach different demographics across the province. By utilizing two distinct venues, the Alberta Motor Association ensures that its centennial narrative reaches both urban Edmonton residents and those in more rural regions of Alberta.
What's Missing from the AMA's Centennial Archive?
While the exhibit promises "interactive displays," the report does not specify the nature of these installations or whether they include digital archives of early Alberta maps.. Additionally, it remains unclear if the Alberta Motor Association collaborated with independent historians to curate the selection or if the artifacts were chosen solely from internal archives. The source focuses primarily on the organization's internal perspective,leaving the external historical critique of Alberta's road development unaddressed.
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