Retired livestock brands dating back to 1880, bronze sculptures and early western wear are among items found in the Bert Sheppard Stockmen’s Foundation Library and Archives in Cochrane, Alta.
Anna Stevenson, archivist and executive librarian, said it is devoted to western Canadian ranching communities, families, rodeos and paraphernalia.
“I do not know of anything like it,” she said.
Stevenson has spent nine years collecting cancelled or retired brands, complete with the original government files and ranchers’ letters.
She said the library receives inquiries from around the world ranging from who rode what horse in a specific rodeo, to what brands belonged to a particular family.
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The library was named for the late Bert Sheppard, considered “a cowboy’s cowboy,” said Stevenson.
He contributed sculptures, paintings, books and antique saddles to the library.
Once the foreman of the OH Ranch, he and his family also owned the TL Ranch.
“He helped a lot of people,” she said. “He left a wonderful legacy.”
The spurs, jewelry, trade publications, community history books and other artifacts will move to a prominent and larger location on the main floor of the Cochrane Ranche House, formerly known at the Western Heritage Centre.
The 20-year-old charitable organization is funded through annual memberships, donations, fund raising events and fees charged for services provided by the library.
Stevenson said an individual could use the library to do genealogical research, noting the website allows users to search files by family name.
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