SGSIS AGM Recap and Highlights

Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society’s 52nd AGM was held March 13th, a day late after needing to postpone to allow for a little snow shovelling. A few people were unable to make it due to prior commitments but the revised meeting date was well attended.
It was a great time to renew your membership, and then dig right into the coffee and dessert portion of the evening. Thank you to Donna, Marie, LA, Adele, Dirk, and d’Arcy. The selection of desserts was a hit with everyone!

The meeting began promptly at 7:00 with a reading of the Land Acknowledgement, and a “thank you” message to Society Members read by John McKechnie, President:

On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society for your continued support and dedication.

Your contributions of funding, volunteer time, and committee work play an essential role in preserving and celebrating the heritage and history of our community. Because of your generosity and commitment, we can continue sharing the story and legacy of Historic Markerville with visitors and future generations.

Many of you give not only financial support, but also countless hours of your time — serving on committees, helping organize events, cleaning, hosting, and volunteering wherever needed. Your passion and willingness to step forward make a lasting impact on the success of our programs and initiatives.

Historic Markerville is stronger because of this partnership, and we deeply value the collaboration and friendship gained within this society.

With sincere appreciation,
SGSIS Board of Directors

Over the hour, attendees were taken through the provided notes and reports, a bylaw amendment, and the SGSIS Strategic Plan January 2026. The meeting adjourned, and several stayed a while longer to visit and enjoy a more coffee and dessert.

VISION:
Enrich the culture of Alberta and Canada by honouring the legacy of Markerville’s Icelandic heritage.

MISSION:
To preserve the heritage of Historic Markerville through the management and maintenance of its facilities and the provision and support of high-quality programming.

Guꝺmundur Stefánsson

Guꝺmundur Stefánsson, Stephan and Helga’s second son, passed away on this day in 1947. We know he was a pretty active and entrepreneurial sort, and one of the lasting impacts he had on the Stephansson home was his work expanding the house. By the time of his late teens/ early adulthood, Guꝺmundur had become “a handy carpenter” and he assisted his father with additions to the house – raising the roof above the front bedroom, kitchen and pantry as well as adding a bay window.

If you have any photos or other records of Guꝺmundur, please consider donating them.

Portrait of Gudmundur Stephansson c. 1902, PAA PH75.28.23. “Stephansson house at Markerville, Alberta, and Stephansson family”, 1907 courtesy Glenbow Archives NA-270-3.

Posted on Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site Facebook Page