Sixty years ago, Marilyn Monroe arrived in Jasper, Alberta to film River of No Return. Many Canadians, Albertans in particular, still have fond memories of Marilyn Monroe in Alberta, as we learned in our last visit to Banff. At the time, the The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was celebrating the release of a new book – August 1953: The Lost LOOK Photos – that shared 100 photos of Marilyn’s time in the province that had never before been seen publicly.
Now, as the province celebrates the 60th anniversary, this is the last week to see some of those summer memories again at The Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives. Their Marilyn-themed exhibit features professional images taken by local photographer Ray O’Neill, locally-donated hand written mementos, snapshots, and more.
As the 60th anniversary continues to be celebrated throughout the summer, other local business are getting involved. Buffalo Betty’s Gifts will be displaying Marilyn memorabilia throughout the season and local wine merchant DJ Bowen, of Jasper Liquor Store and Wine Cellar, has brought in two Marilyn branded wines. He is donating partial proceeds to the museum’s “Repair Our Roof Fund” and will also have limited edition posters available. All proceeds from the poster sales will be donated to the roof fund.
The museum has been asking visitors to participate by recording their own memories of Marilyn Monroe in Alberta.
The Jasper Yellowhead Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. It is located at 400 Bonhomme Street, Jasper, Alberta. Visit www.jaspermuseum.org for more details.
Click here to see more images from August 1953.
* Photos Courtesy Dover Publications
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