In the fall of 1983, a visit with friends at Nordegg, a tour of the deteriorating minesite and the "Year of the Youth" started a dream for Donna Dahms, a dream to preserve Nordegg.

Being a former resident of Nordegg with seven years of memories, Donna Dahms became very concerned about the fact that the coal mining history of Nordegg might be forever buried with the destruction of the remaining buildings of the Brazeau Collieries.

After numerous phone calls, her persistence brought her into contact with Charlene Currie of the Red Deer Regional Planning Commission who had proposed a traveling picture display of Nordegg as a work project for the "Year of the Youth" in 1984.

From this idea Donna sent copies of this proposal to various municipal and provincial organizations, but it never materialized.

Donna marched on with much perseverance and encouragement, which resulted in the formation of a steering committee in the fall of 1984. The first meeting was chaired by Bob Paston and others in attendance represented the Red Deer Planning Commission, National Historic Parks, Pioneer Center, Alberta Forest Services, and former Nordegg residents.

An advisory council was set up to keep in touch with the Municipality, local clubs and government organizations. In March 1985, the group was incorporated as a Society called the Nordegg Historic Heritage Interest Group.

During 1985, progress was made in various ways. The first application for Provincial designation was made. An office was set up in the Rocky Museum. Cataloging artifacts at the minesite began.

The Public Awareness Program began with a picture display panel. It was purchased with funds donated by

the Municipality of Rocky Mountain House.

To further public awareness, a pamphlet on the history of Nordegg was printed and distributed from the Tourist Booth. The summer of 1985, Donna arranged and hosted a tour of the Nordegg townsite and minesite for the National Sites and Monument Board.

On behalf of the Group, Donna presented the Hoard with an application for the designation of Nordegg as a National Historical Site. This tour was covered extensively by the media and brought much public attention for the Nordegg cause.

A later tour for the Alberta Historic Resources Foundation resulted in more public awareness of the historical and cultural value of the area and a $2000 donation.

In the next two years to the end of Donna’s term as chairperson of the Nordegg Historic Heritage Interest Group, many exciting and progressive steps were taken. Employees were hired with different government grants to work in the office collecting history, cataloging archives and artifacts.

Two audio-visual videos were produced and promoted all over the province along with the picture display. The membership expanded to nearly 400 and tours of the Nordegg townsite and minesite were a success.

A Tourist Booth was set up at Nordegg. During her three years as chairperson, Donna spent much of her time and resources promoting interest in Nordegg. She gained support for the group by appearances on television, speaking engagements and newspaper coverage.

The end of 1987 brought the vision of Nordegg’s preservation and designation as a historical site closer to reality. Donna’s meeting with the Honorable Don Sparrow, Minister of Tourism, and Jack Campbell, M.L.A. has brought much attention to the Nordegg area, because it is a Ready-made tourist attraction.

Provincial designation is expected to be completed and announced by Alberta Culture early in February, Rocky MLA Jack Campbell has said. Mrs. Dahms, a local insurance agent and business woman, is an active Chamber of Commerce member and pledges continuing efforts to have her dream of a Nordegg tourist destination site come true.