History is more than just sitting in a stuffy classroom, poring over dusty, musty old text books memorizing a list of dates and prime ministers and wars.
The Galt Museum is capping off Historic Lethbridge Week on May 8 with a 1940’s dance hall style dance.
“It’s definitely not sitting in a classroom. We want people to  interact with history,” said Galt Museum public relations coordinator Lori Harasem.
The exciting evening at the Galt Museum runs from 7-11 p.m.. The Herb Hick Quintet will be playing popular jazz music from the 1940s and 50s
 And if you don’t know how to dance, Maxine Strain will be giving swing dancing lessons beginning at 7:30 p.m.. There will be country  swing dancers as well
“It’s geared to  each person’s abilities whether you aren’t flexible at all or might break a hip,” laughed Lori Harasem, adding the Galt Museum highlights a decade during Historic Lethbridge week every year. Last year they held a car show in honour of the 1930’s  next year will likely be another dance  as 50s music was so much fun. And of course, the Treasures and Curiosities  exhibit will be open for viewing.
“We’re just encouraging people to come out and have fun no matter what your abilities are,” Harasem said adding it is an 18 + event  so there will be drinks served as well as a canteen serving snacks.
“For everyday people the war was such a big part of their lives so dance halls were a way to get away from it for a while,” she said adding the Galt  also has a special display  set up featuring 40s  items and explanations of how the items were part of everyday life.
“We want to create awareness about Lethbridge and its history,” Harasem said.
There are interesting activities taking place throughout the week for historic Lethbridge beginning today (May 1) with a Chili Challenge in Galt Gardens from 11;30-2:30 p.m., plus the sold out Taste of Downtown on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m..
On May 4 at 11 a.m. next to the Galt, the 1985 time capsule will be unearthed.
The Galt Museum has a special presentation about War Brides from Bev Tosh, May 5 at  6 p.m,.
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens  will have a  presentation on Second World War  internment camps in the area on May 8 at 11 a.m. PLus there will be the always popular cemetery tours, nature walks and 1940s films being screened at the library.
The complete schedule of events is available online at www.historiclethbridge.org.