The Charles Camsell Historical Society was formed in June 1989 by Camsell staff member Dr. Terrance Bromley. Bromley and other members were concerned that the artifacts and records of historical import stored in various departments of the hospital would be lost as the management of the hospital changed. The Society first met on April 21, 1989. At this first meeting, they determined their mandate would be to safeguard items of historical interest pertaining to the Charles Camsell Hospital, including artefacts, art, photos, and other memorabilia.

In 1990, The Society arranged with the hospital executive to contact the Provincial Museum of Alberta to donate these artifacts. Prior to the transfer of materials to the museum in 1990, the Historical Society obtained permission for transfer from the federal Department of Health and Welfare in Ottawa, as the hospital had been operated by this department prior to its transfer of administration to the Province of Alberta in 1980.

The artifacts donated to the Provincial Museum of Alberta, including beaded moccasins, embroidered mukluks, beaded belts, drums, rattles, and soapstone carvings, were accessioned by the museum as the Charles Camsell Hospital collection. Documentary records were separated and transferred to the Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA) in 1991. Remaining documentary materials were donated to the City of Edmonton Archives, the Cambridge Bay Centennial Library, and returned to the Peter Wilcock Library at the Camsell Hospital. Division of documentary material was based upon the collections mandates of each institution.

The objectives of the Society were to preserve the medical, social, and artistic history of the Charles Camsell Hospital, in order to preserve the unique relationship that existed between the Charles Camsell Hospital and the First Nations and Inuit populations it served. In addition to exhibiting memorabilia such as documents, pictures, and carvings, the Society also presented historical lectures to past staff in order to promote understanding of the hospital’s unique medical and social history.

The Society’s membership was made up of staff members, patients, and members of the public. Many of the Society’s members had previously held positions on the Charles Camsell History Committee, which had formed with the purpose of researching and writing The Camsell Mosaic (1985). The Board consisted of fifteen members selected from the core membership group. The Executive, consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, were elected from the Board.