Ken Tingley became the first municipal Historian Laureate in Canada when he was named to the position in April 2010. "I am honoured that the City of Edmonton has chosen me as Historian Laureate," said Tingley. "Edmonton may be a relatively young city, but it has packed a lot in. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share this history with others."
During his tenure as Historian Laureate, Tingley presented and gave tours at local symposiums and conferences and spoke to historical societies and community and professional groups. Tingley also served as Master of Ceremonies for the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and the Liberation of Holland, held at Sir Winston Churchill Square on May 5, 2010.
One of his first duties as Historian Laureate, attending Evansdale School's Multicultural Heritage days, led to an ongoing oral history project, documenting the experiences of recent immigrant children and their families.
Ken Tingley's publications during his time as Historian Laureate include Ride of the Century: The Story of the Edmonton Transit System and My Heart's in the Highlands: The Building of a Historic Edmonton Community.