This 4568 square kilometre area is a wilderness park of mountain peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows and river valleys. It was established in 1959 and was named in 1965 after the Honourable Norman A. Willmore (1909-1965). Mr. Willmore came to Canada from North Dakota in 1915 and began his public life in 1942 as a town council member in Edson. After being elected as a Social Credit Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edson in 1944, 1948 and 1952, he was appointed Minister of Industries and Labour, holding the position until 2 August 1955, when he became Minister of Lands and Forests, a position he held until his death.