Key Number:	HS 27443
Site Name:	Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre
Other Names:
Site Type:	0306 - Educational: Secondary School

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			52	1	5

Address:	5411 - 51 Street
Number:	11
Street:	51
Avenue:	54
Other:
Town:	Stony Plain
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:	Gothic Revival
Plan Shape:	Rectangular
Storeys:	Storeys: 2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Brick
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Gabled Hip
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:
Exterior:	Exterior Masonry walls are clean, but the bricks are in poor condition. Hair line cracks visible in the bricks will affect the weather-proofing ability of the structural shell. The origins of these cracks could be the use of 'hard-grouting' in relation to the soft property of the bricks. The building appears in stable condition, except the west portion of south wall where minor movement of the foundation is evident (this movement could have been caused by freeze-thaw cycle of the ground water due to the neglect of roof drainage over the years). The Brick chimney requires repointing in order to prevent further deterioration. The exterior shows very high degree of original fabric (approximately 90%).
Interior:	The interior has undergone extensive renovations and changes to meet museum and office functional requirements. Signs of windows frame deterioration indicated weather-proofing is necessary for most of the window units. The interior structural system is sound. Mechanical and electrical systems have been upgraded to meet existing building codes. More attention might have to be given to fire prevention. Attention should be given to improve fire alarm systems. Besides all window units, the interior building fabric has been covered with contemporary material.
Environment:	The Multi-Cultural Centre is situated in an essentially residential neighbourhood, with a composite high school located to the southwest and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church to the north. Large poplar trees surround the Centre on the north, east and south sides.
Condition:	Structure: Good. Repair: Good. 17 SEP 1979.
Alterations:	N/A

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Built	1925/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
School Overflow school Multicultural Heritage Centre	1925/01/01 1949/01/01 1974/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
County of Parkland No. 31	1924/01/12

Architect:	Blakey
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	The Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre was built in 1925 as the first regional high school in the district. Apparently it was built to a Scottish plan, due to the influence of the current chairman of the school board. The building served Stony Plain as a high school until 1949 when a new high school was constructed. After subsequent use as a classroom overflow and storage facility, it was finally closed in 1972. The Stony Plain Multicultural Centre possesses a three-fold significance. Historically it represents an important example of an early regional high school which served Stony Plain for many years. If the origin of its design can be confirmed, it appears that the school also may represent an unusual type of Scottish school unique in Alberta. As the Multicultural Heritage Centre is housing a museum and the Cornelia Wood Library and Archives, it continues to fill an important role in the community life of Stony Plain. The massing and decorative detailing of the Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre are derived from a knowledge of the English Arts and Crafts movement, popularized in the late 19th century as a return to the indigenous building of Britain. The modest scale, brickwork, complex roof line and gables are simple variations on the key elements found in Arts and Crafts sturctures. The somewhat unusual plan, composed of two large classrooms and a central hall, was well suited to this type of decorative treatment. * * * Built in 1925 as the first Regional High School. Called the Old Brick School by local residents. When the new High School was built in 1949, the building was used as overflow and later storage area for the Parkland School Division until its comlete closure in 1972. In 1974 the Heritage Agricultural Society signed a long term lease with the Parkland Board of Education to use the building as a centre to preserve our cultural heritage. Extensive renovations were undertaken with grants from Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments and local support. The Centre was officially opened in 1974 by Horst Schomid, then Minister of Recreation, Parks and Wildlife for the Provincial Government. In was a two classroom school with the office located where the Handicraft Store now is. The lower level was a basement, furnace room and storage area. The upper level had a long and narrow staircase leading to what was called the caretakers hideaway. It was used as a Home Economics room in later years. The gardens were completed in 1975 under an RCMP Centenary grant. The foundain at the north of the building depicts a Mountie leading his horse across a stream and was done by... The Library and Archives on the upper level are dedicated to Mrs. Cornelia Wood for her long and outstanding service to the community. Note: According to Edmonton Journal (May 2, 1986) the Heritage Agricultural Society signed the 99 year lease in 1973. First Principal: Ted Kiblewhite - up to 1930. 1983 - designated as Provincial Historic Site. * * * DRAFT PRESS RELEASE Edmonton, Alberta The Honourable Mary J. LeMessurier, Minister of Culture, announced today that the Stony Plain Multicultural Centre has been designated a Provincial Historic Resorce. Located at the corner of 55th Avenue and 51st Street, the Stony Plain Multicultural Centre was the most important of a series of schools built to serve the educational needs of the Stony Plain district. It was constructed in 1925-1926 by Stony Plain Consolidated School District No. 52, which had noticed soon after its inception in 1918 that a new school would be necessary to alleviate avercrowded facilities. It was designed by the prominent Architects, Richard and William Blakey. Richard Blakey had fashioned the designs for the main hall and great staircase at the Parliament buildings in Edmonton, and later for Government House. In assocation with the Department of Education, this firm had produced the plans for a number of Alberta schools, including the Westlock Consolidated School on which the Stony Plain School was modelled. It is attractive design and handsome brick exterior and facade are reminiscent of buildings which were popular during the English Crafts and Arts Movement of the late 19th century. In 1974 the Stony Plain Heritage Agriculture Society acquired a 99 years lease on the building and site. After extensive renovations, the building was opened to the public as the Stony Plain Multicultural Centre. It displays artifacts and archival documents which reflect the history of the district. The Multicultural Centre itself has signicance as an historic site because of its role in the educational development of the Stony Plain district and as an example of the trend to school consolidation which began at the end of World War One.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource	1983/05/04

Register:

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0572