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1911: Little Stone School rebuilt on campus
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The first permanent
schoolhouse in Saskatoon was built in 1887, where Victoria School now
stands. A much larger school building
was erected in 1903 and resulted in the original “stone school” falling into
disuse – and running the risk of being torn down. In 1911, the University agreed to let the Golden West Chapter of
the Imperial Order move the stone school, stone by stone, to the University of
Saskatchewan campus (just east of the current location of St. Andrew’s
College). The total cost was expected to
be $950. President Murray, in
recommending that the building be accepted on campus, suggested that it be used
for a “Museum and Library for Local History Collection.” However, it does not appear that this part
of the plan was carried out. Until
1967, when as part of centennial celebrations the building was restored to its
original condition and opened as a museum, the Little Stone School was
apparently used mainly for storage. The
Little Stone School Society (originally a committee of the Saskatoon Council of
Women) looked after the building until 1981 when the University assumed
ownership and responsibility. As part
of the Diefenbaker Centre’s educational programming, young students can now
“relive a typical 1905 classroom experience.”
The building was designated as a provincial heritage property in 1985.
| Related Collections |  |
Visitor and Cultural Resources fonds, RG 2113
| Images | |
1911a: Transfer of keys to President L.F. Kristjanson in 1981. Photograph Collection, A-6666.
1912b,c: Postcard of Victoria School, with Little Stone School in its original location. Photograph Collection, A-889.
| Sources | |
Board of Governors Minutes,
May 9, 1911; agenda, August 10, 1911.
“School Survives as Historic
Site,” On Campus, 15 May 1981.
Saving our City, p. 46.
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