Rutherford House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rutherford House |
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Rutherford House in 2012
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| Alternative names | Achnacarry |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Museum |
| Architectural style | Georgian & Jacobethan Revival |
| Address | 11153 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Coordinates | 53°31′39″N 113°31′13″W / 53.52750°N 113.52028°W |
| Current tenants | Rutherford House Society |
| Named for | Alexander Cameron Rutherford |
| Construction started | October 1909 |
| Completed | February 1911 |
| Cost | $25,000 (1911) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Brick, Sandstone |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | A.G. Wilson & D. Easton Herrald |
| Main contractor | James Smith & J.T. Radford |
| Type: | Provincial Historic Site |
| Designated: | 28 June 1979 |
Rutherford House is an old, important building and museum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is located in the Strathcona area. This house was once the home of Alexander Cameron Rutherford. He was the very first Premier of Alberta. He lived here from 1911 to 1941. Today, Rutherford House is a special historic site in Alberta.
Contents
Discovering Rutherford House
Alexander Cameron Rutherford built Rutherford House in 1911. It was on a large piece of land near the University of Alberta campus. The house cost $25,000 to build. The Rutherford family first called their home "Achnacarry." This name came from their family's old castle in Scotland. Now, it is known as Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site.
In 1966, there were plans to tear down the house. The University of Alberta wanted to expand. But many people wanted to save this historic building. The University Women's Club worked hard to protect it. In 1970, the Alberta government decided to keep the house. Today, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit runs Rutherford House. They get help from the Friends of Rutherford House. This group was formed in 1985 to help keep the site special.
Building Style and Design
Rutherford House is a two-storey building. It has a mix of old English styles. These include Elizabethan and Jacobean designs. The outside is made of red brick with sandstone details. It has tall chimneys and porches with columns. There are also two-storey bay windows.
The inside of the house was made for living and for parties. The ceilings are very high, about 11 feet. A grand staircase made of oak is in the middle hall. It has oak panels and a stained glass skylight. The dining room is the biggest room. It is about 350 square feet. It has a 12-foot-wide bay window. The walls have fir wainscotting and decorative fir ceiling beams.
How Rutherford House Was Built
On May 29, 1909, Alexander Cameron Rutherford bought the land for his house. He was described as "a gentleman of Strathcona." By late 1909, plans for the house were ready. They were drawn by A.G. Wilson and D.E. Herrald. These architects were trained in Britain. Local builders James Smith and J.T. Radford finished the digging.
In the spring of 1910, Thomas Richards prepared the foundation. He was a master bricklayer from Strathcona. The double brick walls were built in the summer of 1910. Thomas Richards himself did some of this work. The beautiful hardwood inside was finished over the winter. The house was ready to live in by February 1911. When it was finished, Rutherford House had many modern features. These included hot running water, electric lights, flush toilets, and telephones.
The Rutherford Family Home
The Rutherford family moved into the house in March 1911. The family included Alexander, his wife Mattie, and their children Cecil and Hazel. They lived in the house until September 1940. Mattie Birkett Rutherford passed away on September 13, 1940. In June 1941, Alexander sold Rutherford House. He sold it to the University of Alberta's Delta Upsilon fraternity for $9,500. This was about the same as the building cost.
The Delta Upsilon fraternity left the house in 1969. The University of Alberta took over the property in 1968. In late 1970, the University agreed to lease the house to the Alberta government for 40 years. This happened after a successful effort to save the house. Many groups helped, including the University of Alberta Women's Club.
Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site opened to the public in mid-1973. This was after three years of restoration work. Many of the old items in the house are original. They were given by Hazel Elizabeth Rutherford and Helen Reid Rutherford.
Friends of Rutherford House Society
The Friends of Rutherford House Society started on April 22, 1985. It is a group that helps the house. Their goal is to help keep Rutherford House special. They also help people learn about Alberta's history. They raise money and offer ways for the public to learn. In the past, they ran a tea room and a gift shop. They also help arrange private events at the house.
See also
- Achnacarry
- North American fraternity and sorority housing
