Historic McKay Avenue School Archives & Museum, Edmonton

The Historic McKay Avenue School Archives & Museum is a cherished landmark that offers a window into the city's educational and legislative history. Originally, a one-room schoolhouse was built on the site in 1881, thanks to the efforts of Matthew McCauley, Malcolm Groat, and William Rowland, with land donated by the Hudson's Bay Company. This modest wooden building featured double doors, eight large windows, and 10-foot ceilings, catering to the educational needs of the time.

As Edmonton's population grew, a larger facility was needed, leading to the construction of a new schoolhouse designed by architect Henry Denny Johnson. Completed in 1905, this three-storey, eight-room building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, notable for its robust and grandiose architectural elements.

Named in honor of Dr. William MacKay, a physician for the Hudson's Bay Company, the McKay Avenue School holds significant historical value as it hosted the first two sessions of the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 1906 and 1907. During these sessions, critical decisions were made, including confirming Edmonton as the provincial capital, founding the University of Alberta, and establishing provincial courts and railway charters.

Today, the McKay Avenue School houses the Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum, a public research facility that preserves records and artifacts related to the city's educational history. Adjacent to the main building is the original 1880s schoolhouse, now used for museum education programs, providing visitors with a tangible connection to Edmonton's early educational environment.