Little Stone Schoolhouse (Saskatoon)

 museum, school, stone

Victoria School was the city's first school, built by stonemason Sandy Marr in 1887. He used fieldstone with windows and doors brought in from Moose Jaw. 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.