Earlier this month, we received an “Ask an Expert” question via our Facebook page (Alberta’s Historic Places) about early stone and brick masonry in Alberta. The question was:
“I am wondering what information can be found on early stone and brick masonry in Alberta. I find a very limited amount of this type of information available and would love to learn more. Are there any experts in this field, websites, or books written on this subject? Are there any museums that may have displays? Historians or archivists planning guided tours in Alberta? Also, any information on quarries, masons, relative architects, and existing or demolished masonry buildings from the nineteenth and twentieth century would be much appreciated.”
Our experts here at the Historic Resources Management Branch have compiled the following list of resources on this topic, including books, webpages, historic sites and events. We hope that you find it helpful!
Events
WRITTEN IN STONE: A Look at Traditional Stone Masonry and Early Calgary Quarries
Thursday, March 30th, 2017 @ 6:30 PM, Grace Presbyterian Church Gymnasium, 1009-15th Ave. SW Calgary
Open to the public and free of charge. This is a free evening of learning and networking. Lectures include “Early masons, stonecutters & quarries in Calgary”, “Bringing life to an historical quarry: the Glenbow quarry” and “Stone masonry today, using traditional methods for repair and restoration.” Information can also be found at: http://arkycalgary.com/writteninstone/
Books
- Don Wetherell and Irene Kmet discuss stone masonry to a limited extent in their books Homes in Alberta: Building, Trends, and Design, 1870-1967 (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press, Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism and Alberta Municipal Affairs, 1991) and Town Life: Main Street and the Evolution of Small Town Alberta, 1880-1947 (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press and Alberta Community Development, 1995).
- Jack Manson’s Bricks in Alberta (self-published, 1982)
- Bryan P. Melnyk’s Calgary Builds: The Emergence of an Urban Landscape, 1905-1914 (Edmonton: Alberta Culture & Regina: Canadian Plains Research Centre, 1985)
- Volume 4 of Parks’ Building and Ornamental Stones in Canada is another good one, materials-wise.
Webpages
- Alberta Masonry Council: http://albertamasonrycouncil.ca/. They have a small section on significant historical masonry buildings and have periodic awards recognizing excellence in masonry.
- Prairie Forum journal can be accessed at http://ourspace.uregina.ca/handle/10294/127. Relevant articles include:
- Fall 1980, volume 5, no. 2 – Diana Bodnar, “The Three Prairie Legislative Buildings,” page 143-156. It has relevant information regarding the Legislature Buildings.
- Fall 1990, volume 15, no. 2 – Stephen Barber, “Conserving Winnipeg’s Built Heritage, 1974-1985,” page 301-327. It has information on historic masonry buildings in Winnipeg (it’s not Alberta, but it is a good resource).
- Alberta Register of Historic Places https://hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Default.aspx?DeptID=1 has a number of masonry buildings listed. Use the search function to look up “mason” or “brick”.
Historic Sites
Medalta Potteries historic site and museum in Medicine Hat. This now includes the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile site – http://medalta.org/
Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site in Saskatchewan: http://www.claybank.sasktelwebsite.net/Visit%20the%20Brick%20Plant.html
Past RETROactive articles
https://albertashistoricplaces.wordpress.com/2015/09/09/rebuilding-the-beehive-kiln/
Compiled by: Ronald Kelland (Historic Places Research Officer) and Stefan Cieslik (Heritage Conservation Adviser)
Thanks to our readers for their “Ask an Expert” questions! We love to hear from you!
RETROactive 
Jack Manson (note spelling) is still the bible for history of brick in Alberta.
Thanks for catching the spelling error!
This is super fascinating! Thanks for sharing!