Red Brick Arts Centre and Museum - Historic Places Days

Red Brick Arts Centre and Museum

Edson, Alberta
Type
Museum/Gallery
Address
4818 7 Avenue, Edson, AB, Canada
Get directions
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm
Phone
7807233582

Edson’s Red Brick Schools Cornerstone was laid on a rainy afternoon on September 17, 1913. The School was completed later that year – only two years after Edson’s incorporation as a Town in 1911. It was Edson’s only school for Grades 1-12 until the Central School was completed in 1951. The Red Brick School remained an elementary school until 1967. From 1967-1984, Yellowhead School Division used the Red Brick School as a Maintenance Shed and Bus Barn.

Come 1984, Yellowhead School Division had moved to a new facility, leaving the Red Brick School to face demolition. A group of concerned community members created the Red Brick Aid Committee. The group was intent on preserving this community heirloom. In July of 1984, the Yellowhead School Division turned over ownership of the building and groups to the Red Brick Aid Committee for a total of $1.00. Work began to renovate the building.

In 1986, the Red Brick Arts Centre and Museum were designated as a Registered Historic Resource by the province of Alberta. However, with changes in Alberta Government Policy, this designation was discontinued. In 2009, the Red Brick was designated as a Municipal Historic Resource through the Town of Edson.

Today ECHO – Edson Cultural Heritage Organization owns and operates the Red Brick Arts Centre and Museum. ECHO is a non-profit organization and registered charity that relies on fundraising, grants, and donations to uphold its mission of promoting local arts and culture efforts within the community in addition to preserving the historical integrity and artifacts significant to the Red Brick School, the Town of Edson, and schools within the period of 1910 to present day.

Amenities

  • Family-Friendly
  • Guided Tour
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Wheelchair Access

Fun Facts

  • built in 1913, the first classes started in January 1914.
  • saved from demolition in the early 1980s
  • Municipal Historic resource.
  • The building is independently owned and operated by ECHO – Edson Cultural Heritage Organization.
  • has a 141-seat theatre. It is called Hatlen Theatre, named for Jean Hatlen who was a teacher in Edson and one of the founding members of ECHO.
  • has an Art Gallery that is free to all artists who wish to display their creations.
  • Tillie’s Tearoom is available for rentals. It is named for Tillie Tymchuck a long-time board member.
  • The Principal’s office was curated by the Yellowhead School Division.
  • The Classroom has the most original features in the building. Including floors, lighting, chalkboards, moldings, and upper windows.
  • There is a time capsule in the SW corner of the building. The original capsule was opened in 2013! a new capsule was returned to the cornerstone in 2014.
  • Boys and Girls could not play together or use the same entrance or stairwell while attending school here!
  • We have two major fundraisers every year. The Harvest Bazaar takes place in October and our board members are kept busy canning and baking to sell during the event. The Festival of Trees is an online auction of donated items that takes place in November.
  • Each summer we host a Free Kids Carnival full of games, crafts, snacks, and activities. All made possible by generous donations from local companies and individuals.
  • We have a large team of dedicated volunteers that help make everything run smoothly.

Location

4818 7 Avenue, Edson, AB, Canada
Get directions

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