Description of Historic Place

The Superintendent’s Residence is located in a cottage subdivision amongst mature trees, gardens and lawns. It is a rectangular structure with low log walls, a high-hipped roof with sweeping bell-cast eaves and large hipped dormers. A large fieldstone chimney, expansive window openings and an expanse of open porch are contained under the eaves. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Superintendent’s Residence is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value
The Superintendent’s Residence is associated with the first permanent staff facility built in the Prospect Point subdivision adjacent to the Waskesui townsite. The creation of this cottage subdivision and the adjacent golf course is related to the National Parks Branch’s intent to make Prince Albert National Park a major resort destination accessible by automobile. In turn, this was significant in the development of the community.

Architectural value
The Superintendent’s Residence is valued for its very good aesthetic design, and is a good example of the rustic picturesque cottage tradition used by the National Parks Branch during the period from 1927 to 1936. The design vocabulary, combined with a use of local materials, primarily logs, fieldstone and shingles, created a distinctive rustic image for the National Parks’ system. The Residence exhibits very good workmanship.

Environmental value:
The Superintendent’s Residence maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and is compatible with the present rustic character of the cottage subdivision within Prince Albert National Park. It is a familiar landmark to wardens, visitors and inhabitants of the Park.


Sources:
Buildings, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report, 85-04 to 85-063.

The Superintendent’s Residence, Prospect Drive, Waskesiu, Saskatchewan, Heritage Character Statement 85-063.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Superintendent’s Residence should be respected, for example:

Its rustic picturesque cottage tradition, its functional design, quality craftsmanship and natural materials, for example:
The rectangular massing of the structure. The high hip-roof, sweeping bell-cast eaves, and large hipped dormers. The large fieldstone chimney and an expanse of open porch contained under the eaves. The expansive window openings and panelled doors. The use of natural materials in the structure, especially the fieldstone foundation and chimney, the log walls, and the curved log porch supports.

The manner in which the Superintendent’s Residence maintains an unchanged historical relationship to its site, is compatible with the present rustic character of the cottage subdivision, and is familiar to wardens, campers and inhabitants within Prince Albert National Park as evidenced by:
The building’s unchanged relationship with the surrounding mature trees and lawns. Its distinctive rustic aesthetic, natural materials, proportions and massing, which harmonize with the natural setting of the park and with the other buildings in the townsite. The building’s design and location in the Prospect Point subdivision, adjacent to the Waskesui townsite, which make it a well-known landmark in the community.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Superintendent's Residence and Garage at Prince Albert National Park were constructed in 1929-1930. The design was prepared by the Architectural Division of the Dominion Parks Branch. Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 85-63.

Reasons for Designation

The Superintendent's Residence and Garage were designated Recognized because of their architectural design, their environmental significance, and their historical associations.

The Superintendent's Residence and Garage are very good examples of the rustic picturesque cottage tradition used by the National Parks Branch during the period from 1927 to 1936. The design vocabulary, combined with the use of native materials (primarily logs and field stone), created a distinctive rustic image for parks system buildings.

The property is located in a cottage subdivision which retains its early rustic character. The yard of the cottage and garage is screened from view by mature trees, gardens and lawns.

The Superintendent's Residence and Garage comprised the first permanent staff facility built in the Prospect Point subdivision adjacent to the Waskesiu townsite. The creation of this cottage subdivision and the adjacent golf course is related to the National Parks Branch's intent to make Prince Albert National Park a major resort destination accessible by automobile.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Superintendent's Residence and Garage resides in such elements as form, proportions, rustic picturesque cottage details and materials, surviving interior layout, and site relationships.

The Superintendent's Residence is a rectangular structure with low log walls under a high hipped roof with sweeping bell-cast eaves and large hipped dormers. A massive fieldstone chimney and an expanse of open porch contained under the eaves are important features of the massing. A section of the porch has since been enclosed. This modification alters both the exterior perception of the massing, as well as the relationships between interior and outdoor spaces. Consideration should be given to returning to the earlier configuration, or at least re-designing the enclosure to be more respectful of the original character and detailing of the porch. Further modification of the building's massing should be resisted.

The rustic picturesque cottage design is expressed in the use of materials which are natural in colour and texture. The fieldstone foundation and chimney, log walls, curved logs at the porch supports, and exposed rafter tails are characteristic and should be retained. Any new work should be executed in materials and finishes in keeping with existing work, respecting the rustic character of the construction.

Asphalt roof shingles, pre-finished fascias and eavestroughs obscure the rafter tails and reduce the intended texture of the building surfaces. When the roofing and fascias are at the end of their service life, consideration should be given to returning to the original rustic materials and detailing, based on physical and documentary evidence.

The original design featured multi-paned wood casements with a detailed, small-scale glazing pattern typical of the picturesque manner. The current wood windows with large glazed areas lack the intended texture and detail and should be replaced with units that respect the original design intent when the opportunity presents itself.

The original interior layout has been modified for functional reasons. The use of existing entrances should be retained. Surviving original interior materials and finishes should be preserved and incorporated in future work.

The garage retains its original form, multi-paned sash and panelled doors. Visual richness was originally found in details such as cedar shingle roofing, elaborate glazed and panelled garage doors, and exposed rafter tails. These features have been removed or concealed. The heritage character of the building would benefit from a return to the original rustic materials and detailing.

Landscape modifications should respect the naturalistic landscape.