Welcome

There are certain places you experience that are so much more than just their bricks and mortar. Often rich in history, these spaces evoke a reverence that quiets mouths and sparks imaginations. Unassumingly located in downtown Edmonton, there is such a place. On a quiet street, overlooking Edmonton’s river valley, sits historic McKay Avenue School and the 1881 Schoolhouse, built in 1904 and 1881 respectively. We were even home to Alberta’s first Legislative Assembly! 

These historic landmarks continue to provide a wealth of information and opportunities for engagement – through educational programs, museum exhibits and active preservation of Edmonton Public Schools’ dynamic history through an extensive collection of archival and artifactual material. 

Visitors can explore three floors showcasing this rich and varied history of school life and Alberta history through self-guided and guided tours . Students in grades 4 and 6 are able to participate in immersive experiences through our “time traveling” field trips. (Attention teachers - these book up quickly!) Looking for something that might be part of Edmonton Public School’s history? As a public research facility, we encourage all to reach out to our archives team for help.  Do you have a special event - such as a wedding or conference - that you need a venue for? Check out Event Rentals page for more information on how we may be able to assist you. 

For hours of operation and contact information please see our Contact Us page.   

Our Key Values

The motto for the Archives and Museum is PRESERVE. EDUCATE. INSPIRE.

What does that mean?

Historical Landmarks

• We preserve historic McKay Avenue School and the 1881 Schoolhouse.

Enduring Legacy

• We share stories that have shaped our province and Edmonton's legacy.

Memorable Experiences

• We create unique experiences and lasting memories.

Land and Description Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.

Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum recognizes that our archival and artifactual descriptions contain language that is outdated, inappropriate and harmful. 

We are dedicated to maintaining parallel descriptions that acknowledge past professional complicity, while also using the 2020 Provincial Archives of Alberta Subject Headings (PAASH-2020) to describe Indigenous Peoples, as is recommended in the Reconciliation Framework: The Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Taskforce 6.1.4.

We acknowledge the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action numbers 67 and 70 as calling on Museums and Archival Institutions to engage in meaningful work towards reconciliation and we appreciate our place in this work.