Recognized Federal Heritage Building

Warden's Headquarters / Visitor Information, Building 1

Waskesiu, Saskatchewan

Also known as Bureau central des gardes de parc / centre d'accueil, bâtiment 1

Rear view of the Warden`s Headquarters, 1984.
Photo: Agence Parcs Canada / Parks Canada Agency, 1984.

Built: 1934–1935
Recognized: 1988
By: Government of Canada

The register’s text, word for word

Description

The Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre is situated in the Government Reserve Area of Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park. Constructed in a Tudor rustic style employing fieldstone, horizontal logs, wood shingles, and half timbering, the symmetrical building features a projecting central bay flanking windows and a gable-roofed porch. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage value

The Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:

The Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre is associated with the early history of Prince Albert National Park and the Waskesui townsite area and is of significance in the development of the community as a major resort destination.

Architectural Value

The Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre building demonstrates a very good aesthetic design and is one of the better examples of the distinctive and picturesque Tudor rustic style utilized by the Park’s Architectural Division. The multi-paned window units contrast with the rough indigenous materials. The use of log walls, stucco and ‘half-timbering’ contribute to the rustic character of the building, which exhibits good functional qualities and very good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value:

The Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre maintains an unchanged relationship with its site, reinforces the rustic character of the cottage subdivision, and is a familiar landmark to residents and visitors.

Sources:

Buildings, Prince Albert National Park, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 85-063

Warden’s Headquarters/Visitor Centre, Prince Albert National Park, Waskesui Saskatchewan, Heritage Character Statement 85-063.

Register entry

No. 4495

Recognition: Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Recognized by: Government of Canada
Statute: Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy
Date recognized: May 5, 1988
Built: 1934–1935
Historic function: Single Dwelling
Address: Waskesiu Drive, Waskesiu, Saskatchewan, Canada

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Cite this entry

Reference

“Warden's Headquarters / Visitor Information, Building 1.” Heritage Guide, Canadian Register of Historic Places entry 4495. https://heritageguide.ca/wardens-headquarters-visitor-information-building-1-waskesiu-saskatchewan.

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://heritageguide.ca/wardens-headquarters-visitor-information-building-1-waskesiu-saskatchewan |title=Warden's Headquarters / Visitor Information, Building 1 |website=Heritage Guide |id=Canadian Register of Historic Places entry 4495}}

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Character‑defining elements

The character-defining elements of the Warden’s Headquarters/ Visitor Centre should be respected, for example:

Its very good Tudor rustic, picturesque aesthetic, good functional design and very good quality craftsmanship and materials, for example:

-The rectangular single storey massing with hipped-roof.

-The exposed roof rafters and tails, and the distinctive front porch with peeled logs in unusual patterns for supports, trims and brackets

-The symmetrical arrangement of the multi-pane casement windows, panelled doors and screens, and the diamond pane casement near the chimney breast.

-The use of local materials, natural in colour and rough in texture, particularly the horizontal peeled log walls with extended corners, and the large fieldstone chimney.

-The functional interior configuration.

The manner in which the Warden’s Headquarters maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, reinforces the present rustic character of its natural park setting and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by:

-Its ongoing relationship to its landscaped grounds surrounded by mature trees.

-Its picturesque form, materials and details, which contribute to the rustic character of the cottage subdivision setting within Waskesui townsite.

-Its high level of traffic owing to its use as a visitor centre, that makes it known to visitors and townspeople.

End of the register’s text