Ukrainian Museum of Canada

Description of the Historic Place

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is a single building with a Tyndall stone exterior that is located in the City’s downtown at 910 Spadina Crescent East. The building was constructed in 1979 to celebrate Ukrainian heritage and depict its contribution to Canada.

Heritage Value

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was founded in 1936 in Saskatoon. It was Canada's first Ukrainian museum and served as a center dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge of and the preservation of Ukrainian heritage in Canada. From its humble beginnings, and with much community support, the museum has developed into one of Canada's major Ukrainian Collections.

The first museum space was at the Petro Mohyla Institute located on 401 Main Street in 1941.  The Ukrainian Museum of Canada moved to 1250 Temperance Street when the Institute relocated in 1965. Rapid growth in the late 1960s and early 1970s resulted in the need for expanded space to house the museum's growing collection. A new museum building, at 910 Spadina Crescent East, was built in the summer of 1979. The official public opening took place in May of 1980.

The architectural design of the building simulates a Ukrainian cottage at the turn of the century.  Designed by architect Matthew Stankiewicz, the museum has a main gallery containing the permanent exhibit of Ukrainian culture and history and two galleries for temporary shows. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is an attractive, unique building on Spadina Crescent that has special cultural significance to the Ukrainian community of Saskatoon.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those elements that relate to its unique architectural style, evident in: its Tyndall stone exterior and thatched roof.
• Those elements that relate to its importance as a historical and cultural landmark, including its continued use as a public museum.