THE LOUGHEED LIBRARY
A HOUSE OF STORY
Lougheed House has witnessed the passage of time both within and beyond its walls. New lives, bold endeavours, a changing city.
Lougheed House was built in 1891 by Senator Sir James Lougheed and Lady Isabella.
The house itself was not only a stunning example of Victorian eclectic style and a reflection of the family’s status, but also boasted several technological innovations, including electric lights, running water, and radiator heat.
James died in 1925, and the family struggled financially as many did during the Great Depression. Just prior to Isabella’s death in 1936, the City of Calgary took ownership of the house for non-payment of taxes.
Since then, this house has lived many lives! The Dominion-Provincial Youth Training Program used the house (1939-1940) to train young women in domestic work. During the Second World War, the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWACs, 1941-1947) used the house as a barracks and trained for non-combatant service like switchboard operations, decoding, and vehicle maintenance. Finally, the Red Cross used the house as a blood donor clinic (1947-1979).
By the 1980s, the house had fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, a group of dedicated advocates pushed for its restoration, which began in the 1990s. Lougheed House opened as a museum in 2005!
