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.