Keillor Stone House and Summer Kitchen Restoration

The Keillor Stone House and Summer Kitchen (c. 1929), located at the Whitemud Equine Centre in Edmonton, are historically valued for their association with the development of the original Keillor Farmstead. In addition to their historical value, they are appreciated for their architectural style, commonly seen in park and recreation areas, colloquially known as “parkitecture.” Both buildings are made of fieldstone masonry walls constructed in a rustic style that exhibit exceptional craft. They are significant historic resources protected by municipal designation. The adjacent Cabin (1918) was previously restored and was not included in the project.

Both structures exhibited deferred maintenance and deterioration due to age and construction type. A geotechnical investigation by Thurber provided recommendations for rehabilitation of the foundations. The overall approach to the restoration was minimal intervention wherever possible. This approach proved feasible for the Stone House, which was lifted and had its foundations replaced. However, to reconstruct the failing slab-on-grade foundations of the Summer Kitchen, the building was carefully dismantled, its character-defining elements were conserved, and the building was reassembled after the foundations were replaced.

The restoration has not diminished the heritage value of the buildings. The lives of the Stone House and the Summer Kitchen have been extended, and they will retain their historic integrity for many years.