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Introducing... Peter Lougheed (Image 2). The tale of the Lougheed family would hardly be complete without the inclusion of the Senator’s grandson. Son of Edgar, Peter was born in 1928 and is today considered one of the greatest provincial premiers in Canadian history. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts, Peter played professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1949 and 1950. He returned to the U of A and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, before going on to Harvard University and earning his Masters in Business Administration. In 1971, Peter led his Progressive Conservative Party to victory over the Social Credit Party, which had been in power for more than 30 years. He spent much of his time as premier in a struggle with the federal government over Alberta’s resources, which helped him to another election win in 1975 – and then two more landslide victories in 1979 and 1982.

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This is the Senator’s Writing Room (Image 1). You could also call it a den, and it is part of the 1907 expansion. Here, Sir James would sit quietly reading a book, or writing telegrams and letters to friends and family. Today, the room houses an exhibit featuring the most well-known descendant of James and Isabella. Peter Lougheed, son of Edgar and grandson to the original owners, became the tenth premier of Alberta in 1971 and re-shaped the province during his 14 years as head of the government. It could well be said that the legacy of the Lougheeds in public service began in this home, and there may have been no Premier Lougheed if it weren’t for Senator Lougheed. 

Senator's Writing Room

The Lougheed House has borne witness to the evolution of the City of Calgary since 1891. It has seen fires and floods, boom eras and recessions, international cultural events and the everyday lives of its citizens.Built in 1891, the house was originally inhabited by James and Isabella Lougheed. He was a lawyer, involved in real estate, and a future Senator. She was a Métis woman from a prominent fur trading family who was skilled at hosting and community building. Together they would become one of the most respected and well-loved families of the West, a legacy that continues today through the public service of their descendants.Originally built as a family residence on the bald prairie on the outskirts of Calgary, as the city grew up around Lougheed House its purpose shifted and changed to suit the needs of the community. In the Great Depression, it served as a vocational training centre for young women. During and after World War Two, it functioned as a barracks for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. Many Calgarians fondly remember Lougheed House as Red Cross House, when it was a blood donor clinic for many years. In the 1980s and 90s, it sat nearly vacant and the surrounding park became known as the city’s gay prostitution stroll. The history of the House is deeply intertwined with Indigenous histories, our colonial past, the complex narratives of women’s histories, the queer community, and many other social histories of our city. While many historic buildings were being demolished in Calgary, Lougheed House survived through creative adaptive re-use and for its utility to the community. Today, it continues to serve the community as a historic house museum and an artifact of our complex past.

Located on the original 2.8-acre site, this 14,000 square-foot sandstone prairie mansion was built in 1891 by Senator Sir James Alexander Lougheed and his wife Lady Isabella Clark Lougheed (née Hardisty). They raised their family here, made the home one of the finest residences in Canada's west, and it became a political and social hub of fast-growing Calgary until 1936. As a historic site and museum now open to the public year-round, Lougheed House continues to be a "home for Calgary's stories".

This is Sandstone (Images 5 &amp; 6).  It was a popular building material in Calgary due to its local abundance, and its protective value.  In fact, when a downtown fire in 1886 destroyed 16 of Calgary’s buildings, town council passed an ordnance which stated large buildings must be made of Paskapoo sandstone. Calgary was even nicknamed “Sandstone City” – which gave it a unique flair not found in other wood cities on the prairies.  So when architect James R. Bowes designed Lougheed House, he made the natural choice to go with the building material in vogue with all the buildings downtown.  Around the foundation of Lougheed House, the sandstone is rough and unfinished. It makes a distinct change as it rises above elevation, becoming smoother and more formal. It is this light brown stone that makes the house so distinct and unforgettable.

These are the Gardens (Images 1 - 4). Lougheed House rests on the same 2.8-acre parcel as always – amazing when you consider the many changes to the Beltline neighbourhood over the past 100 years. The southwest corner of the property would have housed the carriage house and stable, with the home on the northwest. Everything eastward was all beautiful gardens and pathways. Since the land was not level and included a marshy depression, the solution was a terraced garden, framed with balustrades and retaining walls and which are mirrored on the roof.  The formal gardens featured a sculptural fountain, surrounded by islands of flowers and edged by perennials next to the retaining walls. As early members of the Calgary Horticultural Society, the Lougheed's won prizes at shows and competitions for their gardens. Interestingly, the southern portion of the gardens was left as prairie grassland – presumably to pasture their animals. Although seed generations have changed over the years, today’s gardens only feature turn-of-the-century species. That includes petunias, lilacs, marigolds, roses, snapdragons, peonies and more. 

Garden 

This is a Steam Heat Radiator (Image 3). Steam would have been made in the boiler located in the basement, and then delivered to the radiators through a network of pipes. Steam has the advantage of flowing through pipes under its own pressure without the need for pumping. That is the reason it was adopted earlier, before electric motors and pumps became available. In the Lougheed House, as in other similar homes of its day, steam would have filled the home’s cast iron radiators, with heat spreading – or radiating – throughout the room.  All of the original radiators in the house display a distinct foliage pattern. These could be extremely hot, and people had to be careful when standing close to them.

This is the Restoration Room (Image 1). 
From the mossy green paint to the faded wallpaper, you’d hardly guess it was once a room fit for a princess. Yet that’s exactly what it was in 1912, when the visiting Duke and Duchess of Connaught brought their daughter, Princess Patricia, with them to Calgary. 
A small bathroom was added behind the small door to the right of the fireplace, especially for the royal visit.
Originally, though, the bedroom likely belonged to Clarence, who was the eldest Lougheed child when the family moved in. 
In later years, it became Dorothy’s bedroom – but by 1925 it was referred to simply as the Spare Room. 
During World War II, when the house was a barracks for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, the room received its thick coat of olive green paint (Image 2), which was thought to have a calming effect. In fact, much of the woodwork and walls in the home were treated to the rather unattractive green. 
It’s hard to believe anyone would want to cover over the fine mahogany and oak baseboards, doors, fireplaces and trim of Lougheed House – but keep in mind tastes were different in the 1940s. 
The paint has been kept in this room to maintain the military history of the house prior to its restoration – hence, the Restoration Room. 

Restoration Room

Introducing…the Lougheed Children.  Two of the six children – Norman and Clarence – were born before the family moved in. They would be joined in Lougheed House by Edgar, Dorothy, Douglas and Marjorie.  Clarence and Edgar both became lawyers like their father, and both fought in World War One.  Norman became one of the first members of the Calgary Auto Club in 1914, and eventually moved to Vancouver to open a trading business.  Douglas was the sportsman of the family, and won the Alberta Amateur Golf Championship in 1924.  Dorothy became the family socialite, and is remembered for dancing with the Prince of Wales at a ball held in his honour in 1919.  Marjorie, unfortunately, was never robust. She contracted influenza at age 12 and died in Victoria. Her funeral service was held in the Drawing Room.  Of the six children, Edgar left perhaps the most memorable legacy, his son, Peter. He would go on to become Premier of Alberta – a position he held for 14 years.  Introducing... The Prince of Wales.  Prince Edward, also known as the Prince of Wales, visited Lougheed House for a splendid garden party in 1919.  He must have liked what he saw, because he returned to Lougheed House again in 1923 and a third time in 1928.  Edward became king when his father died in 1936 but he wasn’t even on the throne for a year. In love with a married woman, Wallis Simpson, he chose her over the monarchy and abdicated in December. It was the famous love affair of the century.   Edward was among the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history and, interestingly, was never crowned.  He was succeeded by his brother Albert, who chose the name George the Sixth as his royal title.  Meanwhile visiting royalty was becoming a fairly regular sight at Beaulieu. Other notable guests included Prince George, Governor General Lord and Lady Byng, Lord and Lady Willingdon and prince Erik of Denmark.

This is one of the Children’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2). 

Although it is thought of as Clarence’s bedroom, it’s unsure which of the family’s six children stayed in it. 

When the family moved into the house in 1892, the first resident was probably two-year-old Norman. 

By 1925, it was apparently the room belonging to Douglas, who was 24 and still living at home. 

Finally, it is likely that Clarence took it over. As an adult, he returned from the Great War to live at home until he was married. 

Clarence's Bedroom

This is Anaglypta (Image 3).  It is similar in style to Lincrusta, but considerably less expensive, which is why it is found in the upstairs rooms of Lougheed House and not on the main floor.  Anaglypta is lighter and more flexible than Lincrusta, because it is made from wood pulp and cotton. It is still in production today, but is now made of vinyl and paper. The name derives from the Greek words "Ana" – meaning raised – and "Glypta" – meaning picture. You can see how it gets its name, with its rich texture and intricate patterns.  Introducing…the Live-in Staff.  Naturally, it took a good deal of work to manage a house this size, especially with its frequent guests and social functions.  Workers came and went during the day, and there were only a few who actually lived in the house.  They occupied rooms in the top floor of the house, accessible only by an extremely narrow stairway, and also lived in the carriage house.   Rarely seen and never heard, the service staff also had access to the basement via an equally narrow winding staircase – which led them downstairs to deliver refreshments to guests in the Ballroom.  And who were these people?  Although records are scant, we know there was a full-time cook and maid, as well as staff helping Lady Lougheed with her six children.  A gardener kept the grounds maintained year-round, and stable hands would have fed and watered the family’s horses, as well as looking after the carriages.

This is the Second Floor Hall (Images 1 & 2). Now that you are beyond the main floor, grand rooms have given way to smaller, simpler and more private spaces. As well, the rich mahogany doors and trim downstairs have become solid and practical oak. Even the plaster ceiling, which is so ornate below, is kept simple up here. Although few visitors would have ever come up to this hall, it still had to be kept stylish – this was important as the Duke and Duchess of Connaught once occupied the bedrooms of Sir James and Lady Lougheed. At the end of the hallway, you see a series of electrical wires (Image 3). The framed exhibit window reveals the 1891 knob and tube wiring. These would have connected to bell pushes in the bedrooms that rang the servants’ bell board in the basement. Just like calling for room service today!  Across from the electrical wiring, there is one of two sets of very steep stairs located on this floor. The stairs go down to the kitchen and up to the third floor where the children’s bedrooms were, and which now houses the offices of the Lougheed House Conservation Society. Notice also the transom windows above the doors. These open and close to improve airflow. 

Second Floor Hall

This is Lady Lougheed’s Bathroom (Image 1). 

Sadly, over the years the original fixtures have been removed from the room, which would have featured a cast iron tub, corner sink and of course, a toilet. 

The lady of the house was entitled to her privacy, which is why it was connected to her equally private bedroom. 

Still, you get a sense of the intimacy of this space – with its rich wood paneling similar to Sir James’ bathroom and the ceiling similar to that in his study. 

The exhibit in this room tells the story of the owners and occupants of the house following the death of Lady Lougheed in 1936, and the departure of the remaining family in 1938. 

Lady Lougheed's Bathroom 

Introducing…Isabella Lougheed (Image 3).  It is easy to think of the Lougheed legacy starring a well-known Senator and his equally famous grandson, but that would be ignoring a major part of the story.  Lady Lougheed is perhaps even more intriguing.  Isabella Clark Hardisty was born in 1861. She was niece to Richard Hardisty, Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, as well as to Lord Strathcona, who had interests in the Bank of Montreal and Canadian Pacific Railway – and who drove in the Last Spike. In many ways, she was like Canadian royalty.  At only six years old, Isabella – or Belle – traveled with the fur trade across the prairies. She developed into the perfect combination of high society and western practicality for young James Lougheed, who benefited greatly from his marriage to her.  In addition to raising six children, Isabella kept a very active social schedule and was prominent in all the major events held in Calgary. She was also a founding member of many local groups that still exist today.  Following the Senator’s death in 1925, Lady Lougheed kept the house vibrant for several more years until the burden of taxes and maintenance became too much. Even after the mansion was repossessed during the Depression in 1934, the City allowed Isabella to live here until her death in 1936.  Introducing... Richard Hardisty (Image 4). Richard was Isabella’s uncle, and an important player in the Hudson’s Bay Company in Manitoba. He was once considered the wealthiest man in the Northwest Territories.  Hardisty was chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and his brother-in-law was Donald Smith, who was later known as Lord Strathcona.  The two men arrived at Manitoba’s Upper Fort Garry in 1869 and were put under house arrest by none other than Louis Riel.  Following his career with the company, Hardisty was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1888, where he served until 1889.  Unfortunately, his political career was cut short when he was involved in a horse and buggy accident, and died of his injuries.  By then, his niece Isabella had married James Lougheed, who went on to occupy the seat held by his wife’s uncle. And that is how James Lougheed became Senator James Lougheed!  Introducing... Lord Strathcona. A fur trader, businessman, politician, and adventurer, he was the second of Lady Lougheed’s famous uncles.   Although he would later be known as Lord Strathcona, he began his life as Donald Smith in Scotland.  After emigrating to Canada and joining the Hudson’s Bay Company, he spent 20 years moving up from fur trader to governor.  Along the way, he became a key player in the Red River Rebellion and spent much of 1870 under house arrest by Louis Riel. He was active in politics after that, both in the Manitoba Legislature and in the Canadian House of Commons.  Smith also played a leading role in the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In fact, he is the man who drove the Last Spike to complete the railway.  He was raised to the peerage in 1897 as Lord Strathcona, after which he assembled a unit of soldiers to fight in the South African War – the legendary Lord Strathcona’s Horse.  Upon retiring from business and politics, he was appointed Canadian High Commissioner in London, where he died in 1914.

This is Lady Lougheed’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2).

It is one of two rooms making up her suite – which includes the bedroom, and personal bathroom.

They were clearly good enough for royalty. In 1912, Her Royal Highness Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught, stayed in these rooms. The Calgary News-Telegram wrote that “festoons of roses on silvery paper and graceful mauve silk draperies make this suite one of the prettiest in the house.”

Although the pretty wallpapers and draperies were removed over time, much of the rooms remain as it was when the duchess stayed here.

Much of the furniture is original and reveals the fine craftsmanship of the day. The shutters – which were once lost and have since been returned – show how they would have been used to control light and provide privacy.




Lady Lougheed's Bedroom 

This is an example of Paint in the Lougheed House. When the house was new, a coat of chalky paint, also known as calcimine or distemper, would be chosen to briefly cover the wet plaster while it dried. It was almost always meant to be temporary, since the taste of the day dictated that fine wallpaper would cover most of the surfaces. Introducing... the Duke and Duchess of Connaught The most illustrious guests ever to stay in Lougheed House left a lasting legacy across Canada – and nowhere more so than here in Calgary. The Duke, who served as the Governor General of Canada, arrived in Calgary with his wife the Duchess and daughter Patricia during a vice-regal visit in 1912. The Duke occupied the senator’s bedroom, while his wife assumed Lady Lougheed’s bedroom and boudoir, and Princess Patricia stayed in what is now called the Restoration Room. The family attended many social functions during their stay in Calgary, including the opening of the very first Stampede. They are the reason the neighborhood that is now part of the Beltline District is called Connaught. Allegedly, during one meeting, a local military group asked if they could name their regiment in honour of the Duke. He replied that he already had such an honour. The request then passed to his wife, who answered that she too had a regiment in her name already. So it was that they settled on Patricia – and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was born. Over two world wars, many peacekeeping missions and continuing today, the PPCLI has distinguished itself perhaps more than any other regiment in the Canadian military.

This is the Sitting Room (Images 1 & 2).

As in most large houses of the time, husband and wife had separate bedrooms. This room was located between the bedrooms of Sir James and Lady Lougheed.

When the Duke and Duchess of Connaught visited in 1912 and stayed up here, both rooms were used as the Duchess’ boudoir.

Across form the entrance into the writing room you can see Senator Lougheed’s personal bathroom complete with the original tub (Image 3).

In one of the framed exhibit windows, you can see the original pipes and plumbing, as the typical lath and plaster construction used for interior walls. 

Wondering why the floor is sloping? That’s caused by the weight of the 1907 addition, settling into the earth. It was repaired in 2003.

Sitting Room 

Introducing... Peter Lougheed (Image 2).  The tale of the Lougheed family would hardly be complete without the inclusion of the Senator’s grandson.  Son of Edgar, Peter was born in 1928 and is today considered one of the greatest provincial premiers in Canadian history.  After graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts, Peter played professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1949 and 1950. He returned to the U of A and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, before going on to Harvard University and earning his Masters in Business Administration.  In 1971, Peter led his Progressive Conservative Party to victory over the Social Credit Party, which had been in power for more than 30 years.  He spent much of his time as premier in a struggle with the federal government over Alberta’s resources, which helped him to another election win in 1975 – and then two more landslide victories in 1979 and 1982.

Introducing…Senator Sir James Lougheed (Image 3). Lawyer, businessman, politician, pioneer…he was all these things and more.  He was born in 1854 of an Irish immigrant family. After apprenticing as a carpenter, James studied law at Osgoode Hall before setting his sights on the opportunities of the West.   After marrying Isabella in Calgary, his law practice flourished. When her uncle, Richard Hardisty, died in 1889, James was appointed to the senate to fill the vacant seat. Only 35, he was the youngest senator in the country.  Senator Lougheed became a key figure in establishing Alberta as a province, He also became the conservative Senate leader holding several key portfolios including Minister of Soldiers Civil Reestablishment.   In 1916, he was knighted by King George the Fifth, becoming the only Albertan ever to receive the honour.  He also formed a law partnership with R.B. Bennett , who would go on to become Prime Minister of Canada.  The Senator was even active in the arts, and built both the Lyric and Sherman Grand theatres. The Grand, which is still in use today, was part of the 7-story Lougheed Building. It was the largest theatre in Canada when it opened in 1912.  Senator Lougheed died in 1925.  Introducing…R.B. Bennett (image 4).  Originally from New Brunswick, Richard Bedford Bennett moved to Calgary as a young lawyer to accept a partnership with James Lougheed in 1897.  He would eventually become Prime Minister of Canada during the worst years of the Great Depression – 1930 to 1935.  During his life as a partner at Lougheed Bennett, he lived in a local hotel and later in a boarding house.   Bennett was key to establishing the Calgary Public Library, and also became director of Calgary Power, which is today known as TransAlta.  He distinguished himself in politics as the first leader of the Alberta Conservative Party, before moving on to the federal scene. It was there that he was named Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, and finally Prime Minister in 1930.  After an eventful time in Canada’s top post, Bennett was defeated in 1935 and retired to Britain in 1938.  He later became the first and only Canadian Prime Minister to be elevated to the peerage when he was named Viscount Bennett in the County of Surrey.   Bennett died in 1947 and is the only former Prime Minister not buried in Canada.

This is the Senator’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2).

Yes, it is noticeably smaller than Lady Lougheed’s own bedroom, but keep in mind the room also includes his writing room.  

In 1912, Duke of Connaught slept in this room, which was described in the Calgary News Telegram as “furnished with carved mahogany, with rich Oriental rugs.” The paper also noted its book-lined den, leather furniture, inviting fireplace and huge bowl of crimson roses.

The intense blue of the room would have been the first colour seen on its walls. Paint was often applied to walls during the long time it took for the plaster to dry, before being covered by the much more fashionable wallpaper. In the framed exhibit window behind the door, you can see some of the many wallpaper styles that appeared on these walls over the years.

It would have been a cozy bedroom, with its stained oak fireplace and thick rugs. The carpet below you, although not original to the room, is over 100 years old!


Senator's Bedroom 

This is the Octagonal Tower (Image 2).  It is a distinguishing characteristic of Lougheed House – really more stylish than practical.   Towers were popular in the grand homes of the late 1800s – found in both Queen Anne and Romanesque architecture.  As with the Lougheed House, eight-sided towers were almost always single elements found at one corner of the house. They offered a chance to break up the monotony of a square home by introducing a unique feature at one end.   This is The Organ (Image 3). This antique organ is a very different instrument from the Grand Piano found in the Mission Room downstairs.  It is a wooden pump organ, which also goes by the name reed organ, parlor organ, cabinet organ and cottage organ.   As you can see, it is a lot smaller than the pipe organs found in large cathedrals. This one is designed for more intimate spaces – like smaller churches and private homes. The volume and tonal range of pump organs were limited, and they began to fall out of favour in the late 1900s as home pianos became more popular, and fewer organ compositions became available.

This is the Second Floor Landing (Image 1). 

Looking out the window across 13th Avenue, you see the Ranchmen’s Club. Built in 1914, it is Calgary’s oldest and most prestigious private club. 

The street itself was originally named Kennedy. There were many elegant homes belonging to prominent Calgarians like Senator Patrick Burns and William Roper Hull.  

Of course, when Lougheed House was built, there were few buildings taller than the Ranchmen’s Club between where you are standing and downtown Calgary. 

From this landing, Lady Lougheed would spot the senator setting out from his downtown office in horse and buggy bound for home. That would have been the signal to tell the cook that dinner could be started. 

Eventually, as the family grew, the downtown landscape took on a distinctly “Lougheed feel.” From this viewpoint, you would have been able to see a pair of buildings named for sons Clarence and Norman, which can still be found on Stephen avenue.  

Second Floor Landing 

These are switches for Electric Lights (Image 4). They are push-button type switches, which means pushing one button down pops the other one up. Today, almost all home light switches are of the toggle variety, but when Lougheed House was built, the toggle switch was still 25 years away from being standardized. Electric light would still have been considered new-fangled to the Lougheeds. Prior to electricity being available in homes, oil lamps and candles were the only ways to keep rooms lit.

This is the Main Staircase (Image 1&2).

Like the Drawing Room and Main Hall, it is crafted in High Victorian style. 

The staircase is actually quite steep and narrow in comparison to others in similar homes, and leads up to the family bedrooms.

Perhaps the most notable feature on the staircase are the stained glass windows. Like others found throughout the house, this one has been individually hand-painted in the center. Each window features a different bird or animal (Image 3). 

As well as being decorative and offering splashes of brilliant colour, stained glass windows were also excellent for adding a dash of privacy without the need for curtains.


Main Staircase

This is the Lougheeds’ Telephone (Image 6). It was one of the first telephones in Calgary, which is why the telephone number was simply 77. Likely, the majority of calls were made to the senator’s law firm – Lougheed and Bennett – at number 21. In essence, the line acted more like an intercom than what we now know as a telephone. The location of the phone was probably not where you see it today at the end of the Main Hall. Likely, it would not have been in plain sight at all, since it would have probably been answered by servants. Needless to say, unlike today’s homes, it was the only phone in the house. Introducing…King George V (Image 7).  This was the monarch who bestowed the knighthood upon James Lougheed in 1916.   A grandson of Queen Victoria, cousin of Tsar Nicholas of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, George ruled over the United Kingdom from 1910 to his death in 1936.  As King George, he was the symbolic figurehead for the empire throughout the important years of World War One – right through to the equally difficult years of the Depression in the early 1930s.  It was George who established the name Windsor for his family, as an attempt to remove all traces of its previous German connections. And that name that still exists today as the proper surname of the British Royal Family.

This is Senator Lougheed’s Study (Images 1 - 5).

When not working at his Calgary law office, Sir James would have used it as a private retreat, and for small meetings. 

Although most of the original furnishings – like an ornate bookshelf – fell victim to auction sales or inheritances, there are a few important items still to be found.

The large mahogany chair belonged to Senator Lougheed, and features his heraldic motif carved in the wooden back (Image 4). 

The picture is of Prime Minister Robert Borden’s conservative government of 1914, and you can find Senator Lougheed in it.

There is also the senator’s framed knighthood regalia – awarded to him by King George in 1916 for his services to Canada in World War One. From then on, he would always be Sir James Lougheed.

The room started out as a kitchen, and became a study during the 1907 renovation. It was also used as an entrance, since the western wall once opened onto a porch that would have led to the carriage house and stable.


Senator's Study

This is the Conservatory (Images 8 &amp; 9). It’s the room where the Lougheeds would have eaten most of their meals – leaving the Dining Room for more formal occasions. Like the Mission Room and the Dining Room, it was also part of the 1907 renovation. At different times, the Conservatory has also been referred to as the morning room and the rosery. That’s because its large southern exposure makes it a particularly bright place in the morning, as well as offering an ideal location for growing potted plants – especially roses. Overhead, you’ll notice a ceiling decorated in gold leaf, while at your feet you’ll see a floor made of fir. Because fir is a softwood, it’s important to cover the delicate surface with carpets. Today, the Conservatory is in daily use as a restaurant.

This is the Dining Room (Images 1 - 5).

Fitted with a mixture of both formal and club-room furnishings, it is notable for its Tudor style paneling and elegant built-in leaded glass cabinets.

But perhaps the most striking feature of the room is the overhead dome (Image 6). The panels of the dome were originally stained glass, which would have radiated colour into the room. 

In the 1950s, the dome was thought to be leaking, so it was covered up and remained hidden for nearly 50 years. Only during restoration was it discovered – to be re-built and bring light back into the Dining Room.

Used mostly for grand occasions and fancy teas, the Dining Room played host to royalty on several occasions, with the Prince of Wales, Prince George and Duke of Connaught all enjoying the lavish setting.

Since hunting was a favorite pastime in those days, it would have been common to see mounted animal trophies like the ones you see adorning the walls of the Dining Room. No doubt, guests of that time would have been impressed.

A few Lougheed possessions are found here. The family’s chinaware and silver service (Image 7) are in the display cabinets, and the sideboard – with its carved mirror – are all original to this room.

It should be noted that the bar is a modern addition and it was built to match the style of this room (Image 2). 


Dining Room and Conservatory

This is the Lougheed Monogram (Image 5). What letters do you see when you look at the monogram etched in the glass? They are certainly stylized, but you can clearly make out a J and L, with an A in the middle. Naturally, it is the monogram of James Alexander Lougheed, and it would have been a symbol of both affluence and prestige to have one’s own personalized monogram etched into glass. Keep your eyes open for other glass doors in the home featuring the monogram.

This is the Mission Room (Images 1 - 3).

When the Lougheed House was built in 1891, this space was an open porch overlooking the gardens.

Sixteen years later, it was enclosed and converted into a room for recreation and relaxation. Its features – which include unique stained glass and high wooden paneling – are in the Mission style, which give the room its name. 

If you look at the entrance to this room from the Drawing Room, you realize how thick the original walls of the house are. 

For many years, this was one of the most enjoyable rooms in the home, with cozy overstuffed chairs, oriental carpets, dark oak paneling and intense colours. The Steinway grand piano (Image 4) you see in the room, although not the original, gives you an idea of the sort of entertainment found here.

Long after Lougheed House had served as a family home, this room was enlarged by the Red Cross in 1967, to be used as a Blood Donor Clinic. During restoration, though, it was returned to its original 1907 size – complete with reproduction light fixtures and luxuriously thick curtains.

Mission Room

Lougheed House is a wonderful example of High Victorian Eclecticism. The Victorian period, during the reign of Queen Victoria, included a vast array of architectural styles – which is why it is referred to as being eclectic. Some of those styles were Neo-Gothic, Neo-Classic, Second Empire, Mannerist, Tudor-Revival, Romanesque and Italianate. Essentially, designers went looking to their history books to borrow liberally from the past. Architects were free to choose from different styles – and even combine them. That is the case with Lougheed House, which shows a delightful mix of influences that all work in harmony.

This is the Drawing Room (Images 1 - 4).

It was here, in 1892, that James and Isabella Lougheed held a grand housewarming ball for 130 guests.

It was also here that Isabella would entertain visitors with tea on the first Thursday of every month.

Sadly, it wasn’t all good times. The Drawing Room also served as a funeral parlor, which included a service for the Lougheeds’ youngest child, Marjorie, who died in 1917 at age 12.

The funeral for the senator himself was held here in 1925 – followed by his loving wife Isabella in 1936.

The final blow came in 1938, when this room hosted the auction of all the Lougheed family possessions.

Still, the Drawing Room is notable for its splendor – from its ornate plaster ceiling (Image 5) to the majestic fireplace. 

There are some wonderful finishing touches in this room – like the fireplace surround painted to look like marble, and the shimmering mica chips in the framed wall panels.

Everything you see was the height of Victorian fashion décor.


Drawing Room

This is an Inglenook (Image 5). From the Scots language meaning chimney corner, an inglenook was generally a partially enclosed hearth area that was part of a larger room. In the case of Lougheed House, it likely had a special purpose. A curtain would have draped over the opening, and the space would have mostly been used by ladies. Here, they would draw the curtain so as to remove their footwear, being ever so discreet to avoid showing even a hint of ankle, foot or leg. Remember, these were people of the late Victorian age – always proper and almost always private. This is Lincrusta (Image 6). It was invented in 1877 by the same person who patented linoleum and became an instant success because it was the first washable wallcovering. A deeply embossed covering available in thousands of styles, Lincrusta is made from a paste of gelled linseed oil and wood flour spread on a heavy canvas. The linseed gel in Lincrusta continues to dry for many years, which means the surface actually gets tougher with age. That explains why many examples exist of Lincrusta that are more than a hundred years old. Lincrusta was also easy to paint, either with oil-based or water-based paint, and provided an excellent base for colour washes, marbling and glazing. Of course, it was also expensive – which is why it was found only in the best homes.

This is the Entrance Foyer and Main Hall (Images 1 - 3) .

Visiting dignitaries arriving at Lougheed House would have shared an immediate feeling of style and grandeur.

Passing through the heavy doors into the foyer – also known as a portico – they were enclosed in dark mahogany wood, with light streaming in from the many stained glass windows (Image 4).

In fact, all the stained glass in the home was supplied by McCausland and Company of Toronto. It is still in business today – the oldest surviving stained glass studio in North America.

At your feet, you will also notice the intricate pattern of mosaic tiles in the portico, leading to the gleaming maple floors of the main hall.  


Main Hall

This is the Ballroom (Images 5 &amp; 6). The Lougheeds led a busy social life, and that required a space for activities like dancing. So it was in 1907 that much of the home’s basement was transformed into a ballroom. The family hosted its annual New Year’s Day Levee in this room, as well as numerous other social functions. In 1914, the Morning Albertan newspaper reported that “the much talked-of tango was the anticipated feature of Mrs. Lougheed’s dansant Saturday afternoon for her daughter, Miss Dorothy (Image 7).” Keeping guests entertained in the ballroom also meant getting refreshments to them from upstairs. At the south end of the room, a window opening in the wall acted as a pass-through to transfer food and drinks from the kitchen staff to the servants. Dances are still held occasionally in the ballroom, which today serves double-duty as a gallery.

This is the Library (Images 1 & 2).

The Lougheeds’ love of books was well known. In fact, it was said that by the time the Calgary Public Library opened in 1912, the family already had one of the finest private libraries in the West.

As part of the 1907 expansion, the Lougheed’s Library included a fireplace and built-in bookcases with sliding glass doors.

In addition to his impressive law library, Sir James (Image 3) kept books of every description, and the family was known to give out books by Shakespeare as wedding gifts.

Then, in 1938, the library practically vanished. Following the death of Lady Lougheed (Image 4), the entire collection of several hundred books was sold at auction for a mere 22 dollars.


Library and Ballroom

Once the YWCA was out, the Canadian Red Cross took over the home for use as a blood donor clinic. For a time, it became known as Red Cross House – a familiar landmark for the thousands of people who came here to donate blood, roll bandages, knit and sew for disaster relief efforts. By the 1970s, the Red Cross had added a wing and a laboratory, but had still outgrown the building. Luckily, though, Lougheed House was saved from the wrecking ball after the Red Cross left. It stood empty for 15 years until the vision of the Lougheed House Conservation Society began to take shape. The result is what you see here today. Let’s look at the architectural style of Lougheed House. There are precious few examples of this type of home still remaining. Designed by architect James R. Bowes, it follows the High Victorian Eclectic style. Essentially that means it was built at the peak of the Victorian age, with influences from a wide variety of other architectural styles of the past – making it both grand and whimsical. The influences of French Chateau and Romanesque Revival styles can be seen in the steeply pitched roofs and rough stone walls. The towers and asymmetrical shapes of the exterior are fine examples of the Queen Anne style. It all comes together in a powerful composition topped with tall chimneys and ornate balustrades. There was simply no other like it. Nor would there ever be, as Bowes died not long after its construction. When the home was expanded and renovated in 1907, it took on an even larger presence – making it truly fit for royalty. Which was proven on more than one occasion. As you move throughout the house, take note of the many intricate details – from the ornamental brass hinge plates on the doors to the quaint animal paintings enclosed in the stained glass.

Much of the story of Lougheed House took place well after the family moved out.

Beginning in 1938, it became a Home Service Training Centre. Twenty to 40 girls from around southern Alberta stayed here and took classes in homecraft, childcare, budget preparation, cooking, needlework and first aid.

When World War II broke out, the house closed for two years. It reopened as a training base for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. The residence became a barracks for the women, and there were even huts built in the back yard to provide additional space.

Following the war, the YWCA used the home as a residence for ex-servicewomen as they found their way back into society.

House History Overview

The story of Lougheed House begins in the summer of 1883. That’s when Isabella Clarke Hardisty and James Alexander Lougheed moved to Calgary. Within a year, they met and married. As a young lawyer with an eye for opportunity, James quickly discovered the advantages of his union with Isabella, who was the niece of both Lord Strathcona AND a chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company. After being appointed to the senate in 1889, Lougheed was truly on his way up. He and Isabella, who most simply called Belle, turned their eyes to this 2.8 acre parcel of land and the vision of a grand home began to take shape. By the time the home was completed in 1891, the Lougheeds had two sons – Clarence and Norman. To that, they would add four more children – Edgar, Dorothy, Douglas and Marjorie. It would have been a wonderful place for children to grow up, with separate bedrooms, pets, horses, gardens for active outdoor play and a large playroom on the top floor.

Welcome to Lougheed House!

Built in 1891 by Senator James Lougheed and his wife Isabella Hardisty Lougheed, it was the grandest home in Calgary for many years.

The home sits on a street once known as Millionaire’s Row, in what is today called the Beltline District.

The Lougheeds named their splendid mansion Beaulieu, which is French for “beautiful place” and you will see other references to that name in various spots throughout the home.

Over its long history, Lougheed House has been a family residence, a training centre for young women, a women’s military barracks and a blood donor clinic.

The building then sat empty until the year 2000, when restoration began and life began to spring back into its walls.

The home is a launching pad to a rich history that spans the opening of the West, late Victorian style and values, and the thriving business and social community of early Calgary.

Lougheed House National & Provincial Historic Site

Senator's Writing Room

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information