1919 – Maxwells’ Design for War Memorial Museum, Regina, Saskatchewan

Design in architectural competition for a new museum and war memorial in the grounds of the Regina legislature building – designed by E. & W.S. Maxwell who also designed that building.

The Hall of Honor partakes of the nature of a Pantheon, the top lighting recalling the one at Rome, which is acknowledged one of the most admirably lighted interiors in the world. The semi-circular apse is designed to receive the tablets honoring those who participated in the war. It was considered that the Hall of Honor should have the important central position in the plan, and the aspidal treatment was introduced in order that the tablets, which in their very nature will always be symbols of valor and sacrifice, should occupy a position of honor quite apart from the routes of circulation, and yet in evidence to all who enter the Museum. In adopting the aspidal treatment, there is a spiritual significance recognized and place of honor given for its commemoration.

The main entrance in its form and dominance in the composition, commemorates the triumph achieved in tlie great struggle for human rights. Its arched form and ample facilities for entering, all tend to express this idea. The two lunettes show maps, decoratively treated, indicating the places where the great battles took place

The lateral passages on each side give access to the War Relics Museum, a well portioned hall that will house in a fitting manner the various engines and implements of war from the smallest articles to the guns and aeroplanes which will require a spaciousness and height for their proper display. The Record Room opens off this Museum, conveniently placed next to the general office.

While the Museum rooms are of secondary importance, they nevertheless are well situated, well lighted apartments that in no way suffer by being made subsidiary to the more monumental features of the building. The Museum of Ethnology and History is placed north of the Hall of Honor, while the Museum of Zoology is to the south. Opening off the latter are the rooms for botany ornithology, mineralogy and entomology

The Curator’s private room and general office are easily accessible to visitors, next the records room, thus concentrating the administration of the building in one portion. In the lobby, giving access to the general offices, is located the cases for photographs, etc., thus if necessary being the care of one of the assistants employed therein.

Two staircases giving approaches to the lower floor, a spacious goods hoist, a coat room, and a private lavatory occupy the remaining space on this, the principal floor.

The lower floor contains a receiving, unpacking and storage room for exhibits, close to the goods hoist, with a separate entrance, a repair room, ample rooms for spare collections and stores, while public lavatories are provided for both sexes. The approach for vehicles to the receiving room is on an inclined drive, thus delivering goods to the lower floor level. Provision has also been made for the delivery of large exhibits to the Museum Hall at the rear of the building, where an inclined roadway leading up to a special entrance is provided.

The cubical contents work out to a total of 496,327 cubic feet, allowance having been made for all foundations with a sufficient spread of footing to a depth of 12 feet below the mean Ievel of the site, as well as for all parapets, dome and other features extending above the roof. At the unit of price of 80 cents per cubic foot mentioned in the conditions, the cost of the building would amount to $397,061.60.
Construction, September 1919

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