
"Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1", Regina, SK
Posted by:
WannerClan
N 50° 27.017 W 104° 36.735
13U E 527528 N 5588769
Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Hall, officially opened October 17, 1951
Waymark Code: WMYKQ
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Date Posted: 11/13/2006
Views: 35
It only seems appropriate that the first branch in this category is Branch #1. The Regina branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was established in 1926, and was the first Legion branch in Canada to be issued a charter. The Legion's Memorial Hall was designed by Van Egmond and Storey Architects of Regina and constructed in two phases between 1947 and 1951. It was officially opened on October 17, 1951, with then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in attendance.
The building features a two-storey building with a light-brown brick and Tyndall Stone façade and prominent central tower. The Municipal Heritage Property designation applies specifically to the Cornwall Street façade as well as to the Memorial Tower, the stained glass windows, murals, terrazzo flooring, coats of arms, and wrought-iron gates which separate the foyer from the Trophy Room and Chapel.
The heritage value of 1820 Cornwall Street also resides in its architecture, which is a late example of the Classical Moderne style, a variant of the larger Art Deco movement, which was popular during the interwar period.
Further heritage value resides in the Memorial Hall, which features a central Memorial Peace Tower, believed to be the only one of its kind other than the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. The Memorial Tower is enhanced by five stained glass windows. Eight large murals in the Memorial Chamber depict important events and images of Canadian military history and were created in 1956 by Canadian artist Kenneth Lochhead.
A large Legion crest is incorporated into the foyer's terrazzo floor, and two large plaster cast coats of arms are situated above the entrance and auditorium doors.
The floor and mural work have to be seen to be believed.
Sorry for the quality of some of the pictures. The lighting was bad and the lobby is very cramped with the lens I was using.
Street address: Branch #1
 Year the building was constructed.: Completed in phases between 1947 and 1951. Opened 1951
 Activities: Friday or Saturday socials
 Hall rental: Yes
 Can headgear be worn inside?: Yes
 Web-link for this "Legion": Not listed

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