Ukrainian village in Alberta to remain closed for restoration after devastating fire

A fire burns at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village near Elk Island National Park, Alta. in this Alberta RCMP handout photo posted on their Facebook page, on Friday, April 18, 2025. Firefighters who battled a wind-fanned grass fire that spread to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton managed to save the historic structures at the open-air museum, but provincial officials say the visitor centre buildings were lost. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Facebook, Alberta RCMP (Mandatory Credit)

EDMONTON — A heritage museum honouring Ukrainian culture in Alberta will remain closed as it works to restore several buildings and artifacts lost to a devastating fire.

A fire broke out near the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in April and levelled several buildings, including visitor reception, exhibition galleries, collections and curatorial storage.

Furnishings for the historical buildings, as well as some artifacts and original research files also were lost.

The Alberta government says the loss is profound for the province’s Ukrainian community, and work is underway to clean up the site and re-establish services.

To allow for proper restoration, it says the Ukrainian village will be closed for the rest of the summer season and upcoming events are cancelled.

Village director David Makowsky says staff are committed to reopening as soon as possible.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2025.