Saskatoon Heritage Society celebrates 50 years

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

It was standing room only inside Saskatoon’s oldest house as the history of the city’s buildings was shared in celebration of the new year.

“This building is the oldest standing building still in Saskatoon that has never been moved. It’s been here since 1884, and this building actually became a landmark. And it was the heritage society that convinced the city of Saskatoon to purchase this building,” Terry Hoknes, secretary and the webmaster for the Saskatoon Heritage Society said.

The Saskatoon Heritage Society hosted their annual New Year’s event at the Marr Residence. The gathering was an opportunity to reflect on the city’s significant buildings both past and present. Hoknes shared a presentation featuring a timeline of events throughout the organization’s history.

“All the heritage events leading up to the formation of the Heritage Society...and see some of the landmark buildings that have actually vanished over the years,” Hoknes said.

While this gathering happens annually, 2026 marks a particularly special year for the Saskatoon Heritage Society. The group has now been active for 50 years in the city. Peggy Sarjeant also spoke at the event and shared that the organization is very dear to her heart.

“It’s about raising awareness amongst the public and amongst the local municipality, city councilors and also in the province how important it is to preserve important elements of our past and bring a sense of place, a sense of identity to the city,” Peggy Sargent, a former president of the Heritage Society and featured speaker at the event said.

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Sarjeant moved to Saskatoon prior to the existence of the Heritage Society and she became involved after concerns for the future of city’s CP Rail station.

Both Sarjeant and Hoknes shared that throughout the history of the group, they have had to say a sad goodbye to several beautiful buildings. Hoknes noted the farewell to Capital Theatre was an especially difficult moment.

“There have been some tragedies over the years of buildings that we’ve lost. Everyone was upset, and we’ve had to learn how to deal more with city, with politics, to have a stronger voice to make sure that we don’t lose the landmarks,” Hoknes said.

But inside the sitting room of the Marr Residence, it was evident that many people in Saskatoon are passionately working to keep history alive in the city.

“I think it’s hugely optimistic. It makes me feel really good that people are coming out learning about the history of the society and what happened before that, how it all began and about what we’ve been doing within the society,” Sarjeant said.