Lougheed House is a historic mansion located in Calgary, Alberta, known for its beautiful architecture and rich cultural significance. Originally built in 1891, it now serves as a museum and cultural centre, offering visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle and aspirations of an upper class Prairie family.
Lougheed House is an ideal destination if you're in downtown Calgary and seeking a dose of history (which unfortunately is few and far between in Calgary compared to Eastern Canada). The admission fee is quite affordable, and if you happen to be a Canoo App holder, entry is absolutely free.
A Glimpse into the Past of an Upper Class Prairie Family
As soon as you step foot into Lougheed House you’ll instantly feel transported to the early 20th century. As someone that grew up in the UK (and was dragged around lots of old stately homes like this as a child….!) it definitely reminds me of many of the buildings that I visited there.
The mansion was once the residence of Senator James Alexander Lougheed, a relative of Peter Lougheed (who has a beautiful provincial park named after him in Kananaskis), who was a prominent figure in Alberta’s history. If you are interested in learning more about the houses history, the website has a very informative page here.
Inside Lougheed House
I was pleasantly surprised by how much my kids enjoyed exploring Lougheed House. I honestly thought they might have been bored, but they were fascinated listening to the audio stories telling tales of the Lougheed family, and enjoyed pointing out the old fashioned kids toys in the kids bedrooms. On the ground floor there is a vintage piano that is available to play which was a lot of fun too (thankfully, we were the only ones in the museum at the time)!
Once we had finished looking around the house, we took a walk around the gardens, which were well kept and had some lovely plants and flowers throughout. The kids were free to run around and burn off all that pent up energy. It’s worth noting that the gardens are accessible year-round and admission to the gardens is free of charge.
Special Events at Lougheed House
Although we didn’t take part ourselves, keep an eye out for special events and workshops that happen throughout the year at Lougheed House. They regularly have afternoon tea available in the restaurant, which is apparently excellent. They often host special exhibitions, one-off events like art classes, historical reenactments, or garden scavenger hunts for children. Additionally, every Sunday at 1 pm, a free guided tour of the mansion is included in your ticket price.
Tips for Visiting Lougheed House in Calgary
Open: Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30 am to 4 pm; see their website for current info. They are closed for all statutory holidays.
Admission:
Adults - $8.50
Seniors (65+) - $6.50
Youth (7 - 17) - $6.50
Family – $25
Child (6 and under) – FREE
Lougheed House Conservation Society Members - FREE
Restaurant Patrons Discounted Museum Admission - $4.00
Parking is free, with a handful of parking spots but it was empty when we visited
Overall, we enjoyed our visit. It’s not a place that I would be rushing back to see again, but definitely glad we have visited. I would definitely consider going back to one of their afternoon teas for a special occasion, or to take a stroll through the gardens when I’m close by.
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