St. Ann's Academy

Tourism Region: Victoria

A former convent school, St. Ann's Academy was built between 1871 and 1910. From a simple log cabin in Victoria, it became one of the largest, best-equipped educational institutions in the region and the first four-story masonary building in the city. With their origins in Lachine, Quebec, the Sisters of St. Ann developed St. Ann's in a French architectural style. Closed as a school and the Sisters' provincial headquarters in 1974, St. Ann's eventually underwent extensive restoration and re-opened as a historic site in 1997.

Walk through the wrought-iron gate, along the drive, up the grand staircase and into the school's formal entrance. View the 1920's parlours then enter the chapel. The Chapel, built in 1958 as Victoria's first Roman Catholic Cathedral, was added to the school in 1886. Like many rural French Canadian churches, it has ornate altars and ceiling carvings, gold-leaf detailing, original oil paintings, stained glass windows, and a 1913 Casavant pipe organ. The resplendent Novitiate Garden has a geometric herb bed, perennials, and a recreated 1925 summerhouse. The 1910 formal garden contains rare trees and a unique non-operating fountain.

About the Collections

St. Ann's Academy includes edwardian furnishings, religious art and artifacts as well as building components and a comprehensive photograph collection documenting the restoration of the buiiding from 1995 through 1997. An oral history project records the memories of sisters, and students of the school as well as those involved in the restoration of the building.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 8000 items

Archives

44 Oral history interviews document the memories of sisters and students in the building as well as those involved in the restoration of the building. A collection of 7000 images documents the restoration of the building primarily in black and white art images.

Prints and Drawings • Photographs • Sound Recordings

Decorative Arts

The collection includes items of edwardian furniture, a 1913 Casavant church organ and a sister's habit as well as religious statuary.

Ceramics, Porcelain or Pottery • Costumes • Furniture or Furnishings • Glass • Musical Instruments • Textiles or Tapestries

Fine Arts

Original oils and pencil sketches are on display, the works of former art teachers and their students at St. Ann's Academy.

Culture:
Canadian

Period:
Historical

Media:
Painting • Photography • Prints and Drawings

Miscellaneous:
Folk Art • Religious Art

Human History

Archaeological Objects • Costumes and Accessories • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Imaging : Photographs : Video • Local History • Memorabilia • Musical Instruments • Oral History • Performing Arts • Religious or Liturgical Objects

Services & Activities

Educational Programs, Visitor Services, Facility Rentals and Research assistance.

Research Services

We respond to general inquiries regarding the history of the building and those who have lived, worked and learned here.

Archival Records • Library
Other: Referral to other holdings related to the history of the building

Educational Programs

Hands-on school program for elementary students based on the current BC curriculum teaches students about the school while studying geography, historic photographs and faux-painting techniques as well as student life. This program is also available in a bi-lingual french & english format. Through the Society of Friends of St. Ann's Academy, we offer a series of free Friday lunch and Sunday afternoon lectures and presentations at various times throughout the year.

Lectures • School Programs : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) : Age 18 and up (Post-Secondary)

Visitor Services

Volunteers greet our visitors and offer a guide to the building and grounds. The guide is currently available in English with French and Spanish versions due shortly.

Guided Tours : English • Accessible by Public Transportation • Information Centre or Desk • Meeting Room Rental • Nature Trails, Walks or Gardens • Parking Facilities : Free : Bus • Gift shop • Special Needs Facilities : Parking : Washrooms : Wheelchair access • Cloakroom • Washrooms
Other Guided Tours: Group Tours are available on a pre-arranaged basis for $2 per person

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available

Number of Volunteers: 10

Activities: Docent, Cataloguing, and a Society of Friends who organize public events

Member Privileges

Via the Society of Friends of St. Ann's Academy, members recieve a newsletter 6 times a year, and invitations to special events

Food Services

While food is not available for purchase, the grounds offer beautiful surroundings for a picnic.

Picnic Area • Reception Facilities
Other: The Facility is available for catered rental events including indoor stand up receptions and outdoor garden and tented events

Internet Services

Collections • Events • Education • School Visits or Programs • Directions or Map • Local History • Online Giftshop or Bookstore • Other Internet Services

Local Tourism Links

Local Attractions

Other Services

A 200 seat auditorium, 150 seat chapel, parlours and several garden areas are available for rental for public and private functions.

Publications and Products

Books on the local history of the Roman Catholic faith and books published by the Sisters of St. Ann as well as the publications of the Society of Friends of St. Ann's Academy (Victoria) plus souvenir t-shirts, notecards, etc.

Annual Reports • Books • Brochures • Museum Guide • Newsletters • T-Shirts or Sweatshirts or Caps
Other: We also offer bridal accessories for wedding ceremonies

Map

Visit the Website

Location

Address:	835 Humboldt Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N8 See Map
Telephone:	(250) 953-8829
Fax:	(250) 953-8823
Mailing Address:	St. Ann's Academy 613 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N8
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