Superintendent's Residence (1965)

The Superintendent’s Residence, affectionately known as ‘the red brick house’, was the focal point of the Sutherland Forest Nursery Station which, from 1913 to 1965, occupied the site of Saskatoon’s Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.

The Nursery Station distributed millions of trees to prairie farmers who planted these trees on their land making up the miles of shelterbelts we see across the prairies today.

The influence and impact of this action on the settlement, landscape and prairie economy was, and is, immense. This very important part of Saskatchewan heritage has undergone an enthusiastic and extensive restoration by The Friends of the Forestry Farm House.

The Friends of the Forestry Forestry Farm House is a non-profit organization formed in 1996 to meet the challenge of saving and restoring the Superintendent’s Residence. The Friends have realized the short-term goals of securing a long-term lease for the house and are working cooperatively with the City of Saskatoon to help this house realize its potential.

The long-term goals of the FFFH have been maintaining our membership, raising the profile for this important heritage property while working to maintain the historical interpretation of the residence and grounds.

Restoration of the house has been a phenomenal success, but not without the commitment and hard work of the volunteers and support from the membership. Now, designated as a Municipal Heritage Building and recognized as a National Historic Site, the presence of the restored ‘red brick house’ will allow Saskatoon residents and visitors alike to enjoy a peek at the past that continues to shape our future.

The house and the people who lived and worked there, and the research and development of tree species on site, are just some of the information that will be highlighted in an historic interpretive area of the house. Ultimately, our long-term goals are to see the heritage building remain a valuable asset to the Forestry Farm and Park and to continue to benefit Saskatoon citizens and tourists.

Its easy to join The Friends of the Forestry Farm house as a member. Either contact us directly, or print off a copy of the membership form, fill it out and mail it in to us.

Please join us today in our quest to restore "the red brick house". The house still needs all the friends it can get!