Save the Old RAM group put hearts on the Old Royal Alberta Museum

Fences surrounded the former Royal Alberta Museum with signs of no trespassing, the Alberta government announced last August the plan to demolish the historic building.

While some people give flowers, chocolate, and heart cards to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day, a group of architects, authors, and historians are showing love to the old Royal Alberta Museum here in Edmonton’s Glenora neighbourhood.

More than 30 people joined in to put a heart card to express their love and support for the old museum.

Some locals CityNews spoke with Friday shared why they hope to save the historic building.

“Oh my god, I have so many good memories, my boys absolutely loved it, they’re now 38, 36, and 31. But we used to come here on a regular basis almost every Sunday and they loved everything,” Leila Mansour explained.

Christine Pearce saying, “We come here on a warm sunny or in the middle of winter. And if it was sunny, we go into the museum and they loved it – they loved all the displays, and I just felt they learn so much from the displays.”

Lewis Cardinal adding, “I came here as my first museum and to see the story of Indigenous people being held in here really helped me to connect deeply and to be elevated as an Indigenous person.”

Over 200 cards were placed around the fence, part of a protest organized by the Save the Old RAM taskforce.

“We even got a heart from a woman in England. So she heard about it and emailed us and asked us to please put a heart up for her,” said Stuart Adams, interim chair of the Save the Old RAM taskforce.

Last week, a spokesperson for Alberta’s Infrastructure Ministry confirmed to CityNews the province remains committed to re-developing the site into a family-friendly park.

Noting it would cost $200 million to bring the over 60-year-old building up to code for redevelopment.

Still, those attending the ‘heart bomb’ event shared their amazement at the architecture of the Old RAM calling it a historical treasure.

“The petroglyphs on the exterior by Luke Lindle are fabulous and fascinating,” said Adams.

Adriana Davies, a heritage consultant and historian adds, “You could imagine the royal family has all these heritage properties and represents tradition. So she really was touched by that museum and loved it and so then the royal designation of course came out of that.”

Alberta has not confirmed a date for the demolition of the building, but those here Friday, hope there is time to change their minds.

“Would be wonderful to preserve it. I am hoping that you’re listening to me, listening to all of us that you really care about Edmonton. Please do not tear this beautiful building down,” pleaded Mansour.