Legislature gifted with historic status on centennial

The centennial of the Alberta Legislature building Sunday was celebrated with a re-enactment of its opening marked by the same cold, wet weather seen on the day 100 years ago.

"When this building was built, there were log cabins out there. You could see land as far as the eye could see," Premier Alison Redford told the gathered crowd.

"I dont think, at that time, that people quite had a sense of what Alberta was going to become."

Redford announced that the iconic building, as well as parts of the south lawn, have been designated a provincial historic resource. The designation means that repairs and changes to the building cannot be made without permission from the Minister of Culture.

"That means for the future, they will be protected," Redford said.

Actors played the roles of politicians and dignitaries for the re-enactment Legislatures opening, which took place Sept. 3, 1912.

Construction on the building started in 1909 and finished afterfive years, at a cost of approximately $2.4 million.

The opening of a 100-year-old time capsulea copper box packed with newspapers clippings, coins and letters was somewhat marred when it was discovered that water had leaked into the container, damaging some of the contents.

They included the original blueprints for the building as well as a sheepskin scroll that was deemed too damaged to open right away.

Still, hundreds of people gathered around, fascinated to see what had survived the century.

"It's exciting," said Lea Nicoll-Kramer. "Its a little piece of whats going on in our lives."

Organizers are now taking ideas for another time capsule to be opened for the next century's celebrations.