Jean E. Murray, Professor of History, holding a shovel and turning the sod for the Murray Library; a semi circle of people are gathered around. Chemistry (Thorvaldson) Building in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Though the first recorded withdrawal from the University Library occurred in October 1909, nearly five decades passed before the Library had its own building. The early collection was housed either on the second floor of the College Building (later known as the Administration Building) or was scattered among a number of small departmental libraries. Plans for a new library building in the late 1920s were ended by the start of the Great Depression; but a dramatically reduced acquisitions budget was offset by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation in 1933. In 1943 the University hired its first professional Librarian. A combination of provincial grants and University fundraising financed the construction of the Murray Memorial Library. The library was named after the University’s first President, Walter C. Murray. Designed by noted Regina architect Kioshi Izumi working under H.K. Black, Architect, it marked a change in campus architecture away from the more angular and elaborate Collegiate Gothic style to that of the less expensive cube. Building materials included granite at the entrance and Tyndall stone as a wall cladding and window trim. In addition to the library, the building housed the College of Law, an office of the Provincial Archives and a 105-seat lecture theatre equipped with the latest in audiovisual teaching aids. The most dramatic transformation took place between 1970 and 1976 when a six floor south wing was added along with an extensive renovation of the 1956 structure. Designed by BLM, Regina, the south wing was unlike any other building on campus. Clad in Tyndall stone panels made to look like concrete (through a "bush hammered" finish), the grey almost windowless building is industrial and utilitarian in appearance. The University's master plan required buildings in the core of campus to be clad in stone. However, the "bush hammered" finish was used since the Library addition was built during a period that saw the flowering of "Brutalist" Architecture, so called because of the wide use of exposed concrete. The new (south) wing, originally called the Main Library, was officially opened on 17 May 1974, and also became the home of the Department of Art and Art History, the College of Graduate Studies and the University Archives.

Looking northeast at Chemistry Building.

Bio/historical note: One of a series of seven photos featuring various aspects of the city of Saskatoon.

Looking east at Chemistry Building.

A 21' x 6' mural by Helga Palko, artist.. Mounted in addition to Thorvaldson Building.

Bio/Historical Note: Helga (or Helen) Palko, born in Austria in 1928, received her MA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. In 1954 she arrived in Canada and a year later was awarded a scholarship at the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, where she studied enamelling and silver-smithing in 1955-1956. Palko became experienced with several techniques such as cloisonne, painted enamel and champleve - a technique considered to be the finest in craftsmanship. Palko displayed as much variety in her work as in her methods. Aside from enamel dishes, she produced plaques, jewellery, ecclesiastical arts and murals. Two of these murals are located in Saskatchewan; one in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lumsden, and the other in the Thorvaldson Building at the University of Saskatchewan. Palko exhibited both inside and outside of Canada: the first National Competitive Woodcarving and Metal Work, "The Brussels International and Universal Exhibition," the XXI Ceramic national, Jewellery 1963 International Exhibition in New York, Expo 67, and Ontario Craftsmen 67, to mention a few. Palko also participated in several exhibitions organized by the National Gallery of Canada: the First National Fine Crafts Exhibition (1957), the Canadian National Exhibition (1962), where she was awarded the special prize for enamel, and the Canadian Fine Crafts (1966-1967). Palko received the Award of Excellence at the Canadian Design 67 Exhibition. Palko died in 2006 in Brockville, Ontario.

Unidentified man walks on pathway in front of Thorvaldson Building.

Looking north at Thorvaldson Building; cars parked in front.

Official opening of the new addition to the Thorvaldson Building.

Bio/Historical Note: The Chemistry Building was enlarged with an addition and was renamed in honour of Dr. Thorbergur Thorvaldson, professor and dean of Chemistry from 1919-1959. The Thorvaldson Building opened on 6 June 1966. Architect John B. Parkin’s modern design continued with exterior stone cladding. The near windowless, stone three-storey addition provided classrooms, undergraduate and research laboratories, offices, a library and service facilities.

Elevated view looking east at construction on the Thorvaldson Building; campus buildings in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The Chemistry Building was enlarged with an addition and was renamed in honour of Dr. Thorbergur Thorvaldson, professor and dean of Chemistry from 1919-1959. The Thorvaldson Building opened on 6 June 1966. Architect John B. Parkin’s modern design continued with exterior stone cladding. The near windowless, stone three-storey addition provided classrooms, undergraduate and research laboratories, offices, a library and service facilities.

Life sciences research in the Thorvaldson Lab; person sitting at far end of work station.

Elevated view of foundations of Thorvaldson Building being laid.

Bio/Historical Note: The Chemistry Building was enlarged with an addition and was renamed in honour of Dr. Thorbergur Thorvaldson, professor and dean of Chemistry from 1919-1959. The Thorvaldson Building opened on 6 June 1966. Architect John B. Parkin’s modern design continued with exterior stone cladding. The near windowless, stone three-storey addition provided classrooms, undergraduate and research laboratories, offices, a library and service facilities.