Rutherford Cottage

525 Buffalo Street

Attracted by a generous stand of trees, Alexander Cameron Rutherford leased a small Banff lot from the National Park in 1902. In 1908 he commissioned J. Luckett to build a summer cottage.

Mr. Rutherford, the first Premier of Alberta, revered trees, so much so he refused to cut down a living tree. Each Christmas his family would instead decorate a large cactus that otherwise lived in an unused corner of their year-round Edmonton home. Both Alexander and his wife, Mattie (nee Birkett) were avid horticulturists.

The Rutherford’s “home south” became a haven for them. Banff, a refreshing distance from the provincial capital, also became a destination for Alexander and Mattie’s many friends. Mattie was an excellent cook and hostess, known for her warm hospitality. The family was generous with the Cottage, often lending it to University of Alberta faculty, outspoken authors and courageous change-makers.

The Rutherfords introduced their many University guests to Banff’s possibilities as a unique place to learn. Attending plays staged by Margaret Greenham’s Mountain School students clearly inspired them; drama was the first course offered when the University of Alberta’s Extension School opened the Banff Centre.

Eventually, as they got older, the Rutherfords sold their beloved Banff cottage. One family, the Rileys, owned it for 95 years! We are thankful they kept the structure and character-defining features of the building relatively intact. This was a key factor driving Bowstrings’ 2021 acquisition.

Of particular architectural interest is the generous veranda. It is easy to imagine the many conversations that took place here, the ideas that were born and debated while watching the Bow River flow by.

Thanks to a team of dedicated people, Bowstrings has newly animated Rutherford Cottage. The story of its restoration is as practical as it is inspirational. It is again a place where creators, thinkers, visitors and guests can meet and muse on the natural and cultural history of Banff.

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