One year after a structural fire destroyed its visitor centre, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (UCHV) is set to reopen its gates to the public for the 2026 summer season.
Read more: Update on Alberta’s Ukrainian Village site
The provincial government announced Thursday, April 18, that the open-air museum, located 25 minutes east of Edmonton, will officially welcome visitors back on May 16, just in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.
While the April 18, 2025, fire leveled the visitor reception area, gift shop and research galleries, officials confirmed that no historic buildings were damaged. However, the blaze resulted in the loss of irreplaceable artifacts, furnishings and original research files.
“The UCHV holds a deeply meaningful place in Alberta’s history and in the hearts of the Ukrainian community,” Tanya Fir, minister of arts, culture and status of women, said in a statement. “While fire recovery continues, we are proud to reopen the Village this May.”
Temporary Facilities and Reconstruction
During the 2026 season, the Silska Domiwka (Red Barn) will serve as a temporary visitor centre. This site will house the gift shop, food services and reception area, while planning for a permanent replacement continues.
Construction on a new, permanent visitor centre is expected to begin later this year. Government officials noted many materials were preserved despite the fire, thanks to previous digitization efforts and off-site storage at the Royal Alberta Museum.
Summer Programming Returns
The reopening marks a return to full seasonal operations. Major events are back on the calendar, including:
- Field trips: Bookings are now open for May and June.
- Ukrainian Day: The site’s signature event will return on Aug. 16.
- Hours of Operation: The village will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, including holiday Mondays.
“Alberta’s government has been instrumental in supporting the restoration,” said David Makowsky, director of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village branch. “Their efforts have made it possible to welcome visitors back just a year later.”
The museum, which saw nearly 30,000 visitors during the 2024-25 season, has already begun re-integrating students into its programming. Since November 2025, approximately 1,500 students have participated in fall and winter school programs at the site.
Utility restoration and site cleanup will continue through the fall of 2026 as the province works toward a full reconstruction of the facility.
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