Land Titles Building (Moose Jaw)

The restoration of the Land Titles building and the change to its current use as The Yvette Moore Gallery began in January 1999, when Yvette Moore and an army of family and friends began the work with a scheduled completion of March 26, 1999. The task at hand was great, but the dedication and hard work was even greater. The project consisted of plaster repair using over 2500 lbs. of plaster; removing the original flooring; and refinishing as much of the original furnishings to be used as part of the décor. The hard work was not without its fascinating surprises. Thirty gallons of paint stripper uncovered the copper doors and window frames that have been a staple in the Gallery's unique décor and allure. The colour scheme was derived from the original plaster on the ceilings, which dated back to 1922, but had been hidden beneath suspended ceilings for the last fifty years. The chandeliers in the main Gallery are not originals, but are reproductions of the copper fixtures that closely match the décor. All elements of décor were chosen carefully to mimic the original look and feel of the era in which the building was designed. The School House light fixtures in the buildings' addition are close replicas of the original fixtures in the building's addition are close replicas of fixtures common to the era. The furnishings include some of the original steel cabinets, dating back to the early 1900s. The countertops still have the genuine fireproof battleship linoleum that is part of the original construction of the building over a century ago.