Named after William Morrison MacKay, a surgeon for the Hudson's Bay Company and the first medical doctor in northwest Canada. In 1874, he married Jane Flett (1857-1947) who acted as his interpreter and nurse until they retired to Edmonton in 1898. The Town of Edmonton honoured MacKay by naming McKay Avenue (now 99 Avenue) after him. His name was incorrectly spelled and this error was perpetuated in the naming of the McKay Avenue School. In 1982 the school was refurbished and the Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum operates in the building.

Located in the historic McKay Avenue School following the restoration in 1987.