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  • November 17, 2023

    Ring! Ring! St. John’s Telephone Exchange Calling

    It’s 1878, Winnipeg is barely five years old. Small and young, it is a city full of ambition and confidence, ready to make its mark. The first railway connecting Winnipeg to the wider world will be completed by the end of the year, and the course is set. The city grew from only 1,869 inhabitants…

  • September 22, 2023

    Hardened By Fire: 104 & 108 Princess Street

    At the corner of Princess Street and Bannatyne Avenue sits two buildings with an intriguing history… or is it one building? From the back, they now appear to be one modern building, but from the front, one half is from the 19th century while the other half is very much from the 21st century. Standing…

  • August 15, 2023

    There is a Happyland, Far, Far, Away

    It was the kind of place that dreams are made of, where the imaginary is brought to life. Thrilling rides, electrifying performances, the latest in entertainment technology, spectacles from around the world – past and present – that all could be found in Winnipeg’s wondrous Happyland. It was an ambitious amusement park that shone brightly…

  • July 13, 2023

    Building Futures: The Finnie and Murray Block

    On the western edge of the Exchange District sits a handsome red brick warehouse, built at the height of Winnipeg’s early 20th century prosperity. While the exterior of the Finnie and Murray Block is nearly unaltered since it was constructed over 110 years ago, inside the changes have been dramatic, telling the story of a…

  • April 21, 2023

    Making A Splash: The Pan Am Pool

    Nothing brings communities together more than a grand event, especially a sporting event. Everyone gets together to paint their faces, wear their team gear and cheer on their favourites in hopes that they will bring home the trophy! Although Winnipeg’s population is smaller than many other cities, it has big sporting ambitions. From hockey and…

  • March 21, 2023

    One Company, Four Historic Buildings: The Great-West Life Assurance Company

    Insurance helps protect you and your loved ones in many different ways. Can you imagine a time before insurance? Probably not considering it has been around since the late 1800s! As Winnipeg has grown, the Great-West Life Assurance Company has grown with it. It has occupied three heritage buildings in Winnipeg: 177 Lombard Avenue, 60-80…

  • February 16, 2023

    Part Two: Sound The Alarm! Winnipeg’s Heritage Is Burning Down

    Why is Winnipeg’s heritage burning down? This is not a new problem, from its earliest days, fire has been the demise of many buildings in Winnipeg – sometimes in spectacular fashion, sometimes with tragic consequences. In the first part of this blog, published last month, we looked back at some memorable historic fires in Winnipeg…

  • January 26, 2023

    Part One: Sound The Alarm! Winnipeg’s Heritage Is Burning Down

    Ever since Winnipeg started building up, fires have been burning the city down. Some fires are small, with the structure quickly rebuilt even grander than before, while some fires are huge, leaving a gap in the streetscape that persists for a century or more. And some fires are tragic, far worse than just a building…

  • November 28, 2023

    Heritage Winnipeg’s 2023 December Donation Drive

    As a charitable organization, Heritage Winnipeg is asking for your help to support our efforts to protect and conserve our city’s irreplaceable built heritage. Your contribution to our 2023 December Donation Drive is an investment in the future of all Winnipeggers, helping conserve the heritage in the city we all love and call home! This…

  • October 30, 2023

    Call for Nominations! The 38th Annual Preservation Awards

    Do you know a person, organization or building project that went above and beyond in the conservation and advancement of Winnipeg’s built heritage in 2023? Nominate them for Heritage Winnipeg’s 38th Annual Preservation Awards! Awards are presented in three categories: Heritage Conservation, Distinguished Service and Youth. They recognize building owners, professionals, organizations and individuals that…

  • September 29, 2023

    Progress in Pictures: The Downtown HBC Building

    Heritage Winnipeg’s Executive Director, Cindy Tugwell, and President, Greg Agnew, were pleased to receive a special invitation by the Southern Chiefs Organization to a behind the scenes tour of the downtown Hudson’s Bay Company Building at 450 Portage Avenue. It was very rewarding to witness first hand what progress is being made on this massive…

  • September 28, 2023

    Meet the Student: Maples Met School

    Heritage Winnipeg is excited to have a student intern from the Maples Met School for the 2023-2024 school year. We believe that engaging with youth in a thought provoking manner will unveil new perspectives on built heritage issues and foster the next generation of advocates. Meet our student intern: Hello, my name is Nina and…

  • September 4, 2023

    Millennium Centre Denied Critical Capital Funding

    On behalf of 389 Main Street Heritage Corporation, Heritage Winnipeg was “very disappointed” to receive news in August that our beautiful historic Millennium Centre at 389 Main Street did not receive ANY redevelopment funding in the last and final intake for the provincial Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund for large capital projects. With…

  • August 31, 2023

    Westminster United Church Update

    Structural problems in the roof of Westminster United Church at 745 Westminster Avenue caused the 1912 building to be temporarily closed at the end of November 2022. As of now, the church has been able to continue functioning while the sanctuary is closed, with services being held in the lecture hall. Unfortunately, the lecture hall…

  • August 28, 2023

    You Could Own A Piece of History! Shards for Sale

    Are you looking for something unique for your home or yard? How about a part of Winnipeg history? An artefact of the past! Then we have something for you, an opportunity to own a piece of history. Heritage Winnipeg is selling shards from the Winnipeg Theatre and the Thomson and Pope Building. Shards are architectural…

  • July 26, 2023

    Celebrating the Life of Tony Eshmade

    Sadly, on Monday, July 24th, 2023, Tony Eshmade passed away. Tony was a very dear friend of Heritage Winnipeg for several decades, a passionate supporter of Winnipeg’s built heritage in both his personal and professional life. Ever charitable with his time and expertise, he was always willing to help when needed. The impact he leaves…

  • Doors Open Winnipeg 2024

    Sat., May. 25, 2024, - Sun., May. 26, 2024, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    in 177 days

    Celebrating the stories our buildings tell!

    Held annually on the last weekend of May, Doors Open Winnipeg is a FREE city-wide celebration of Winnipeg’s distinct spaces, outstanding architecture and vibrant history. We encourage everyone to explore Winnipeg’s past at unique events and tours located throughout the city. Since 2004, over 300,000 visitors and countless volunteers have made Doors Open Winnipeg one of the city’s essential spring events.

    Don’t miss out on this event as we celebrate Winnipeg’s 150th Anniversary and its fascinating history alongside the amazing built heritage treasures, cultural institutions and historic streetscapes!

    Please visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website to learn more about this event.

  • National Trust 50th Anniversary Conference 2023

    Thu., Oct. 26, - Sat., Oct. 28, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    35 days ago

    The Château Laurier

    1 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario

    The National Trust Conference (with Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals & Indigenous Heritage Circle) is Canada’s largest heritage learning & networking event. Each year, the conference brings together 500+ participants from a rich diversity of backgrounds – from professionals (emerging and established), craftspeople and advocates, to developers, planners, heritage site operators, academics, students, and volunteers – from across Canada, and beyond. This vibrant annual gathering features challenging and inspiring case studies and lessons from heritage practice, communities, and industry, along with productive debate and goal-setting discussions.

    National Trust 50th Anniversary Conference 2023

    Transforming Heritage

    The National Trust Conference will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in Ottawa with heritage volunteers, policymakers, and professionals from across Canada. This year’s theme, Transforming Heritage, will explore the changing heritage movement as it adapts to better serve society. The conference will have three tracks: social-cultural reset, environmental reset and economic reset. See how heritage is a social and economic force, debate sensitive additions to historic places and heritage districts, be empowered through heritage advocacy sessions and engage in partnership lessons for better protecting Indigenous heritage. Meet your peers from across Canada, and perhaps your next employer or project collaborator. You will not want to miss the 50th anniversary of this important event!

  • Heritage Winnipeg’s 2023 Annual General Meeting

    Thu., Sep. 28, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    63 days ago

    Millennium Centre

    389 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Heritage Winnipeg
    cordially invites you to attend our
    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    Thursday, September 28th, 2023
    6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

    Millennium Centre · 389 Main Street
    DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 PM
    free street parking starts at 5:30 pm

    keynote presentation
    MATT COHEN: GHOST SIGNS

    Have you ever noticed the fading signs high up on the sides of buildings in the Exchange District, showcasing everything from ham to window cleaner? Starting in the 1880s, businesses would commission these giant hand painted advertisements, which used bricks as their canvas. Over the past century or more, the images have been added to, painted over and left to fend for themselves against the weather, resulting in the faded impressions of Winnipeg’s past that are now called ghost signs. Matt Cohen, a ghost sign enthusiast and award winning tour guide, has been documenting and celebrating Winnipeg’s ghost signs since 2013. Come learn about the fascinating ghost signs found throughout this historic neighbourhood, and Matt’s latest project, Winnipeg’s second permanent ghost sign light installation produced in collaboration with light artist Craig Winslow. First illuminated during Nuit Blanche Winnipeg 2023, the Porter-Milday Ghost Sign will be projected onto the 1906 Porter Building at 165 McDermont Avenue, displaying advertisements for both Porter and Company (a household goods retailer) and the Galpern Candy Manufacturers’ Milady Chocolates brand. It is sure to be a spirited presentation that you will not want to miss!

  • Doors Open Winnipeg 2023

    Sat., May. 27, - Sun., May. 28, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    187 days ago

    Celebrating the stories our buildings tell!

    Held annually on the last weekend of May, Doors Open Winnipeg is a FREE city-wide celebration of Winnipeg’s distinct spaces, outstanding architecture and vibrant history. Each year, visitors are encouraged to explore Winnipeg’s past at unique events and tours located throughout the city. Since 2004, over 300,000 visitors and countless volunteers have made Doors Open Winnipeg one of the city’s essential spring events.

    Don’t miss our 20th anniversary of the event as we celebrate Winnipeg’s amazing built heritage treasures, cultural institutions and historic streetscapes!

    Please visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website to learn more about this event.

  • 2023 Red River Heritage Fair

    Thu., May. 4, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    210 days ago

    Duckworth Centre

    400 Spence Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    The Red River Heritage Fair is celebrating 30 years!

    The Heritage Fair program encourages students to explore the history of our country in a dynamic and hands-on environment. Students use the medium of their choice to recount the stories of the people, events, familial events and key moments from Canadian history and present their research in a public exposition at their school.

    The best projects from schools are invited to showcase their work at the Red River Heritage Fair. The students present their research, respond to questions from judges, and discuss and share their project with fellow students, parents, teachers, and community members.

    But it is much more exciting than that; students participate in interactive workshops, join in a scavenger hunt, meet others students and share their history projects thus creating a fast-paced history learning day.

    Workshops are designed for students and provided by local museums, historical societies or organizations promoting Canadian history and heritage.

  • Virus: Making & Breaking the Pandemic

    Fri., Mar. 24, - Fri., Mar. 31, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    251 days ago

    Millennium Centre

    389 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    During the past century, Winnipeg has confronted two different pandemics with remarkably similar features – the Spanish Influenza of 1918 and COVID-19 of 2020. These outbreaks both involved quarantines, lockdowns and multiple waves of infection. Protests and misinformation stoked public fears as governments struggled to contain the spread. Health professionals, front line workers and volunteers fought to save lives and local businesses. What was our community’s response in perilous times? Will we be better prepared if another pandemic hits? Come explore these questions at our FREE interactive exhibit!

     

    EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
    March 24 · Friday · 1:00pm to 7:00pm
    March 25 · Saturday · 11:00am to 4:00pm
    March 26 · Sunday · 11:00am to 4:00pm
    March 27 · Monday · 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    March 28 · Tuesday · 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    March 29 · Wednesday · 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    March 30 · Thursday · 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    March 31 · Friday · 12:00pm to 5:00pm

     

    This project was created in partnership with Pattern Interactive and made possible thanks to funding from Canadian Heritage and support from the Winnipeg Free Press.

  • Heritage Winnipeg’s 37th Annual Preservation Awards

    Wed., Mar. 22, 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm

    253 days ago

    Millennium Centre

    389 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Heritage Winnipeg cordially invites you to our

    37th Annual Preservation Awards

    Recognizing the people and building projects dedicated to the conservation of Winnipeg’s built heritage!

    Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
    Millennium Centre
    389 Main Street

    Doors open at 5:15 pm
    Free street parking starts at 5:30 pm
    Ceremony commences at 5:45 pm
    Light reception at 6:45 pm

    A FREE public event!

     

    For more information, please contact Heritage Winnipeg at info@heritagewinnipeg.com or 204-942-2663

  • Heritage Lecture: Who is Heritage Winnipeg. Why our Built Heritage is Important.

    Mon., Mar. 6, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    269 days ago

    Charleswood Seniors Centre

    5006 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Join the Charleswood Historical Society for its Heritage Lecture Series featuring Cindy Tugwell, Executive Director of Heritage Winnipeg, who will be presenting “Who is Heritage Winnipeg. Why our Built Heritage is Important.”

    Learn about Heritage Winnipeg’s origin story, the exciting projects we are currently working on and the great plans we have for the future! Get an insider’s perspective on the recent advocacy effort that resulted in the 1923 International Order of Odd Fellows Home at 4025 Roblin Boulevard being protected by a heritage designation while stopping the insensitive redevelopment proposed for the property. As the primary organizations working to save Winnipeg’s built heritage, it is a never ending, always interesting and sometimes heart wrenching task that requires making good decisions today to save our past for a brighter tomorrow!

    All Welcome
    Wheelchair Accessible
    Refreshments Served
    Silver Collection

    Additional parking can be found at the back of the building, just off Harstone Road.

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