After spending more than a decade in an inadequate facility, the City of Winnipeg Archives will now be going back to the former Carnegie Library at 380 William Avenue! Heritage Winnipeg along with many other heritage advocates spent years to ensure that the archives returned home. In 2023, as part of the City of Winnipeg’s 150, Mayor Scott Gillingham announced $12.7 million in the capital budget for the rehabilitation work on this historic 1905 building.

The space will be converted into a state-of-the-art archival facility along with a private viewing room for more sensitive documents. The project is finally moving forward with work anticipated to start this fall. Executive Director Cindy Tugwell, along with others from the community, recently had the opportunity to tour the building. Heritage Winnipeg is thrilled to see that the archives are going back home, to protect and showcase our city’s important history, and our beautiful built heritage!

While the building undergoes construction, and in celebration of Winnipeg’s 150, the archives has been touring to different libraries and public spaces, giving each neighbourhood a chance to experience the city’s history. To find out where you can see the archives this summer, visit the City of Winnipeg website.

Click through the slides below to see images of the Carnegie Library taken May 16th, 2024.

Updates:

January 15th, 2025: “Update: Winnipeg Archives Project at 380 William Street”

Past articles on 380 William Avenue:

November 12th, 2021: “City of Winnipeg Archives One Step Closer to Returning Home”