The Manitoba Historical Society has announced its 2026 Top Ten Endangered Historical Structures list, bringing attention to some of Manitoba’s most significant heritage sites at risk. Published on June 23rd, the annual list aims to bring awareness to historic buildings and sites facing uncertain futures or are in need of better preservation efforts.

Among this year’s list is the Upper Fort Garry Gate, one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable landmarks. Built around 1853, the gate is the only remaining above-ground portion of Upper Fort Garry. The gate was an extension to the Hudson’s Bay Company fort that served as the commercial and administrative centre of the Red River Settlement, as it was closely connected to the fur trade. The gate also plays a defining role in Manitoba’s political history, as the site of the establishment of Louis Riel’s provisional government during the Red River Resistance of 1869–70.

The Upper Fort Garry Gate on June 26, 2026.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The gate itself has survived due to generations of advocacy beginning with Manitoba Historical Society campaigns in the late nineteenth century that prevented its demolition. Later, Heritage Winnipeg proudly supported the creation of the Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park, helping the once isolated landmark become an accessible public space where visitors can immerse themselves in Manitoba’s early history. In recent years, fire, graffiti, and other forms of damage threaten the structure.

Other Winnipeg sites include the Manitoba Air Photo Library at 14 Fultz Boulevard, which contains over one million aerial images documenting the province’s landscape and development since the 1920s. Its future is uncertain following the closure of its map sales office, alongside concerns about long-term preservation of physical photographs and public access.

Also included is the multi-family housing complex at 738 Nassau Street South. Designed in the mid-1970s by renowned architect Gustavo Da Roza, this modernist public housing project is an important part of Canadian architectural and social history. Yet, it faces potential demolition despite its thoughtful design and ongoing use.

“The Wall” art installation beneath Portage Avenue and Main Street is the final Winnipeg location on the list. Created by Manitoba artist Bruce Head in the late 1970s, this large-scale concrete relief sculpture forms part of the underground concourse and may be at risk as the City considers changes to the space. While digital preservation efforts are underway, the future of the physical artwork is precarious.

Each year, the Manitoba Historical Society’s endangered structures list reminds us that heritage conservation is an ongoing effort. While many of these places have survived for generations, their future depends on public awareness. Heritage Winnipeg commends the Manitoba Historical Society for continuing to advocate for the preservation of these historical sites and for encouraging the public to learn more about the stories they tell.

Featured Image: The Upper Fort Garry Gate (1920s) with a streetcar in the background.
Source: City of Winnipeg Archives Photograph collection (cropped, public domain).