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September 22, 2026
New Memorial Garden Honours the Legacy of Sleeping Car Porters in Winnipeg
On September 18, 2026, the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Order of Sleeping Car Porters Memorial Garden at 799 Main Street, creating a public place of remembrance for Black Canadian history in Manitoba and the legacy of the sleeping car porters.
Founded in Winnipeg in 1917, the Order of Sleeping Car Porters (OSCP) became the first Black labour union in North America. Sleeping car porters provided service aboard railway trains across Canada and the United States while facing discrimination and unequal working conditions.
A close-up of the OSCP Memorial plaque. September 21, 2026. Source: Heritage Winnipeg
Right next to the memorial stands the Craig Block at 793 –795 Main Street. In 1922, the OSCP established offices and a meeting hall on its second floor. The building became an important gathering place for Winnipeg’s Black community, housing Black organizations and businesses and providing rehearsal space for the Railway Porters’ Band.
Through their courage and resilience, the porters helped advance labour rights, civil rights, and opportunities for Black Canadians.
Heritage Winnipeg is proud to recognize and share this important part of our history.
The OSCP Memorial Garden, September 21, 2026. Source: Heritage Winnipeg
Featured Image: The OSCP Memorial, September 21, 2026. Source: Heritage Winnipeg
