Heritage Winnipeg would like to thank Linda Gregory for her generous donation of an antique map of Greater Winnipeg to our organization. The large 1926 edition of Chataway’s map, which captures Winnipeg and the surrounding communities, was updated and published by Walker, Bayne & Hyde (land surveyors and civil engineers). We are honoured to be entrusted as the stewards of this important historical document that provides rich insight into the development of our city.

Gregory’s thoughts about donating the map:

I fell in love with history at a young age. If ever had the choice to go to the future or go back to the past it would be the past.

It always intrigued me how much newcomers that came to Canada had to build and survive with so little. If it wasn’t for these hard working people with dreams of making homes and raising families where would we be today?

I feel proud of our ancestors who were so creative. Lots of lives were lost or short due to these hard times. I believe we should preserve our old buildings, stories, photos and values in order to remember where and who it all started from.

They brought over their ideas from their countries shared with each other and creating a new country with heritage from all over.

I have been into genealogy since 2004. I have traveled to all the countries that me and my husband’s families have come from. Been to all original homes and met family who still live in the original countries. How they are proud of their family members coming to Canada and survived the hardships.

I have read many letters from Canadian families on how hard it was to start a new life here. Some came for work, to become part of a new country and even some forced to come due to crimes they committed in old country. Many sad stories and exciting ones.

I worked at a Thrift store for 20 years as manager. We would receive many old photos, books, household items that came over with our newcomers.

There were items that I knew had to be kept in museums, or in archives for all to see and learn more about our countries beginning. This 1925 map was one of the items we had donated. Many items like this pass through the stores and are not thought as useful and discarded. It is very sad to see this.

I have donated this 1925 map to Heritage Winnipeg because it shows how Winnipeg was laid out and the future plans for the growth of Winnipeg. It is very unique, and I felt it was important to preserve.

It would be great if everyone was aware that they may have a part of history sitting in their homes and that it should not be thrown out but shared with all.

Thanks to places like Heritage Winnipeg, Manitoba Historical Society, and the museums across Manitoba I was able to find homes for many items.

Thank you, Gregory, for preserving this piece of history and letting us share it with Winnipeg!