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  • February 27, 2024

    A Hidden Dragon: The Johnstone Block

    A new moon rose in the night sky above Winnipeg on February 10th, 2024, as the Lunar New Year arrived. In some places it was the start of 15 days of festivities, ending in the Lantern Festival on February 24th. The exact date of the Lunar New Year changes every year as it is determined…

  • January 19, 2024

    The Heart Of Winnipeg: 150 Years At Portage And Main

    For the duration of 2024, Winnipeg is celebrating 150 years as a city! This exciting anniversary is a time to both look back at our history in order to understand our present, and to look forward, making good decisions for our future. We marvel at the progress we have made and the obstacles we have…

  • December 22, 2023

    Delivering The Holidays: Winnipeg’s Post Offices

    December is a special time of year when regardless of our beliefs, we slow down and connect with people we love. Many of us will go through the ritual of sending Christmas cards, recapping the happenings of the year, and include a picture or two to share with friends and family. It is a tradition…

  • 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…

  • February 27, 2024

    Winnipeg’s Built Heritage from the Eyes of George Siamandas

    Heritage Winnipeg would like to thank Susan Siamandas for her generous donation of image slides of Winnipeg’s built heritage gems that were taken by her late husband, George Siamandas. These unique points of view that appreciate the beauty of our city is a treasure. George Siamandas graduated from the University of Winnipeg for his undergraduate…

  • February 16, 2024

    Spark of Nostalgia: Winnipeg Tribune’s Matchbook Mementos

    Heritage Winnipeg would like to thank Wayne Johnson for his donation in honour of his late uncle George Townsend, former Chief Controller of the Winnipeg Tribune. These unique matchbooks and coasters were printed in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Tribune newspaper, which started in 1890, and were little souvenirs meant to be shared…

  • February 12, 2024

    Heritage Winnipeg’s Newest Publication Becomes Best Seller!

    On February 6th, 2024, there was a packed house at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location as Heritage Winnipeg officially launched its newest publication, Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell. This beautiful book produced to commemorate Winnipeg’s 150 anniversary is packed with 150 original illustrations of the city’s handsome buildings, past and present, accompanied by the…

  • February 8, 2024

    Progress at Kennedy House! Phase II Commences

    Phase II of the “Kennedy House Restoration Project” has begun! This phase will include upgrading the building to meet fire and safety codes, and is primarily focused on the main floor to ensure the public can visit the building in the future. The main floor washroom is being relocated to the den adjacent to the…

  • January 26, 2024

    A New Chapter Begins

    On January 10th, 2024, the first meeting of the North West Winnipeg Historical Society was held! This new organization is committed to shining a light on some of the history of north west Winnipeg that has otherwise been forgotten. Their mission is to to record, preserve, and promote the history of north west Winnipeg for…

  • January 5, 2024

    Thank You Heritage Supporters!

    Our gratitude goes out to all those who contributed to our 2023 December Donation Drive! On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, I would like to thank everyone for the support received. Heritage Winnipeg is now eagerly working on all of our 2024 projects and events to help celebrate the City of…

  • 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…

  • Doors Open Winnipeg 2024

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

    in 67 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.

  • 2024 Red River Heritage Fair

    Thu., May. 2, 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

    in 44 days

    The Red River Heritage Fair program encourages students to explore the history of our country in a dynamic and hands-on environment. Students from grades 4 t0 9 use the medium of their choice to recount the stories of the people, events and key moments from Canadian history. The selected projects are then presented at the 2024 Red River Heritage Fair, taking place at the University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre.

    Along with presenting their projects, at the fair the students also respond to questions from judges 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.

    Join Heritage Winnipeg at the 2024 Red River Heritage Fair as we celebrate cultural diversity, new perspectives and exciting connections between the past and present! Let’s inspire students to be passionate about Canadian history and recognize their hard work! Visit the Red River Heritage Fair website to find out how you can get involved.

  • Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell Book Signing

    Sat., Mar. 16, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    3 days ago

    Join us at our book signing!

    Heritage Winnipeg will be in Chapters at Polo Park (695 Empress Street) for a book signing celebrating our newest publication, Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell. Join Heritage Winnipeg’s President, Greg Agnew, and Robert Sweeney, the illustrator of the book, for a fun event with fellow history enthusiasts!

    Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings will be a cherished keepsake, encapsulating 150 years of triumphs, challenges and transformative moments in our city’s remarkable journey. Inside are 150 illustrations of Winnipeg’ historic buildings, past and present, with their stories highlighting the vibrant communities and diverse cultures that have shaped our city. Come reminisce about 150 years of history in Winnipeg!

  • Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell Book Signing

    Sat., Mar. 2, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    17 days ago

    Join us at our book signing!

    Heritage Winnipeg will be at Indigo in Kenaston Common (1590 Kenaston Boulevard) for a book signing celebrating our newest publication, Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell. Join Heritage Winnipeg’s President, Greg Agnew, and Robert Sweeney, the illustrator of the book, for a fun event with fellow history enthusiasts!

    Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings will be a cherished keepsake, encapsulating 150 years of triumphs, challenges and transformative moments in our city’s remarkable journey. Inside are 150 illustrations of Winnipeg’ historic buildings, past and present, with their stories highlighting the vibrant communities and diverse cultures that have shaped our city. Come reminisce about 150 years of history in Winnipeg!

  • Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell Book Launch

    Tue., Feb. 6, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    42 days ago

    Join us at our book launch!

    We are launching our newest publication on February 6, 2024, at McNally Robinson Booksellers at 4000-1120 Grant Avenue starting at 7pm. Join the Executive Director of Heritage Winnipeg, Cindy Tugwell, alongside the President of Heritage Winnipeg, Greg Agnew, and the book’s illustrator, Robert Sweeney.

    Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell serves as a cherished keepsake, encapsulating 150 years of triumphs, challenges, and transformative moments in our city’s remarkable journey. It celebrates and pays homage to the historic buildings and highlight the vibrant communities and diverse cultures that have shaped our city. 

    Alongside us, to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary, the City of Winnipeg will have a table with Winnipeg 150 memorabilia!

  • National Trust 50th Anniversary Conference 2023

    Thu., Oct. 26, 2023, - Sat., Oct. 28, 2023, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    145 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, 2023, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    173 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, 2023, - Sun., May. 28, 2023, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    297 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.

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