Dalnavert
61 Carlton Street

Sir Hugh John Macdonald, the only surviving son of Canada's first prime minister, built this grand home on Calton Street for his family in 1895. Hugh John enlisted in the First Ontario Rifles, was made a partner in his father's law firm and fought the Metis insurgents in 1885. In 1890, he was rewarded the honour of Queen's Counsel and was later declared leader of the Conservative Party in Manitoba. Perhaps the incident best showing Hugh John's impact on Winnipeg was an event given in his honour- a public celebration of his 75th birthday in March, 1925.

When it was constructed, Dalnavert on Carlton was in Winnipeg's foremost residential districts, the old Hudson's Bay Reserve. The homes were grand and elegant and the accompanying atmosphere was subdued and elegant. After 1929, Dalnavert became a rooming house and by 1970, was intervened and purchased by the Manitoba Historical Society for restoration purposes.
Dalnavert was designed by architect Charles Wheeler, a classicist of considerable renown in the prairies, and constructed by contractor S. B. Ritchie. He is best known for his design of the Holy Trinity Church on Donald Street and his designs of the Sanford warehouse and the D. Lennon House.

The Macdonald house was an admirable choice for restoration. Its architectural style is beautiful and distinctive; Sir Hugh John Macdonald was certainly a figure of national and local significance and the house is a reminder of the old upper class housing in downtown Winnipeg in the 1890's.