Winnipeg MB (April 7, 2021): Tomorrow, the Manitoba Museum opens its new Prairies Gallery, marking the completion of the $20.5 million Bringing Our Stories Forward Capital Renewal Project. Over the past four years, this Project has seen the renewal of the Nonsuch Gallery, Boreal Forest Corridor, and Welcome Gallery, and the creation of a new Winnipeg Gallery, and now, the Prairies Gallery.
The new Prairies Gallery reveals a deep and layered view of history through geological time, exploring human connections to the land, with an eye to the future. The plants, animals and fungi of the prairies – superbly adapted to the unique challenges of their environment – are showcased. Visitors will gain a greater understanding of Manitoba’s smallest and most densely populated biome’s past, biodiversity, and stunning landscapes.
“We’re thrilled to be able to invite Manitobans and the world back to the Museum and to see the province portrayed in new and engaging ways. We know visitors will be amazed by the profound changes throughout the Museum,” says Willow Krauchi, Director of Marketing, Sales and Programs.
The Prairies Gallery features new immersive exhibits. “Society and technology are moving forward at a tremendous pace. We wanted to enrich our visitors’ experiences with engaging multi-media environments and other state-of-the-art techniques to educate, enthrall, and entertain. Video interactives tell stories about real communities in Manitoba, and feature people who live and work in the region. In this gallery, you can watch and listen to the flurry of birds at Whitewater Lake; examine layers of history in an eroding riverbank; and walk into an old-fashioned schoolhouse.,” says Kevin Brownlee, Curator of Archaeology. While Brownlee was the Content Lead of this final phase of the Renewal Project, all seven Museum Curators, the Collections and Conservation team, and many other Staff members worked with local communities and international experts to realize this impressive space.
“We are so grateful for the guidance of the Museum Indigenous Advisory Circle, the Museum Community Engagement Team of Newcomers to Manitoba, and so many diverse community representatives and scientific partners,” added Seema Hollenberg, Chair of the Bringing Our Stories Forward Renewal Project and Director of Research, Collections & Exhibitions. “Their contribution has enabled us to enrich the historical and contemporary stories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and the legacy, experience, and impact of colonialism, Treaties, immigration, and settlement on Manitoba society and ecology, and its changing landscape due to trade, agriculture, and climate change. With the completion of the Prairies Gallery we now able to share many more important stories of this incredible province and its defining landscape and people.”
The Manitoba Museum thanks all the donors to the Bringing Our Stories Forward Capital & Endowment Campaign for their help in continuing the legacy of providing awe-inspiring experiences of Manitoba’s diverse human history and natural sciences.
The Manitoba Museum is open Thursday to Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm. The Museum Galleries are open; however, due to public health orders, the Planetarium and Science Gallery remain closed.
-30-
