Posted on: Friday November 8, 2024
First developed in 1974 as the “Urban Gallery,” this visitor favourite has undergone some major changes over the last four years. The gallery was always meant to represent Winnipeg in 1920, when it was Canada’s third largest city. Our goal with the transformation was to introduce more real history to the gallery, populate it more thoroughly, and explore the diversity of Winnipeg’s population at the time.
Ukrainian, Black, Chinese, Métis, and Jewish historical communities are all touched upon, as well as the important events of the 1919 Strike, women’s voting rights, and immigration. New businesses are included, such as the Ukrainian Booksellers, Darbey Taxidermy shop, Foote and James Photography Studio, the Colcleaugh Pharmacy, Strathcona Restaurant, Tribune Newspaper, and A & M Hurtig Furrier. To help bring these stories alive, we’ve included four video projections, three audio stations, twelve new mannequins, and hundreds of new artifacts.
Image: The Sing Wo laundry was once located on Euclid Ave. Discover the stories of hard work and dreams of family during a period of discrimination and Chinese exclusion. ©Manitoba Museum
People love this gallery because there is so much to explore, and it’s completely immersive. That hasn’t changed! You will still discover something new (or old) around every corner.
Here are some fun things to look for the next time you visit: a bizarre bison horn inkwell; a restored version of the 1920 HBC documentary film “Romance of the Far Fur Country”; an engaging discussion about women’s voting rights between Mrs. Garvin and her maid Alma; footage of a busy Portage Avenue filled with cars, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians, but lacking any stop signs; Winnipeg Tribune grotesques (look up); and Hattie Colcleugh, one of the first female graduates from the Manitoba College of Pharmacy.
Edward Darbey’s Taxidermy shop, once located at 223 Main St., has been recreated and showcases numerous historical taxidermy specimens of the period. ©Manitoba Museum
The Hudson’s Bay Company documentary film “Romance of the Far Fur Country” was premiered at the Allen Theatre in Winnipeg in 1920 (now it’s the Met). We provide a short, edited version as an option, along with all the old Chaplin and Buster Keaton favourites. ©Manitoba Museum
Special thanks to The Manitoba Museum Foundation, the Province of Manitoba (Heritage Grant), and the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund for their support in making these exciting changes possible.
Explore Winnipeg 1920 and more at the Manitoba Museum! Click here to plan your visit today.
