Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre — Attraction in Winnipeg

I haven't been back to this museum for a couple of decades. It is the home of Hugh MacDonald, son of Sir John A MacDonald, first prime Minister of Canada. He moved to Winnipeg to avoid his father, it is said, and set up home in this custom built mansion of the time. This is definitely an upper crust abode of its day with servant's quarters and like that, but was also the epitome of house building tech of its time. It has had a storied history and was at one point heavily modified to serve as a rooming house but was rescued from demolition and restored to its original beauty by a dedicated group of volunteers in the 80s and 90s. There are lots of good stories about that and some fun history, which my family became familiar with as my daughter and mother in law worked as guides and animators there for several years. This served me well and triggered the recent visit as I was trying to describe a problem I was working on with stretching an embroidery work piece I was working on and my daughter told me of an 19th century device at the museum that had been used to stretch the lace curtains back into shape after washing. They very kindly allowed me access to the basement storage area and the "curtain stretcher " device so I could measure it and photograph it for my 21st century art work.

It is a neat place, I recommend visits at each season as they reconfigure the exhibits to give you a view into that time of Canada's youth.

As an interesting side point. While working as a guide once, my daughter kept company with Hugh McDonald's son who regaled her with tales of visiting Ottawa and his grandfather. Not everyone can say they have heard first hand stories about one of their...

We visited Dalnavert on its Open House day in September. We walked from our home in Osborne Village. There were artists selling their wares. We hadn't visited the house in over 20 years. We lived the interior, with its "day-in-the-lufe" approach. The museum is well laid out for traffic flow. Volunteers answered any questions we had. The grounds are beautiful, and the welcome center is tucked brilliantly behind the beautiful Queen Anne Style house. We had a wonderful time going back in time. It should be pointed out that Sir Hugh Jihm MacDonald was not a friend tothe Indigenous Peoples...

Visiting the Dalnavert Museum was like stepping into a beautifully preserved time capsule. This historic house, once the home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Winnipeg's elite in the late 19th century.

Dalnavert Museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Winnipeg's past. It's a charming and well-preserved piece of history that offers a unique and enriching experience.

Definitely worth a visit, especially if you're a fan of history or architecture. Consider going during off-peak hours to enjoy a more...