The Winnipeg Gallery at the Manitoba Museum is now open. (IAN MCCAUSLAND PHOTO)
A new gallery dedicated entirely to the history of Winnipeg opens at the Manitoba Museum today.
The Winnipeg Gallery is the museum’s first permanent exhibit since 2003 and dives into the city’s rich history, including Indigenous culture and 150 years of immigration.
“How do you talk about the history of a city? Every city has its own unique character, with its specific neighbourhoods, its iconic institutions, perhaps some beloved buildings and street corners, its tragedies,” said Dr. Roland Sawatzky, curator of history and lead content developer for the gallery.
“Every city has a few special events in its history that have gone on to shape it, and maybe even the country. But, what gives a city its meaning, what’s truly interesting, are the people who live there.”
The Winnipeg Gallery is the first permanent exhibition space at the Manitoba Museum since 2003. (IAN MCCAUSLAND PHOTO)
The gallery is made of up more than 100 artifacts not previously seen by the public to provide an exciting new museum experience. Visitors can expect to see the history of the Eaton’s Building, Winnipeg as an Indigenous homeland, a city of newcomers and celebrations.
Video and audio areas provide personal stories of those who have moved to the city, while a state-of-the-art touch screen table shows how the city has changed over time by exploring digital maps, pinning locations, and even releasing virtual floodwaters and a plague of locusts. A Personalities Wall showcases 30 individuals in Winnipeg, who are part of the city’s history and the fabric of our community.
The Manitoba Museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
