The Founder’s Gallery is host to exhibits of early residents that shaped St. Vital. People like Louis Riel and André Nault formed the provisional government in 1870…and Victor Mager who was elected Reeve of the municipality of St. Vital in 1882. So many memorable families contributed to St. Vital’s history and we display several of them here in The Founders Gallery.
A feature wall when you enter the museum is home to some famous St. Vital residents. From the field of science highlighted by a Nobel Prize winner in physics… James Peebles, to notable success stories in arts and entertainment such as Nia Vardalos from Greek Wedding fame, “Our Pet” Juliette, Vic Wyatt, and so many more. This Wall of Fame is captivating.
The history of music from St. Vital musicians is truly remarkable. Lenny Breau lived on Poplarwood Avenue growing up and his talents have been admired by a lot of very notable musicians such as Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings and Ray St. Germain.
And yes, our museum recognizes a member of the Guess Who, bass player Jim Kale, who attended Glenlawn Collegiate. Guess Who gold and platinum records adorn our walls.
There must have been something special in the water on St. Michael’s Road in St. Vital as so many gifted musicians lived on that one street. Country musicians such as Andy Dejarlais, the Metis Fiddler, and Ray St. Germain who claimed fame nation-wide initially as Winnipeg’s Elvis and later returning to his Metis roots and hosting a national television broadcast.
The McDougall family also lived on St. Michael’s Rd. Father Colin was a fiddler with Colin McDougall & the Seine River Boys while son, Bill, played the drums for the Seine River Boys and the Ray St. Germaine Trio as well as Sticks and Strings featuring Chad Allen. Donny McDougall played for the Guess Who and Robbie McDougall gained fame as a classical pianist & composer…an amazing musical family.
There are a lot more musicians featured at the museum…come and check them out!
Sports plays a pivotal role in the history of any civilization. St. Vital history is no different. We feature World Curling champions like Jennifer Jones and her teams, as well as Colleen Laliberte and her teams. We have Stanley Cup Champions, Olympic athletes, Canadian champions in various sports and a host of other successful athletes.
The sports displays feature many historic trophies and other hardware. Constant changes are being displayed in this area including recognition of local schools and community clubs.
One of our most cherished artifacts is our 1939 Pumper Truck. This exact truck was used in St. Vital for decades. Thanks to the work of some dedicated volunteers over a period of years, this truck is operational and can be driven to special events. This is our number one picture-taking destination in the museum and a highlight for visitors of all ages.
Many other interesting fire-fighting artifacts round out this part of the museum.
The Red River Cart was a mid-19th century mode of transport, with close ties to the Métis people (e.g. Louis Riel) who were pivotal players in the founding of modern-day Manitoba. The cart was used in the Prairie region. Usually, it ferried bison meat (pemmican) from campsite to campsite but was also employed in the fur trade. Its name is derived from its use by the people of the Red River Colony, a 19th century settlement which flanked the Red and Assiniboine Rivers at the Forks. Métis leaders referred to it as “aen wagon” and “aen charet” in their native language of Michif.
View some historic artifacts, pictures and stories about WW I and WWII and St. Vital residents who participated in these monumental events that shaped our lives.
The building housing the St. Vital Museum is often known as the old firehall but the building also housed other City of Winnipeg operations including the St. Vital Police Department. An old jail cell from those days remains at the museum and is a favourite picture-taking spot in the museum.
You could not tell the history of St. Vital without displaying agriculture. St. Vital was an agricultural hot bed. At the turn of the 20th century, many lots in St. Vital were 10 acres and each acreage might specialize in a particular agricultural product that they would sell of trade with other growers. We have a display honouring the St. Vital Agricultural Society which is over 100 years old. The famous cow attached to the barn at Gobert’s farm on St. Mary’s Road is now on full display at the museum. Surely, everyone who lived or travelled through St. Vital in the 20th century would recognize this famous St. Vital artifact.
A 1938 school room is featured at the museum. Old desks, some photos of St. Vital schools, some no longer standing and some old-time artifacts like a strap which is no longer used. Some artifacts still exist in some fashion while others like the strap are from a by-gone era.
The museum does collect old yearbooks and pictures of old schools in case you would like to check whether your old yearbooks are already stored at the museum.
The 1950 flood was one of the most significant events to effect St. Vital. Half of St. Vital was under water. We have hundreds of pictures to document the devastation. The museum building was used at that time as a safe harbor for displaced residents. We are developing this gallery to include other big floods and to show the benefits of the Floodway.
A room in the museum is dedicated to artifacts, posters and displays that represent a time in our youth. Guides, Scout, band uniform and a host of displays await you. A display of dolls is featured along with toys no longer available. Signs advertising travelling carnival shows that were common many years ago are also displayed in this room.
Some commercial operations or businesses have long-time roots in St. Vital. Some types of businesses still exist while others are now all gone. The museum houses pictures, articles and artifacts from drug stores, service stations, grocery stores, camera shops, shoe repair, and a host of others that are an important part of the fabric of the history of St. Vital.
Back before electricity was common, folks still had kitchens. Blocks of ice were placed in an ice box to help perishable food last. Visit our Heritage Kitchen display and see many artifacts that have changed over the years, are no longer available or are just plain unique.