Purvis Family
Discover the legendary legacy of the Purvis family, whose generations of boatbuilding knowledge and prolific shipyards shaped the marine history of Selkirk, Lake Winnipeg, and beyond.
Selkirk has been and still is home to some extraordinary people over the years. Some gave their lives for a better tomorrow, others traveled the world, created recreation, and gave transportation. Learn how these great individuals shaped our beautiful city into what it is today.
Raymond Fiddler
Raymond Edward Fiddler (1924–1981) was a Manitoba-born Second World War veteran who enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following his military service, he worked as a tugboat captain for the Suzanne E on the Hayes River and later with Marine Transport.
Richard Gilhuly
Discover the life of Richard Gilhuly, a meticulous community builder who ran Selkirk’s iconic Gilhuly’s Drug Store for nearly a century and served as the town’s dedicated postmaster.
Richard Johnstone
Richard “Dick” Johnstone (1901–1993) was a Scottish-born Second World War veteran who served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. A long-time Selkirk resident, he worked as a greenskeeper at the Selkirk Golf Course and later as a local handyman, while actively contributing to his community as a founding member and Grand Chieftain of the Manitoba Highland Gathering.
Robert Smith
Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, Robert Smith was one of Selkirk’s most generous yet unassuming figures. Discover the inspiring story of this Manitoba Rolling Mills manager and former mayor, whose quiet, legendary acts of kindness supporting his workers only came to light after his death.
Roderick Fiddler
Roderick “Roddie” Fiddler (1912–1996) was a Manitoba-born Second World War veteran who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery. After returning to civilian life, he spent decades working at the Selkirk Mental Hospital (later the Selkirk Mental Health Centre) and remained a deeply dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42.
Ruth Hooker
From fostering 37 children worldwide to donating land for a local school playground, Ruth Hooker’s quiet generosity left a profound legacy in Selkirk. Discover her remarkable life as the United Church’s first female Deaconess, her post-war humanitarian efforts, and how her community-minded spirit lives on today.
Selkirk Curling Club PT 1: A History of the Club
Established on Christmas Eve in 1893 after a few false starts, the Selkirk Curling Club quickly grew from a single-sheet rink on Eveline Street into a competitive powerhouse. Explore the club’s early triumphs—including a near-legendary 19世纪95年 trip to a Wisconsin bonspiel—the 1911 debut of the Ladies Curling Club, and the historical mystery behind who truly served as its very first president.
Selkirk Curling Club PT 2: The Jemima Street Rink
Following World War II, a booming interest in curling pushed Selkirk to replace its aging Fox Avenue facility with an ambitious new project. Discover how the community rallied to build the Jemima Street Rink—from selling “curling certificates” and hosting volunteer “work bees” to its grand 1962 opening, featuring a ceremonial first rock thrown by Mayor Ben Massey.
Selkirk District Community Foundation
Discover how the Selkirk District Community Foundation has been shaping the community since 1995. Built on the vision of “Here for Good,” explore how this vital foundation connects donors with local causes to support arts, culture, education, and community well-being for generations to come.