Selkirk has a vast amount of places where people have been able to unwind, explore, and enjoy themselves over the years. Explore what Selkirk has to offer such as parks, historical homes, buildings, and the popular pool. Take a tour, stay for a while.
For generations, Pauley’s Barbershop served as far more than just a place to get a haircut—it was a cherished cornerstone of Selkirk’s social and community life. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, friendly conversations, and familiar faces, this historic local establishment remains fondly remembered as a true neighborhood hub where community bonds were forged and strengthened over the decades.
Established in 1966 just as the surrounding neighborhood began to grow, Penwarden Park stands as a tribute to community dedication. This exhibit explores the park’s history—from its early development and subsequent modern expansions to the legacy of William “Bill” Penwarden, an engineer who spent his life championing local youth sports and recreation.
Named to honor the “Mother of the Empire,” Queen Avenue speaks to the immense admiration Selkirk residents held for Queen Victoria. This exhibit reveals how a prestigious street address was used to entice early buyers, and how land originally reserved for the main Transcontinental Railway line transformed into a vital shipping corridor that powered Selkirk’s booming waterfront industries.
Sitting at a historic junction that once served as a busy ferry crossing, Queen’s Park tells a story of community pride and royal celebration. This exhibit explores how the local Odd Fellows lodge worked to beautify the vacant lot, and how the site was officially transformed into a lasting tribute for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation Day.
From a premier 1910s poultry ranch to a wartime military barracks, Red Feather Farm holds a fascinating place in Selkirk’s history. This exhibit uncovers how its massive chicken barns were transformed into quarters for the 108th Battalion—affectionately nicknamed “The Roosters”—before they deployed to the front lines of the First World War.
Established on Main Street in 1927 by Russian immigrant Harry Rifkin and his wife Freda with just $200, Rifkin’s evolved from a modest, seven-day-a-week general store—complete with a taxi service and hot dog stand—into a beloved downtown fashion staple. Moving to its final location at 212 Manitoba Avenue in 1945, the business was later transformed by their son Max and his style-savvy wife Lucy into a modern ladies’ clothing boutique, elegantly serving generations of local shoppers for 61 years until its closure in 1988.
Built in just five months in 1959, this landmark school was named after the former Manitoba Rolling Mills manager and Selkirk Mayor. It grew quickly to meet the demands of rural school consolidation, eventually expanding into a vibrant elementary hub that even shared its space with the Selkirk Public Library in the 1970s.
From commanding a vast shipping empire that employed thousands to orchestrating the recruitment of the historic “Nile Boatmen,” Captain William Robinson was one of Selkirk’s greatest heroes. This exhibit explores his incredible life as a pioneer merchant, wartime patriot, and the town’s first great benefactor who helped build Selkirk’s foundational infrastructure.
He was a former Confederate General, a roommate to George Custer, and a notoriously corrupt railway engineer. This exhibit uncovers the scandalous history of Thomas Lafayette Rosser, the man who defied Canadian Pacific Railway policy to give Selkirk its coveted branch line—lining his own pockets and saving the town from economic ruin just months before he was fired
From a bold 1953 fundraising vision to a massive man-made lake with a sandy beach, explore how the Rotary Club of Selkirk overcame inflation and floods to build the jewel of Selkirk Park.