Assembled along the Selkirk Slough in 1915, the steel-hulled C.G.S. Bradbury served a storied career navigating Lake Winnipeg as a fisheries patrol vessel, lighthouse tender, and vital winter icebreaker. From transporting doctors through thick ice during a 1917 flu epidemic to being saved from the scrap heap by community donations in 1974, this historic ship remains a legendary fixture of Manitoba’s marine history at the Marine Museum of Manitoba.
Established in 1897 by Walter “Harry” Gibbs, Gibbs’ Drug Store served as a beloved multi-generational cornerstone of daily life in Selkirk for over a century. From filling crucial after-hours prescriptions to providing postcards and souvenirs for tourists traveling aboard the S.S. Keenora, this historic downtown fixture faithfully served the community for 110 years before closing its doors in 2005.
From its 1920s beginnings equipped with borrowed tools to a striking appearance in an Oscar-winning Hollywood film, Gilbart Funeral Home is one of Selkirk’s most enduring landmarks. Discover the fascinating four-generation legacy of this local institution, the trailblazing businesswoman who blossomed the family trade, and the grand Queen Anne Revival heritage home that holds it all together.
From serving as a 13-year-old canteen boy on the S.S. Keenora to commanding naval warships and becoming the Mayor of Selkirk, Bill Shead’s life is a masterclass in leadership. Discover his incredible journey as a proud Cree naval officer, his royal appointments, and his decades of trailblazing volunteer service dedicated to Indigenous education and veterans.
From its humble late-1970s beginnings in a church basement to a bustling, modern facility on Eveline Street, the Gordon Howard Senior Centre has redefined aging in Selkirk. Discover the inspiring legacy of Gordon Howard, his fight against ageist stereotypes, and how his vision continues to keep local retirees active, independent, and deeply connected
What do a hidden high school swimming pool, two former mayors, and a lifetime of community devotion have in common? They are all part of Selkirk’s incredible volunteer legacy. Discover the fascinating stories of grit and teamwork that shaped our city, and learn how an upcoming fireside chat is helping preserve our local heritage for generations to come.
From serving as a floating dance hall in Winnipeg to acting as a vital lifeline for remote northern communities, the vessels at the Marine Museum of Manitoba have incredible stories to tell. Discover the fascinating history of legendary ships like the S.S. Keenora and the C.G.S. Bradbury, and how they shaped Selkirk’s rich marine legacy.
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.
From her quiet beginnings at Safeway to becoming Selkirk’s first elected First Nations woman councillor, Darlene Swiderski has spent decades quietly championing her community. Discover her inspiring journey through union activism, her mentorship of new leaders, and her unwavering dedication to local progress
From an ingenious 1933 prototype crafted out of an old Coca-Cola sign to a global industry standard, the Selkirk Chimney completely revolutionized home heating. Discover the fascinating story of local inventor Kelly Sveinson, how his lightweight insulated design prevented devastating house fires, and the gritty history of the “climbing boys” who risked it all before modern chimneys changed everything.