From its 1901 origins as a cozy reading room funded by local benefactors to the grand opening of its beautiful Carnegie-funded building in 1909, Selkirk’s library served as a vital community hub for decades. Explore the fascinating history of this historic landmark, its post-war demolition in 1959, and how its legacy was preserved in the bricks and timbers of the town’s parks.
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.
For over a century, the house at 202 Christie Avenue witnessed the dramatic evolution of its downtown neighborhood. From its 1915 origins as a family home tucked amidst bustling industrial docks and civic buildings, to its late-life transformation into a vital community homeless shelter, explore the remarkable history, changing surroundings, and ultimate legacy of the Barnard family home.
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.
Enter a modern era of transformation and renewal. From 1980 to 2010, Selkirk navigated shifting economic tides, witnessing major shifts in local industry, the evolution of community infrastructure, and key cultural milestones that redefined the city’s identity heading into the 21st century.
The Modern Town 1947-1979
Resilience in the face of hardship defined Selkirk during the turbulent years of 1929 to 1946. This chapter of the timeline explores how the community navigated the economic devastation of the Great Depression, steadily acquired vital new town assets, and rallied together through the heavy sacrifices of the Second World War.
Step into a transformative era of modernization and grit. Between 1911 and 1928, Selkirk charged into a new industrial age, reshaping its infrastructure with the arrival of electricity, a brand-new sewage system, and expanding manufacturing sectors that would power the community through the early 20th century.
Step back to the foundational years of 1882 and 1883, when Selkirk was officially incorporated as a town. This section of the timeline explores the election of our very first Mayor, the establishment of pioneering local businesses, and the resilient early residents who laid the groundwork for the community we know today.
From drafting Selkirk’s very first town plans to carving out the heart of downtown Winnipeg, the Vaughan family literally drew the lines of Manitoba’s history. This exhibit explores the legacy of pioneering surveyors Amos and Lynds Smith Vaughan, their rise to local political power, and the prominent riverboat captains and politicians who made Vaughan Avenue the town’s most prestigious corner.