The name of this museum in Wawanesa, in the Municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa, is pronounced “Sip-i-wisk-ee,” an Aboriginal word that was the original town name, before local clerics argued—incorrectly—that it referred to consumption of alcohol. The collection is subdivided into expertly arranged vignettes portraying pioneer life in the Wawanesa area. Some of the displays include notable residents of the areas, Nellie McClung, the Criddle/Vane family, and a large room displaying the history of the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company from its humble roots to its present position as one of the largest Canadian-owned insurance companies. The building is a municipally designated historic site (1991) and a provincially designated historic site.
Behind the museum is the St. John the Divine Anglican Church (1882) which was moved here from near Rounthwaite and is still used for special services.
Sipiweske Museum (July 2003)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Sipiweske Museum (August 2020)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.59364, W99.68413
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
MHS Centennial Business: Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Wawanesa Insurance Building (107 Fourth Street, Wawanesa, Municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. John the Divine Anglican Church (Wawanesa, Municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company Building, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Maria Zbigniewicz.
Page revised: 12 November 2022
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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