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Historic Sites of Manitoba: Village Green (RM of Victoria Beach)
For the 100th anniversary of the Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach, 16 interpretive panels were placed at historic sites in the area with one set of panels located in the village green at the townsite. The RM held its first election on 6 August 1919 and is the smallest in the province at 20.2 square kilometers. The area was inhabited and settled by a variety of cultures, including the Cree and Anishinaabe, Metis, Lebanese, French, Scandinavian and British. This diverse community has a resident population of about 400 persons, and in the summer that number skyrockets up to over 8,000.
During Canada's centennial year in 1967, Doreen Benningen—the first female councillor in the municipality—suggested this site of the former Canadian National Railway depot and track area be turned into an English-style village green, complete with benches and gardens. For a millennium project in 2000, a large mechanical roller used by the CNR which operated here from 1916 to 1962 was placed on the grounds with a time capsule buried underneath it. In the capsule, which is to be opened in 2025, are nostalgic photographs, memories, and items of historic interest placed there by many people with ties to Victoria Beach. A nearby plaque lists their names.
Village Green interpretive panels (May 2020)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Railway roller with time capsule buried beneath it (May 2020)
Source: Rose KuzinaSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.70023, W96.55811
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Gladys Doreen Benningen (1919-2001)
Sources:
“History Hunt 100: Clues to 100 Years of History throughout Victoria Beach,” Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach, 2019.
This page was prepared by Rose Kuzina.
Page revised: 21 December 2021
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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