Year
Event
1893
Hugh John Macdonald buys the Carlton Street property from Onesime Falcon.
1895
The plans for Dalnavert are drawn up by Charles H. Wheeler, a Winnipeg architect, for Hugh John Macdonald. His design is in a transitional mode incorporating features of the late High Victorian and Art Nouveau styles. Some of the most recent innovations like electric lighting, indoor plumbing, central heating, a telephone and closets are included in the buildings structure. Total cost of the construction was $10,500.00, when the average house was being built for $1,000.
When the Macdonald family moved into Dalnavert in 1895 the south end of Carlton was in the newest, high-class residential area. Homes like Dalnavert had all the modern conveniences of the day - indoor plumbing, hot-water heating, walk-in clothes closets and electric lighting. The typical Victorian home was opulently decorated, and full of treasured objects.
1929
Hugh John Macdonald dies in this year and the majority of the contents of the household are sold at auction. Lady Macdonald, no longer needing the large house, moves to the Roslyn Court Apartments at the corner of Roslyn Road and Osborne Street. After his death in 1929, the house was sold and converted into a rooming house. Over the next 40 years many changes were made to the house.
1969
Dalnavert is re-sold. The new owner is Lakeview Development Ltd. which plans to re-develop the property as a high-rise apartment complex. Demolition is scheduled for April 1970. The Manitoba Historical Society, under the presidency of W. Steward Martin, begins investigating the possibility of the MHS purchasing the house.
1970
After a lengthy series of amicable negotiations with Lakeview Development Ltd., the Society purchases Dalnavert. It decides to restore the house as a period museum as a Winnipeg Centennial Project. John Chivers is appointed as restoration architect and was assisted by George Walker, an interior designer. The refurbishing entailed structural, electrical and mechanical repairs. The interior was completely refurbished with a number of original family items as well as artifacts donated by many original families.
1974
The completed restoration is officially opened on 18 June 1974 by Lieutenant-Governor Jack McKeag, the Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Rene Toupin, and Hugh Gainsford, the grandson of Sir Hugh John Macdonald. In September 1974, Dalnavert was awarded the Prairie Regional Prize from the Heritage Canada Foundation as one of the most outstanding works of restoration in this area. Then in September 1975, the house was presented with an award from the American Association for State and Local History. The total cost of the restoration was $559,000 that was completely paid off by mid-1979. Most of the money was raised through the private efforts of the Manitoba Historical Society, through the Manitoba Historical Society Bingo, and donations from corporations and individuals.
1985
In February 1985, Heritage Winnipeg presented Dalnavert with a “1985 Preservation Award for Excellence” in the field of Architectural Conservation.
1990
Dalnavert is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
1995
A National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque is unveiled at the house.
2005
Dalnavert Visitors’ Centre is officially opened.
Page revised: 19 July 2009
