Time Lines
Volume 37, No 3
February / March 2005

Gordon Goldsborough

Sir John A. Macdonald Dinner 2005

The Sir John A Macdonald 40^th Annual Fundraising Dinner was held at the Fort Garry Hotel on January 15, 2005. Background music was provided by the Jason Munro Jazz Trio. There were greetings from the Honourable John Harvard P.C., O.M. Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and Honourary Patron of the Society, the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Manitoba Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth and the Honourable Joy Smith M.P.

Guest speaker, The Right Honourable John N. Turner P.C., C.C., Q.C briefly discussed his recent visit to Ukraine to monitor elections and then spoke of Sir John A. Macdonald’s role in Canadian history. Mr. Turner was introduced by the Honourable Pearl B. McGonigal, a former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, and thanked by Dr. Emőke Szathmáry, president of the University of Manitoba.

The MHS executive and council is very grateful to the 2005 Sir John A. Macdonald Dinner Committee for planning and organizing this successful event. Members of the committee were Margaret Morse, Chair, and John Bovey, Shirley Bradshaw, Bernie Wolfe, Marie Louise Zorniak and Carl James.

A silent auction of 24 items proved to be a popular event. The Dinner Committee would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to Jose Koes, our M.C. of the silent auction. Jose, with her persuasive and engaging manner, along with the co-ordinator Carl James and his team raised a profit of over $2000 which will help pay for MHS program expenses.

The Manitoba Historical Society and the Sir John A. Macdonald Fundraising Dinner Committee gratefully acknowledge the support and generosity of the following contributors to the dinner. We also thank all of you who attended our event. Thank you for helping us keep history alive for another 125 years!

Macdonald Dinner Sponsors

Ms. Ida Albo
The Fort Garry Hotel
Winnipeg Free Press
Paul Thomas, Duff Roblin Professor, Political Studies, University of Manitoba
Mrs. W. Steward Martin
Meyers Norris Penny
Hon. Justice Nathan Nurgitz
Senator Douglas D. Everett
Jean M. Fenwick
Phyllis Watson
Morden’s Chocolates
Winnipeg Sun

Contributors & Participants

Hon. John Harvard P. C., O. M.
Hon. Pearl B. McConigal ,C.M., O.M.
Rt. Hon. John N. Turner, P. C., Q. C., C.C
Hon. Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, Citizenship & Youth
Hon. Joy A. Smith, Kildonan-St. Paul
Dr. Emőke Szathmáry, President, University of Manitoba
Dr. L. Gordon Goldsborough, President, MHS
Mr. Doug Taylor, MHS Past President
Ms. Judith Hudson Beattie
Mr. Kenneth Zealand
Mr. David Deane
Mrs. Margaret Morse
Mr. John Bovey
Miss Shirley Bradshaw
Mr. Bernie Wolfe C. M.
Mrs. Mary Louise Zorniak
Mr. Keith Burr, ANAF, Vets Unit 60 Pipes and Drums

Silent Auction Donors

Bayat Inuit Gallery
Beyond Flowers
Bread & Circuses
Brio Restaurant
Café Carlos
Charleswood Department Store
Echardt-Gramatté Foundation
Ivan Eyre
Fountain Tire
Gallery LaCosse
Dr. L. Gordon Goldsborough
Carl James
Céline & Allen Kear
Do It Yourself Framing Ltd.
Dr. John C. Lehr
Edward Carriere Salon
Little Bo Peep Boutique
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
Manitoba Theatre Centre
Mariaggi’s Theme Suite Hotel
McDiarmid Lumber
Metro Cleaners
Midtown Car Wash
Margaret Morse
Partners In the Park
Prairie Theatre Exchange
These Four Walls
Wellness Institute
Winnipeg Art Gallery
WOW Hospitality Concepts

Silent Auction

Mr. Carl James, Auction Coordinator
Mrs. Jose Koes, M.C.
Mr. Bill Fraser
Dr. L. Gordon Goldsborough
Ms. Stephanie Middagh
Mrs. Evelyn Sutton
Mr. Robert Sutton
Ms. Maria Zbigniewicz

Obituaries

John Alexander Bovey

Ruth Susan Lorraine Winkler, a long time MHS member, died on January 13, 2005 in Winnipeg. She was born in Morden in 1909. She attended the University of Toronto in 1934 and graduated in Social Work. She worked for the Regina Family Bureau, the Children’s Aid Society in Portage la Prairie and in Winnipeg and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 1952 she was loaned to the Red Cross and went to Korea and Japan as head of a team that arranged hospital and recreational services for Canadian troops in the Korean War.

In 1954 she married Howard Winkler who had been Liberal member for Lisgar from 1935 to 1953 and they spent the next 16 years in the town of Morden. She was a strong advocate and volunteer for the town and a supporter of the formation of the Morden and District Museum and the writing of the pictorial history book of Morden in 1981. She received the Manitoba Good Citizenship Award in 1983. She was active in establishing the University of Manitoba School (now Faculty) of Social Work and the Howard and Ruth S. L. Winkler Bursary for Social Work.

In later years she enjoyed taking seniors courses and supporting organizations in Winnipeg. Mrs. Winkler donated a large number of items to the Manitoba Historical Society for the Dalnavert Antique Auction in 1996.

Centennial Farm Award

Click here for the latest list of Centennial Farm recipients.

Dalnavert News

Since last March there have been no casual tours of the museum but that has not stopped us from carrying out a variety of other public programming. Last summer our “My House, Your House” program was conducted as a partnership program with the Winnipeg Crafts Museum and Library, when we were able to utilize their new home at 1B-183 Kennedy Street. As well we engaged a couple of our students in an outreach program to a number of school age child care facilities.

December has always been one of the busiest months of the whole year. This we were not able to continue the tradition of showing the colour and sights of the museum on a casual basis. However that did not prevent the museum from scheduling the special Christmas Programming. For two weeks schools groups could be found within the museum absorbing the sights of a traditional Victorian Christmas as portrayed through Dalnavert. The students were taken on a tour of the first floor of the museum, which is the part most decorated. They would spot the pickle and other ornaments on the tree and then go back to the basement to continue the program. The remainder of the two hour time period involved a brief story-time break and then three crafts – popcorn stringing, paper star making and the fabrication of a clothes pin doll.

Dalnavert was very fortunate that noted Winnipeg actor, Richard Hurst, continued to perform Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This year, the 16^th annual performance, saw all 400 total available seats sold out by the time of the first performance, with many more potential audience members having to wait until next year. As in each of the past years the performance was held in the museum’s attic. In subsequent years the Orientation Room in the new Visitors Centre is expected to provide a new setting.

The construction project continues daily. By now the structural construction has been completed and, until the work wraps up, the focus will be on the finishing touches that will turn the raw shell into a magnificent heritage resource. Within recent weeks the drywall has all been installed and much of the painting done. One of the interesting products that is being used is a Manitoba made product known as straw-board. The millwork contractor has been fastening the straw-board paneling within the Orientation Room and to the wainscoting in the public areas of the new facility. The new display cases that form the feature south wall of the Orientation Room have taken shape and the showcases for Carlton Lane Gift Shop have been roughly situated giving this space meaning. However there is still much work to be done and the exterior landscaping awaits the warmth of spring.

There has been activity within the museum itself. The Museum’s Furnishings Committee has had several pieces of furniture refurbished, restored and/or re-upholstered. This work has in part been made possible by a grant from the Province of Manitoba’s Heritage Grants Program and private donors. Due to Dalnavert’s designation as a National Historic Site the museum has also received invaluable assistance with the restoration of some specific pieces of furniture from Parks Canada, Cultural Resource Services - Winnipeg. Before the opening takes place the Committee will have gone through the museum top to bottom ensuring that only the best image of the house is seen.

One of the aspects of the Heritage Grants Program that the museum has had to deal with is that of obtaining some of its support by working Bingos at either the McPhillips Street Casino or the Regent Avenue Casino. Each Bingo shift that we have been allocated requires a commitment of no more than 3¾ hours at one time, often shorter. For working the shorter shifts we gain $1,500 per occasion. The Management Committee is grateful for the recent efforts of Dalnavert volunteers and their friends for volunteering at the bingo. If you and perhaps a friend would like to join the others in this profitable venture please phone the Society at 947-0559 to have your name added to the contact list.

Along with all the changes the new building is creating, there have been staff changes at Dalnavert. Before Christmas Nancy Anderson, who has been Assistant Curator for many years, left the Museum. Her position was discontinued as part of the implementation of a new staffing plan. The decision was not an easy one and the Management Committee were very sorry to lose Nancy's expertise and energy.

Early in the New Year Tim Worth, Dalnavert's Curator for 30 years, announced his decision to retire. This is another major loss for the Museum. Invitations will be going out soon for a farewell dinner for Tim which will take place close to his retirement date of 28 January.

The new position of Director of the Museum has been advertised, with a closing date of January 23^rd and we have received quite a number of applications. An announcement about the new Director will be made soon.

The opening of the new Visitor Centre will take place in May, during the week of May 9^th to 13^th. We will be communicating soon with all MHS members about the opening and the events of that week.

This is a time of transition for the Museum and we are very close to being able to implement the plans we have been making over the past 5 years.

We are going to need the support of all the Museum's many friends to make all the changes successfully and begin a new era for Dalnavert. This time next year new programs will be in place, there will be many more visitors and tours. The new building will be busy with events and meetings most nights of the week.

Heritage Canada Foundation Awards

Are you involved in the conservation of your community’s heritage buildings? If you answered YES, then you know someone whose work and dedication in preserving and promoting Canada’s rich architectural heritage is deserving of a Heritage Canada Foundation Award.

We are now accepting nominations for our 2005 Awards and Prizes program and we are looking for YOUR input! Submit a nomination today for one of the six awards and prizes:

The Prince of Wales Prize

Under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, this prize is awarded to a municipal government, large or small, rural or urban, which has shown an exemplary commitment to heritage conservation.

The Gabrielle Léger Award

Named after the wife of former Canadian Governor General, Jules Léger, this award recognizes individuals who have contributed nationally to heritage conservation.

Lieutenant Governor’s Award

This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or group in the province in which the Heritage Canada Foundation’s Annual Conference is held. This upcoming year, the conference will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Journalism Award

Awarded to a journalist whose coverage of heritage issues is judged to be outstanding.

Corporate Prize

Recognizes a business, large or small, which has demonstrated outstanding stewardship of its built heritage.

Achievement Award

Given jointly by Heritage Canada and a partner organization, this award honours individuals for excellence in their province or territory.

All nominations must be received by Heritage Canada on or before March 31, 2005, so please don’t delay.

For information on nomination procedures, contact the Heritage Canada Foundation at:

5 Blackburn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8A2
Tel. 613-237-1066
Fax 613-237-5987
E-mail heritagecanada@heritagecanada.org

Ross House Museum

Ross House Museum closed for the season at the end of August but there is still news to report. In the fall trees were planted in Joe Zuken Park using a grant the Ross House Committee obtained from Manitoba Hydro. During the last weekend of November and the first weekend of December Museum manager Victor Sawelo opened the doors of the museum to actors, film crews and equipment for a few days. The film is produced by the Winnipeg Film Group.

MHS received a heritage grant approval for $1500 for a permanent exterior panel display that will be installed near the museum. We had no problem fulfilling the requirement of finding 10 volunteers to work at a bingo. The Society will be applying for a matching grant from the City of Winnipeg to cover the balance of the costs. It is hoped that the panel project will be complete by July 1 for our Canada Day Celebrations.

Centennial Business Awards

Centennial Business Awards were presented to three firms at the Macdonald Dinner in January 2005.

Judith Hudson Beattie presented a Centennial Business award to Al Hunter, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of Ash Temple.

Ken Zealand presented a Centennial Business award to David Smith of Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.

David Deane presented a Centennial Business award to Dianne Little of Christie's Office Plus.

Heritage News

Fort Garry Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, February 19 at Pembina Trail Library from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children from St. Norbert Elementary School will present “ Autrefois et Aujourd’hui” Guest speaker Sheryl Kolt will speak on the Greatest Transconan Contest.

The Manitoba Museum presents “Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools” until March 13, 2005. The traveling exhibit of historic photographs of aboriginal children tell a story of abuse, suffering, pain and loneliness. The exhibit was initiated by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation produced in partnership with the Legacy of Hope foundation and Archives Canada.

Volume 2 of Brookside Cemetery: A Celebration of Life has just been published by the City of Winnipeg's Cemeteries Branch. The 92-page, soft-cover book is a collection of over 50 fascinating short biographies of famous (or infamous) people buried in the Brookside Cemetery of west Winnipeg over the past 125 years. Among the people featured in what is anticipated will be a series of volumes are suffragist Francis Marion Beynon, wrestler "Bulldog" Brown, 1919 striker Fred Dixon, jockey Sandy Graham, restauranteur Chrys Kelekis, and doctor Charlotte Ross. (A complete list of subjects is available on our web site, at www.mhs.mb.ca/news/brooksidebook.shtml.) Copies can be purchased for $20 (including taxes) from Brookside Cemetery by phoning Sherry Dyck at 204-986-4348. A limited number of copies of Volume 1, published in 2003, are also available for $10 each.

Heritage Day is an opportunity to celebrate the architectural heritage and historic places of Canada. The Heritage Canada Foundation promotes the third Monday in February each year as Heritage Day and has long advocated adopting this date as a national holiday. In 2005, the theme of Heritage Day will be Heritage of Faith: Spiritual and Sacred.

Letters to Manitoba History

Have you ever wanted to add something to an article that appears in our journal, Manitoba History? Have you wanted to correct an error, clarify a point, or draw attention to related information? Well, now you can! Starting with the Fall 2005 issue, we will be featuring a "Letters to the Editor" section in the journal. Letters should be fewer than 300 words. They may be edited for space, and clarity, and accuracy. All letters, including those sent via e-mail, must have the writer's telephone number and mailing address. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Please send your letters to: