Historic Sites of Manitoba: Barnardo Home [Oakwood] (117 Bannerman Avenue, Winnipeg)

This 2½-storey wood frame and wood plank siding, Vernacular Gable Front-style house is on Bannerman Avenue in Winnipeg. Measuring 20 feet by 26 feet, and 12 feet by 20 feet, it was built in 1908 by contractor John Thorburn Hunter at a cost of about $2,500, for owner Alfred Alexander Gibson. It was used as a receiving home for Barnardo Homes, established by philanthropist Thomas John Barnardo and known as “Oakwood”.

As part of the Home Children program, it received destitute children from England and relocated them elsewhere in the British Empire. The children would be trained as domestic servants in Canadian households. It was managed by Edmund Amos Struthers until his retirement.

At the time of a 2020 site visit, the house was slightly modified from its original appearance with its windows and original wood plank siding having been replaced.

Barnardo Home [Oakwood] (July 2020) Source: Jordan Makichuk Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92382, W97.12173 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: John Thorburn Hunter (1857-1936)

Memorable Manitobans: Alfred Alexander Gibson (1855-1940)

Memorable Manitobans: Thomas John Barnardo (1845-1905)

Memorable Manitobans: Edmund Amos Struthers (1855-1935)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Barnardo Industrial Farm Monument (Municipality of Russell-Binscarth)

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 434/1908, City of Winnipeg Archives.

Winnipeg fire insurance map, #303 September 1917 [revised March 1928], City of Winnipeg Archives.

Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.

Property Details [117 Bannerman Avenue], Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.

We thank Roberta Horrox for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Kenneth Ingram.

Page revised: 16 September 2026

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