Exciting partnership for St. Vital Museum

St. Vital

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/06/2025 (398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Louis Riel School Division came into existence with the amalgamation of Norwood and St. Boniface School Divisions in 1998. In 2001, St. Vital School Division joined the new division, creating LRSD in its current form.

The St. Vital Historical Society was formed in 1995. The current location of the St. Vital Museum, in the old police station and fire hall at the junction of St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s Roads, was opened in 2008.

The two entities recently came to an agreement that will benefit both. In the last LRSD budget, a partnership was announced that will make the museum more relevant to schoolchildren, hopefully for generations to come.

The program includes a variety of partnerships, including:

• Certain grades coming to the museum on tours;

• Taking the museum to the classrooms;

• Developing audio/video content with students from the division’s arts and tech program;

• Co-ordinating projects for students to explore our region’s history.

It seems obvious that the museum is not as much a secret as it was a year ago. The number of people who attended Doors Open Winnipeg, the expanding numbers of people becoming members and donating to the museum, and some new volunteers are all indicators our local museum is moving in the right direction.

The partnership with LRSD could take this momentum to a new level, especially for future generations. We also have outreach plans to connect with groups and entities in St. Vital and beyond. This treasured local museum, which recognizes such amazing and successful people and events, can and should be a shining light in the community. All we need now is you to come and see the broad array of artifacts we have displayed and the extensive changes that have recently occurred.

Most galleries have received or are receiving a makeover and new galleries are coming. Our precious Red River Cart is being re-conditioned soon and will be exactly like carts were in the 1800s. It is one of only five carts that participated in the journey to Batoche, Sask., to re-enact the hanging of Louis Riel in 2001.

The effort to implement the school division program will be extensive. If you would like to volunteer to participate in this initiative or some other aspect of the museum, please reach out by email to info@svhs.ca or call 204-255-2864. The museum is currently open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m. There will be expanded hours in July and August. Check out www.svhs.ca

These are exciting times at 600 St. Mary’s Rd. It is fun to be a part of it. Come and see for yourself soon.

In addition, you’re invited to attend the St. Vital Museum’s annual barbecue and open house on Saturday, Aug. 16. The $10 lunch includes a hot dog or hamburger, chips, a drink and an ice-cream treat. There will be music, games, door prizes, tours and more.