Winnipeg’s a treasure-trove of historic sites

North End

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/11/2024 (357 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Historian Greg Agnew loves to dig into the past. For the last 20 years he’s researched and studied the buildings and business sites that once played an important part in the city’s development. It was a fascinating hobby, which he felt should be shared with the public, so — since 2005 he has made 57 presentations to various groups and organizations.

The affable speaker enjoys his work, especially when he speaks to audiences of seniors. He says it’s gratifying when he sees their eyes light up as his information brings back special memories.

Agnew loves to hear the stories his listeners relate. One time, while talking about an old fire hall on Osborne Street and a firefighter who was given a special award for dashing into a burning building to save a life, an older member of the audience shouted, “That was my father!”

Agnew himself can look back on a few special memories – joining the Friends of the Met to save the Metropolitan Theatre, playing an active part in the restoration of streetcar 356 (an important part of Winnipeg’s transportation history), and leading many tours for Doors Open Winnipeg, which opens buildings of historical significance for public viewing. Agnew is also a judge and presenter of a yearly Heritage Winnipeg award to the student with the most outstanding history or social studies project.

Agnew’s interest in events of the past was sparked at an early age by an aunt, who took him along on visits to forts, museums and all kinds of historical places. However, the graduate of Red River College admits his main focus was design drafting. After graduating, he worked at Versatile Manufacturing, which made agricultural products. When he retired, he was happy to return to his early interest.

The building manager of the Millennium Centre (the old Bank Of Commerce at 389 Main St.) admits he’s a crackerjack handyman and states proudly: “ I can take a car apart and put it all together – and a house, too”.

The energetic promoter of Winnipeg’s development history often appears at speaking engagements in top hat and frock coat, a nod to businessmen of the past, and offers a light-hearted and entertaining account of Winnipeg’s early beginnings. (I wish we had such a stimulating instructor for our history classes back in high school).

As president of Heritage Winnipeg, Agnew has a strong message for city residents: “Get involved and learn about your city and where you live. Ask questions. Stop and look at where you live and where you’ve been. Your memories are part of Winnipeg’s history.”

Agnew praised Heritage Winnipeg’ newly printed book, Winnipeg 150: Stories Our Buildings Tell, with hand drawn pictures by Robert Sweeney. The book celebrating Winnipeg’s birthday and long history can be purchased from heritagewinnipeg.com, or from major book stores in the city.