Museum offers glimpse into Charleswood’s past

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/10/2021 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Anyone interested in learning about the history of Charleswood will want to spend a couple hours wandering around the Charleswood Historical Society Museum, where you’ll not only get a glimpse of the past through the hundreds of artifacts on display, you will also hear about the families who settled in the area, and became influential in Charleswood’s heritage.

Located at 5006 Roblin Blvd., the museum is a small space in the old municipal building, which also houses 55-plus Active Living.  While the space is a little tight for the myriad of pictures, memorabilia and items from days gone by, the recently revamped museum boasts new shelving and display cases that allow artifacts to be displayed more efficiently.

Upon entering the museum, the first display you’ll see is an antiquated wicket flanked by numbered letter boxes. This was the original Charleswood post office, which was located in Kelly General store — the main store in Charleswood in the early 1900s.

Historical pieces are displayed in chronological order, starting with the buffalo, and artifacts from First Nations and Métis history. Compartmentalized “rooms” showcase items that would have been used in that era. For example, the kitchen features a coal-oil stove (used in summer when a wood-burning stove would make a room too hot), cooking utensils and wooden storage containers for items such as flour and bread.

Among the treasures to be explored are cameras that were in use from 1913, sports memorabilia, wedding dresses from the 1930s, a permanent wave machine (for curling hair) that looks like something no one would risk (but many did), and a beautiful ceramic pitcher and washing bowl that undoubtedly belonged in the home of one of the wealthy families that settled in Charleswood — photos of some are on display, as are military uniforms and an overcoat which would have been worn by a volunteer firefighter when Charleswood had its own fire department.

A separate room called the library houses historical school material such as a Fun with Dick and Jane book — which I distinctly remember reading.

There are also photos of the historic passage site and the St. Charles ferry, which transported people and produce across the Assiniboine River. The library is also where the Kuypers display featuring Indigenous artifacts — currently on loan from the University of Winnipeg’s Archeology department — can be found.

The Charleswood Historical Society Museum is a hidden gem worth discovering. It’s open from 2- to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and tours are available by appointment. To arrange a tour, call Gwen at 204-888-2150.

In addition to its museum, Charleswood Historical Society offers a wide range of programs including outdoor talks and tours on local history for children and adults in the community.  

For more information about the programs it offers, visit www.charleswoodhistoricalsociety.ca

Donna Minkus is a community correspondent for Charleswood.

Donna Minkus
Charleswood community correspondent

Donna Minkus is a community correspondent for Charleswood.

   Read full biography