Visit Winnipeg’s very own Victorian gaol and hear true crime stories about rapscallions, bootleggers, soiled doves and murderers. Stand in cells that held the undesirables from the Winnipeg General Strike, the infamous Gorilla Strangler, solitary confinement and more! For 50 years this building and the people who passed through it changed both local and Canadian history for the good and the bad. Join us for this unique experience and discover Winnipeg’s darker side of history!
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in The Exchange? Please join us at the 122 year old Gregg Building located at 52 Albert Street, where historic charm meets modern living! This historic building has been converted into apartments called “Gregg Building Lofts” on floors 2-5 while the main floor and Vault remain accessible for future development. We will share with you the history of the building and let you sneak a peak from our rooftop (weather permitting) for a great view of our downtown!
Designed by Charles Wheeler, the interior of this Gothic Style Church features spectacular stained glass windows, original woodwork, inspiring architectural and historical features, and a magnificent pipe organ. The building is designated as a Provincial and National Heritage Site. For over 150 years, Holy Trinity continues as a home of worship and an outreach Anglican community in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Come and experience the sounds of our pipe organ. Come and enjoy a Sanctuary for our city. You are welcome to join us for Sunday service at 10:30am.
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 - Best Overall Experience
Vaughan Street Jail
Located at 221 Memorial Boulevard
Visit Winnipeg’s very own Victorian gaol and hear true crime stories about rapscallions, bootleggers, soiled doves and murderers. Stand in cells that held the undesirables from the Winnipeg General Strike, the infamous Gorilla Strangler, solitary confinement and more! For 50 years this building and the people who passed through it changed both local and Canadian history for the good and the bad. Join us for this unique experience and discover Winnipeg’s darker side of history!
On this tour we are in a quiet little gem of a neighbourhood. We will hear the “tale of two bridges,” a history of the Kildonan Canoe Club circa 1930, the North Kildonan Municipality office and the Reeve S.R. Henderson who is the namesake of Henderson Hwy. We will end with a short walk under Kildonan Settler Bridge to the north side where we will see the outlet of McLeod Creek, our “hidden” area waterway, into the mighty Red River.
Step back in time at the oldest home in Winnipeg, and experience life as it was for a wealthy Scottish-Metis family throughout the 1800s. Tour the oldest building of any kind in Winnipeg, as you visit the Inkster family’s General Store and get a taste of the fur trade. Learn about Red River’s unique heritage as you view a stunning collection of beadwork, embroidery, locally-built furniture and Victorian finery. Brave visitors will even hear tales of the Spirits of Seven Oaks, who linger on the property to this day.
The Université de Saint-Boniface is the oldest educational institution in Western Canada, tracing its origins back to 1818. The present building, designed in the Greco-Roman style by architect J.O. Turgeon of Montreal, houses the University since 1922, after a fire cost ten lives and razed the 1880 building to the ground. Mainly recognized for its majestic dome, the building is the setting for many interesting stories. It is said that the cupola was once the perfect place for students to hide and socialize with beer and cigarettes. A unique opportunity to visit our dome!
L’Université de Saint-Boniface est le plus ancien établissement d’enseignement de l’Ouest canadien et retrace ses origines à 1818. Le bâtiment actuel, qui a été conçu par l’architecte J.O. Turgeon de Montréal dans le style gréco-romain, héberge l’Université depuis 1922 et ce, en raison d’un incendie qui a coûté la vie de dix individus et qui a rasé l’édifice construit en 1880. Sa coupole majestueuse aurait apparemment été un lieu convoité pour les collégiens qui cherchaient à boire et à fumer en cachette. Une occasion unique pour visiter la coupole!
Choose-your-own-adventure through Winnipeg’s Victorian Past! Built on Treaty 1 land in 1895, Dalnavert is now a national historic site and one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Western Canada. The fully furnished family home of the Macdonald’s is filled with period artifacts and antiques featuring a day in the life of an affluent family in 19th century Winnipeg. At Doors Open, you will be treated to a unique and in depth tour of 3 rooms of your choosing.
Go back in time as soon as you step into this small mansion in the heart of Downtown. One of the finest examples of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Western Canada, the house has an impressive collection of 19th century decorative arts all out on display as they might have been back in 1895. A national historic site, it feature rooms on the main floor such as the Kitchen stove with built-in waffle iron, and the parlour with its papier-mâché chess board table!
Join one of Winnipeg’s most experienced guides, Matthew Komus, author of the book Haunted Winnipeg: Ghost Stories from the Heart of the Continent, on a tour of haunted history. The walk combines historical fact with ghost stories connected to three well-known Winnipeg buildings. Starting at Vaughan Street Jail, the tour proceeds to the Manitoba Legislature Building and concludes at Dalnavert Museum.
The Dalnavert Museum and Visitor’ Centre has undergone an incredible transformation through detailed restoration that is immediately visible to guests as they enter the 1895 home of Sir Hugh John MacDonald, son of Prime Minister John A MacDonald. The grand old house was nearly lost in the 1970s, and was slated for demolition. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and philanthropists, restoration to the house began almost immediately after the purchase.
Then again in 2014 Dalnavert Museum was closed and in risk of being lost forever. The Friends of Dalnavert Museum was formed and took over ownership with a new business model. In 2015 the museum officially reopened stronger than ever, guaranteeing it will be part of our social and architectural fabric for generations to come.
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 Best Guided Tour/Programming
Vaughan Street Jail
Located at 221 Memorial Boulevard
The Vaughan Street Jail was built in 1881 by architect Charles Osborne Wickensen, and was later modified by Samuel Hooper in 1909. It is the oldest provincially owned building still standing within the City limits. There are significant local and Canadian historical figures connected to this building, and yet unfortunately, there is still no heritage designation.
Manitoba Legislative Building - Roots, Rights, Democracy & Design
Located at 450 Broadway
The Manitoba Legislature formally opened on July 15th, 1920 on the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s confederation. The impressive architecture in Beaux Arts style and the intriguing interior and exterior art have only become more renowned with time. The building is well known for the famous Golden Boy, who stands on top of the building’s domed ceiling. The statue was first installed in 1919, originally called Eternal Youth, and sculpted by Parisian artist Georges Gardet.
The Legislature is open for tours all year round, but that doesn’t detract from the building’s popularity during Doors Open. It’s always popular, and this year it also attracted nearly 2,000 visitors over the weekend.
La Maison Gabrielle-Roy is the childhood home of prominent Canadian author Gabrielle Roy. The house was built in 1905 by her father and features a gabled attic, sweeping veranda, and beautiful white Corinthian columns. Gabrielle Roy was one of Canada’s great novelists both in English and in French, as well as being an immensely important figure in French Canadian culture. One of the books she wrote Rue Deschambault, or Street of Riches in English, was based on her childhood in this home. This Doors Open site is one of many in the St. Boniface area of the city and provides tours in both French and English. The goal of the museum is to not only preserve the life, works, and personality of Gabrielle-Roy, but also to play an active role in the cultural life of Manitoba, particularly in the French-speaking community.
Launching into Aviation History at the Millennium Centre
Located at 389 Main Street
The Millennium Centre, built for the bank in 1912 by national architects Darling and Pearson. This magnificent landmark building features monumental granite, a tapestry room whose floor has recently been refinished, and a marble banking hall capped by a gorgeous dome of stained glass. Since the 2000 immense progress has been made in its restoration thanks to the non-profit organization – 389 Main St. Heritage Corporation, and a generous donation by Bill & Shirley Loewen. This year for Doors Open, the Millennium Centre also featured a beautiful exhibit by the Costume Museum of Canada.
For 15 years our Executive Director has sat on the Board of the Millennium Centre to help preserve the building and continue to make it economically sustainability. The current business plan with Storm Catering facilitates events & gives much needed revenue for maintaining the building. Future plans include re-developing the upper floors, and Heritage Winnipeg creating a first-ever Heritage & Arts Interpretive Centre.
Launching into Aviation History at the Millennium Centre
Located at 389 Main Street
The Millennium Centre (former Bank of Commerce) located at 389 Main Street had over 900 site visits in one day. This building was built for the bank in 1912 by national architects Darling and Pearson. This magnificent landmark building has been preserved for many years and is a grade one designated building. Since 2000, immense progress has been made thanks to the non-profit organization – 389 Main St. Heritage Corporation and a generous donation by Bill & Shirley Loewen. The centre features monumental granite and a marble-banking hall, capped with a stained glass dome 15 meters above.
For 13 years our Executive Director has sat on the Board of the Millennium Centre to help preserve the building and continue to make it economically sustainability. The current business plan with Storm Catering facilitates events & gives much needed revenue for maintaining the building. Future plans include re-developing the upper floors, and Heritage Winnipeg creating a first-ever Heritage & Arts Interpretive Centre.
Manitoba Legislative Building - Roots, Rights, Democracy & Design
Located at 450 Broadway
The Legislative Building, or ‘ledge’ is one of the finest public buildings, not just in Manitoba, but across North America! The ledge formally opened on July 15th, 1920 on the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s confederation. The impressive architecture in Beaux Arts style and the intriguing interior and exterior art have only become more renowned with time. While the Ledge provides tours year round, every year during Doors Open, Winnipegers flock to see the life-sized North American bison on the grand staircase, the Pool of the Black Star beneath the Rotunda antechamber and the other treasures within this Frank W. Simon and Henry Boddington III creation. For the second year in a row, Winnipegers have proudly proclaimed that this Manitoba landmark has the best architecture in the city.
Manitoba Legislative Building - Roots, Rights, Democracy & Design
Located at 450 Broadway
The Legislative Building, or ‘ledge’ is one of the finest public buildings, not just in Manitoba, but across North America! The ledge formally opened on July 15th, 1920 on the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s confederation. The impressive architecture in Beaux Arts style and the intriguing interior and exterior art have only become more renowned with time. While the Ledge provides tours year round, every year during Doors Open, Winnipegers flock to see the life-sized North American bison on the grand staircase, the Pool of the Black Star beneath the Rotunda antechamber and the other treasures within this Frank W. Simon and Henry Boddington III creation.
