It’s time to get active, explore the Eastman communities, and discover the communities’ interesting and exciting history. You’ll be astonished by how much rich history and cool tidbits there is in your community.

From the stories and documents of the Winnipeg River, the way of life for early pioneers, to the life of a female doctor practicing medicine in the late 1800s to early 1900s illegally, there’s no telling what in your community’s history.

*Disclaimer*

• Stay home if you have been travelling or do not feel well. Here is an excellent resource if you are quarantined. This will help you find people in Manitoba who are willing and able to help you while quarantined. Help Next Door Manitoba
• Go out with people within your household, but practice social distancing (2 metres away) with other groups.
• Stay within your community. Please do not travel to other communities.
• Please practice Leave No Trace. Clean up after yourself and leave nothing behind such as trash and waste.
• Social distancing can be easier in rural communities because we live farther apart from each other. If you live in a condo or apartment, please follow the guidelines provided to you to ensure you keep your social distance from your neighbors.

Dawson Trail Museum

Richer

The charming Dawson Trail Museum is back in action! Call in ahead of time to travel back in time and get a personal experience of the history of the area and the building itself.

Between the years of 1910 and 1913, the Enfant-Jésus Roman Catholic Church (now the Dawson Trail Museum) was built. The reason for the construction of a new church was that the village of Richer was growing, and, with the population number growing, needed a new, larger church.

The building continued as a church until 1995, when, sadly, the Archdioceses of Manitoba closed the doors of Enfant-Jésus Roman Catholic Church due to shrinking attendance.

Even though it is no longer a place of worship, the memory of Enfant-Jésus Roman Catholic Church will never be forgotten. The volunteers of the Dawson Trail Museum keeps the spirit of ‘what has been’ alive, not only for Enfant-Jésus Roman Catholic Church but for all of Richer and area history.

The building and grounds remain in beautiful condition with the awe-inspiring, towering spire, fascinating century-old cemetery, and artifacts and displays that tell the stories of daily life for people that lived in the community a hundred years ago.

And on July 1st, the museum will be holding a birthday party for Canada . . . and you! If your birthday falls on July 1st, there is no better way to spend it then by visiting the museum for some birthday cake, drinks, and history. The party starts at 2:00 PM and will end around 4:00 PM. Please practice social distancing!

The Dawson Trail Museum opens its doors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM by appointment only. Please call before making your plans to visit the museum at 204-422-9369.

Mennonite Heritage Museum

Steinbach

With 36 buildings to see and discover, over 16,000 artifacts to view and learn about, the Livery Barn Restaurant (take-out only), and many events and programs available, it’s no wonder why the Mennonite Heritage Village is a must-see attraction in the Eastman.

This 40-acre site is a turn-of-the-century Russian Mennonite street village. Complete with traditional foods at the Livery Barn Restaurant, farm barn and animal pens where you can meet horses, goats, chickens, sheep, donkeys, and more, a blacksmith shop, and much, much more you get the feeling of being transported back in time.

The Dutch windmill is a completely operational and was built in 2001 by local people in the area and Dutch millwrights. It is a sight to see, and kids love it! Really, how often do you get to view a windmill nowadays?

There is a gallery on the property that showcases the history of the Mennonites starting in the 1500s to today. The Gerhard Ens Gallery Exhibits periodically change, but all exhibits share the stories of the Mennonite history. The Art Hall focuses on displaying local artists’ works, mixing art and history together.

Sprague & District Historical Museum

Sprague

The Sprague & District Historical Museum is opening its doors on June 6th! Visit the museum to learn about the history of Sprague and the communities surrounding them.

Learn cool tidbits like how the town’s name came to be – after a man named Dan Sprague who ventured into the area to collect lumber resources and, in 1885, started the Sprague Lumber Company. The company would send wood to Point Douglas, where a sawmill would cut it into lumber for the high demand for housing construction in Winnipeg.

A few other things that you will see is a 19th-century canoe, an old barbershop, pioneer kitchen and bedroom displays, displays about the early logging day and businesses, a tribute to the local veterans, and much more!

See amazing artifacts, the preservation of the town’s culture, and the hard-working volunteers that make it all happen.

The capacity of small buildings is two people and five people in large buildings. Please call ahead before arriving at the museum – 204-437-2210.

Whitemouth Municipal Museum

Whitemouth

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Whitemouth, Seven Sisters Falls, River Hills, and Elma. From the early beginnings of what is now Whitemouth, historical moments that not only shaped a town, but the Province, to recent years of change, you’ll get lost in a world of history, education, and discovery of fascinating facts, stories, artifacts, and displays.

Discover the story of Dr. Charlotte Whitehead Ross or “The Iron Rose” as some people like to call her. In 1875, Charlotte achieved her goal of receiving her medical certificate from the Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia. From 1881 to 1912, she practiced medicine in the region – even though she was not allowed to hold a medical license in the Province of Manitoba during that time.

Explore a 1929 train caboose, a 1909 pioneer house, antique farm machinery collection, a blacksmith shop and log trapper’s cabin, a military M109 A4 Howitzer tank, and a whole artifact building with special treasures and unique items.

Winnipeg River Heritage Museum

St. Georges

Have you wondered how the Winnipeg River plays a huge part in the making the settlements, villages, and towns into modern civilizations we know today? Or how it even affected all of Canada? The focus of the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum is telling that story. To show visitors the vital role the Winnipeg River played in our history.

For the First Nations, and later on the fur trade, the Winnipeg River was used as an east-west trade and travel route. It was no easy task to navigate and brave the fast-moving water that would also have waterfalls, forcing travelers to portage around.

Soon settlements started to be built along the river. The natural resources that surrounded the river created the perfect location for up and coming communities.

There is much to be learned about the Winnipeg River, the communities around it, and the roles they played in moving Canada forward into what it is today. The Winnipeg River Heritage Museum works hard in telling those stories, in teaching you the steps that were taken.

The museum has artifacts, family memories that have been shared with them (and in turn with you), and many stories that paints a picture of importance.