Eastern Manitoba is land of the explorer, the river systems have been to the core of life in the region for centuries. The indigenous people established themselves along these waterways, which had an abundance of fish, game, edible plants and other necessities of life. 

Today, remnants and artifacts of the indigenous people and settlers are still being discovered by archaeologists and first nation communities. Visit our historical Eastman Mustseeums and discover a region that is open to explore.

Anola & District Heritage Museum

Anola is a peaceful, quiet little village on Hwy 15 and the home of children’s entertainer Al Simmons. Originally named Free Port the name was changed in 1912.

The Anola & District Heritage Museum is a must see which houses to artifacts and buildings from the villages early days at the turn of the century. Among the buildings is the Anola School No. 1602, used by the Anola School District after its establishment in February 1912. You’ll also see a blacksmith shop, an early home, and artifacts showing how life was in the early 1900’s.

This year they’re starting a new exhibit on laundry. Old washing machines, washboards, and great stories. The seasons grand opening is on June 3rd which will be a fun day with a petting zoo, face painting, food, silent auction and 50/50!

Broken Beau Historical Society – Pioneer Village Museum

The Pioneer Village is in the bustling town of Beausejour and the name says it all. It’s a small pioneer village where you can experience the challenges of the (mostly) Polish, Ukrainian, and German pioneers that settled here at the turn of the century.

Located on the grounds is a railway station, barbershop, blacksmith shop, school, community hall, and store just to name a few. You’ll definitely want to check out the Glass Works site which is the site of the first glass container factory in Western Canada founded in 1906.

They have a couple of projects they’re working on including the Schreyer Barn and the Tyndal Elevator. Find out more on their website.

The museum holds several events throughout the summer including Heritage Day on August 12th. Find out more on their Facebook page which they update regularly.

Cook’s Creek Heritage Museum

Built in 1937 the Cook’s Creek Heritage Museum and is situated in the oldest settlement of Galician people in Western Canada, and is housed in the old Roman Catholic Rectory of St.Michael's Parish in Cooks Creek.

The museum tells the story of hardships faced by early settlers from Eastern Poland, Western Ukraine, and other Eastern European Slavic countries. Featuring artifacts and 5 buildings – The Main Museum Building, Bannish Home, Blacksmith and Woodworking Shop, Restored Pioneer Home, and the Wayside Chapel – you’ll see up close the lives the early pioneers lived.

Visit their website, as they have a great summer of events scheduled and you can book group tours.

Dawson Trail Museum

In 2008 the RM of Sainte-Anne, Manitoba designated the Church of the Enfant-Jésus Heritage Site a Municipal Heritage Site, paving the way for the transition of the church to a rural museum in the summer of 2015. Officially renamed The Dawson Trail Museum in the summer of 2015, the site features a Romanesque style church, a century-old cemetery, artifact displays and guided tours.

During the summer the museum hosts a series of Summer Markets. Plus you can enjoy the town of Richer!

Franklin Museum

The Franklin Museum was constructed in 1879 as an Episcopal Methodist Church, the building was purchased by the Anglican Parish of Dominion City in 1908 and relocated to its present site in Dominion City in the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin. It was renamed All Saints, expanded in size and consecrated in 1912 by Archbishop Samuel Pritchard. It is a good example of modest Gothic-styled architecture. The central tower, with its pointed arched doorway and decorative wooden trim, is topped by a tall peaked steeple and cross. Pointed arched windows with delicate tracery, wooden mouldings and stained glass in the sanctuary enhance the exterior. All Saints Anglican Church closed in the mid-1960s and, in 1985, the building was purchased by the Franklin Craft Club. In 1992, it became a community museum.

While you're in the area, enjoy fishing on the Roseau River and a hike on the Crow’s Wing Trail! 

Gardenton Ukrainian Museum

The Gardenton Ukrainian Museum is situated in the village of Gardenton in the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn. One of its buildings is the former Dover School. It was purchased by the Wachna family from the Boundary School Division about 1970-1971 when the new school in Vita was completed. The Wachna family donated it to the museum.

Lac du Bonnet & District Museum

Learn about the rich history of Lac du Bonnet and the Winnipeg River. The area economy was built on mining, the fur trade, transport, and the wood industry. Come see artifacts and photos that tell the stories of the people and settlers of the area.

The Lac du Bonnet & District Museum is housed in a log cabin which is a municipally-designated historic site in the RM of Lac du Bonnet. It was built around 1937 by Norwegian immigrant Hans Erickson for his daughter Linnea following the style of workers’ cottages at the nearby Pinawa hydroelectric dam site. Erickson was one of the workers who helped to construct the generating facility and cut wood for the plant’s boilers in winter. He was one of the first to receive a homestead grant and he supplied the company store with milk from his farm. The modest cottage is the only remaining log structure from an era that ended in 1951 with the closure of the hydro installation and abandonment of the nearby town.

The building stands at Halliday Park where it is operated as the Lac du Bonnet and District Museum. Some restoration of the building was done as part of the Manitoba Prairie Icons Project.

Follow them on Facebook to see the summer events planned.

Mennonite Heritage Museum

Explore a turn-of-the-century Russian Mennonite street village on the 40-acre Mennonite Heritage Museum site. Taste traditional Mennonite fare at the museum’s Livery Barn Restaurant, and explore a classic Mennonite housebarn and a fully operational Dutch windmill during their summer season. View historic and heirloom treasures from Poland and Russia to Canada displayed in the permanent and Gerhard Ens galleries, and find that perfect souvenir at Village Books and Gifts, all open year-round in the Village Centre.

They frequently add new and interesting exhibits and displays. Check out their event calendar and follow on Facebook to keep up with their busy event schedule.

Midwinter Heritage Museum

The Midwinter School Museum is a 100 yr old one-room schoolhouse, fully restored. It holds memorabilia of bygone days, numerous antique items & artifacts.

Organized formally in June 1917 and a school building was erected on property donated by Charles Midwinter, on the southeast quarter of 4-8-14 east of the Principal Meridian, in what would later become the Rural Municipality of Reynolds. The school closed in June 1968 and the building was purchased by the communities of Glenn, McMunn, and East Braintree.

The building, now a community museum, became a municipally-designated historic site in 1990. The museum is open each July and August, on Saturdays between 2 and 4 PM, and Sundays between 1 and 5 PM. Appointments at other times, year-round, may be arranged.

Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys

Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys was built in 1900, this building was a teaching convent owned by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. It served as a public school for grades 1 to 10 and as a girls' boarding school for 60 years.

Visit a traditional classroom complete with a mannequin wearing a nun's period habit. View the parlor, which served as a reception area for the guests, the chapel, Mother Superior's small bedroom, along with photos and artifacts from the community and surrounding area.

This historic convent is a reminder of our heritage and serves to recognize the important contribution made by the Sisters in the development of the village of St-Pierre-Jolys and surroundings. The building was declared a provincial heritage site in 1989.

On the museum grounds are also located the “Cabane d'mon oncle Armand”, Sugar-Shack, and the Goulet House – “Maison Goulet”.

Philip’s Magical Paradise

A mysterious force insists that you must take the time to stop and tour Western Canada’s only Museum of Magic and Illusion, Phillip's Magical Paradise.

Even before you enter, the magic is around you.  Look carefully, as the key to this magic castle may be found in the sidewalk.  Once inside, you will possibly be the closest in life to ‘Magic’s most inner kept secrets!’ On your way out, don’t forget a souvenir from the gift shop!  As you leave, you will be taking a wealth of magic knowledge.

The Monseigneur-Taché Historic Site 

The Monseigneur-Taché Historic Site is a 20-acre municipally designated historic site in the scenic hamlet of Ste. Genevieve, Manitoba. The site comprises a well-preserved historic 1918 wooden church that dominates the main street, and a presbytery built in the same year, a vintage storage building, as well as a quaint and well-kept parish cemetery. The setting is spacious and bucolic with a mix of natural forest, fields and landscaped grounds with picnic tables. It is the Rural Municipality of Tache’s only historic site and museum.

Sprague & District Historical Museum

The Sprague & District Historical Museum highlights the history of the Sprague area. Some points of interest include a mock-up of a CN telegraph station from the 1940’s, a pioneer kitchen and bedroom displays, displays featuring the early logging days and businesses of Sprague, as well as churches and military history.

During the summer months, guided tours are available. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. Reservations for groups and individual tours are welcome.

Whitemouth Municipal Museum

The Whitemouth Municipal Museum includes machinery, an original trapper's shack, two log buildings, a Christ Anglican church 1905, an artifacts building, train caboose 1929, antique tractors, a historic home 1910, a two-man rail car with a set of tracks, farm equipment, and small household items. A cairn honours Dr. Charlotte Ross, “The Iron Rose.” Heritage Day is in September. Open July and August. Visit them on Facebook for hours of operation.