Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1959 |
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| Location | 494 Taché Ave Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2H 2B2 |
| Type | Civic museum |
| Public transit access | 10 St. Boniface - Tache 56 Aulneau |
Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, also known as the St. Boniface Museum, is a special place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It teaches visitors about the history and culture of the Franco-Manitoban people and the Métis.
This museum is located in a very old building. It is the second oldest building in Winnipeg! The oldest is a store at the Seven Oaks Museum. The museum building used to be a convent for the Grey Nuns. It was started in 1846 and finished in 1851. Over the years, this building has been many things. It was an orphanage, a school, and even a home for seniors. It was also the very first version of the St. Boniface Hospital.
The museum works with important groups like the CMA, the CHIN, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
Contents
History of the Museum Building
The first Grey Nuns arrived in 1844. They lived with Bishop Norbert Provencher while their new home was being built. In December 1846, four nuns moved into the building. At that time, only the outside of the first floor was done. Also, only the floor above the kitchen on the second level was finished.
Manitoba has very cold winters. To keep warm, the nuns used bison pelts (animal skins) to insulate their rooms. They hung these pelts from the ceiling.
Building Construction and Design
When the building was fully finished, it had a basement, two main floors, and an attic. The building was constructed using a special method called the Red River construction method. This method is also known as mortise and tenon or tongue and groove.
What's amazing is that this building was put together without using any nails! The pieces of wood fit together like a puzzle.
Becoming a Museum
In November 1959, the city decided to turn this historic building into a museum. They created a group of people to manage it. Since the late 1960s, the city of Saint-Boniface looked after the museum. Later, in 1971, Saint-Boniface joined with Winnipeg. Since then, the City of Winnipeg has managed the museum.
The convent building was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1958. This means it is a very important historical place for all of Canada.
Louis Riel Exhibit
The museum has a special exhibit dedicated to Louis Riel. He was a very important leader for the Métis people. In this exhibit, you can see many items that belonged to him. These include locks of his hair, his revolver, his shaving kit, and his moccasins. It's a great way to learn about his life and impact.
