Marine Museum of Manitoba facts for kids
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| Established | 1972 |
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| Location | Selkirk, Manitoba |
| Type | Naval museum |
The Marine Museum of Manitoba is a super cool place in Selkirk, Manitoba. It opened its doors in 1972. This museum collects old ships, tools, and other items that tell the amazing story of how people traveled and moved goods on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River.
The museum shows how transportation changed from around 1850 all the way up to today. It's a great way to learn about the history of boats and shipping in Manitoba!
Contents
What the Museum Does
The Marine Museum is a non-profit group. This means it's run by local people who care about history, not for making money. They get help from the City of Selkirk, local businesses, and even the government.
Their main goal is to find, keep safe, study, and show off their collection of historical items. They want everyone to understand the importance of water transportation in Manitoba's past.
Meet the MS Keenora
The Motor Ship Keenora is a very special boat at the museum. It was built way back in 1897, making it the oldest preserved steamboat in Manitoba. It was also the very first ship the museum got!
The Keenora was left in the Selkirk Slough in 1966. Then, in 1972, a group of twenty business people from Selkirk bought it. In the summer of 1973, something amazing happened. The Keenora was pulled out of the Red River using a special dry dock. Then, it was slowly dragged across the grass of Selkirk Park to where it sits today, right near the park entrance. The Keenora opened for visitors on weekends starting October 20, 1973.
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Steamship "Keenora" at port, in Rainy River District, Ontario (c.1905)
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The "last run" of the MS Keenora, being dragged into position at Selkirk Park (1973)
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The "last run," MS Keenora arrives at museum site Selkirk Park (1973)
Museum Ships and Their Stories
The museum has at least six large ships that you can explore. Each one has its own unique history!
SS Keenora
The SS Keenora was built in 1897. It was first used to carry people and goods on Ontario's Lake of the Woods. Later, it was taken apart, moved by train to Winnipeg, and put back together. It then sailed on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River.
CGS Bradbury
The CGS Bradbury was built in 1915. This ship was an icebreaker, meaning it was strong enough to break through ice on the water. It was owned by the Canadian government.
M/S Chickama II
The M/S Chickama II was built in 1942. This was a smaller steamboat that could travel in shallow waters. It was perfect for the Nelson River and Playgreen Lake north of Lake Winnipeg. Larger ships like the SS Keenora couldn't go there. Passengers and cargo would switch to the Chickama II at Warren Landing to continue their journey to Norway House. It also helped by pulling barges.
M/S Lady Canadian
The M/S Lady Canadian was built in 1944. It was first used to carry fish for Canadian Fish Products. It was built by the Purvis Company and later rebuilt in 1963. After that, Manitoba Hydro used it as a survey ship to study the waters.
M/S Peguis II
The M/S Peguis II was built in 1955. This ship was a barge tug, which means it was designed to pull barges carrying goods or other vessels.
M/S Joe Simpson
The M/S Joe Simpson was built in 1963. This vessel took over the job of the M/S Chickama II, continuing to serve the northern waterways.
Museum Connections
The Marine Museum of Manitoba works with other important groups. These connections help the museum share its stories and learn from others. It is connected with the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
- List of museum ships
