Seven Oaks House Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1952 |
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| Location | 50 Mac St., Winnipeg, MB |
| Type | Historic house |
| Architect | John Inkster |
| Public transit access | 18 North Main / Corydon |
The Seven Oaks House Museum is a special place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It's a museum that shows what life was like long ago. This old house is made of logs and has two floors. It's so important that it's called a Provincial Heritage Site. It's also a Winnipeg Landmark Heritage Structure.
The museum has a store built in the early 1830s. This store is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Manitoba. The main house was built a bit later, from 1851 to 1853. These buildings give us a peek into life at the Red River area in the 1800s. What's really cool is that the house is still on its original spot. Much of the land around it also looks like it did back then. You can visit the museum during the warmer months. It opens from the May-long weekend until Labour Day.
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The Seven Oaks Homestead: A Look Back in Time
The Seven Oaks House Museum is made up of two very old buildings. These buildings help us understand history.
Seven Oaks House: Winnipeg's Oldest Home
Seven Oaks House is known as the oldest house in Winnipeg. It was built between 1851 and 1853. Most of the house is made from strong oak logs. It sits on a solid stone foundation. This house has nine rooms. It was built in a style called Vernacular Georgian. It was the home of John Inkster, who was an important local businessman and politician.
Inkster's General Store: A Historic Shop
Inkster's General Store was built even earlier, around 1826 to 1831. This makes it the oldest building still standing in Winnipeg. It started as a small two-room cottage. Around 1853, it was changed to be a General Store and Post Office. This building is a rare example of early Red River Frame architecture. This building style uses posts and planks.
The name "Seven Oaks" comes from a nearby creek. There used to be seven big oak trees there. This spot also marks where the Battle of Seven Oaks happened in 1816. The Inkster family owned this property for a long time. In 1912, they gave it to the City of Winnipeg. It was meant to be a park and a museum for everyone to enjoy.
John Inkster: Builder and Leader
John Inkster (1799–1874) was the person who owned, designed, and built Seven Oaks House. He was born in Scotland in 1799. In 1821, he came to the Northwest. He worked for the Hudson's Bay Company for a short time. Soon after, he became a farmer in the Red River Settlement. In 1826, he married Mary Sinclair (1804-1892). Mary was a Métis woman. Her father, William Sinclair, was a Chief Factor for the Hudson's Bay Company.
John Inkster became one of the first independent business owners in the area. He ran a shipping business. He also had a general store and several mills. He was a member of the Council of Assiniboia. This was the local government from 1857 to 1868. During the Red River Resistance, Inkster was chosen to represent his community. He was part of Louis Riel's Provisional Government. However, he was sick and could not take part.
Visiting the Museum: What to Expect
Both of the old buildings at Seven Oaks House Museum have been restored. They are open for people to visit. Inside, you can see furniture and items. Some of these are original pieces. They show how the rooms looked when John Inkster and his family lived there.
The museum is open five days a week. You can visit from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. It opens for the season on the May-long weekend. It closes after the Labour Day weekend. You can take tours of the museum. There is no set fee to get in; you can give a donation if you wish. The museum works with other groups. These include the CMA and the CHIN. It is also part of the Virtual Museum of Canada.
