Dalnavert stands as a show of wealth from a bygone era. At the time of construction in 1895, it was nothing short of a technical marvel with central hot water heating, plumbing and electricity. Typical of the Queen Anne style, the facade is largely asymmetrical. A large veranda wraps around the front, covered in gingerbread detailing, while stained glass windows can be spotted on the second floor.

The house was Hugh John MacDonald’s, a prominent lawyer and son of Canada’s first Prime Minister John A. MacDonald.

MacDonald and family had been in Winnipeg for over a decade by 1895, and hired local architect Charles Wheeler. For all its luxury, the $10,500 cost was nearly ten times more than your average family home at the time!

The family remained until 1929 when it was turned into residential apartments. The neighbourhood slowly changed; neighbouring Victorian mansions were torn down, replaced by modernist high-rises of the 1960s. Plans surfaced to demolish Dalnavert in 1970 – but the Manitoba Historical Society swept in and purchased the building.

Spared the wrecking ball but now vacant, it took four years and $559,000 to restore the house to its original state. Today, Dalnavert operates as a small museum with a big history.