A great opportunity to check out one of our most iconic local attractions
The Marine Museum of Manitoba is inviting residents to check out the ships during their Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries All-Hands On Deck Day on Aug. 13. This event is an opportunity to learn more about our area’s local marine heritage and check out the iconic ships at the entrance to Selkirk Park for free.
“It’s a day to come down and explore the museums free of charge thanks to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and see what the museum is about and what we have in our own backyard,” said Museum Manager Shaylene Nordal.
Nordal said that there’s a lot to look forward to seeing at the museum.
“When (visitors) come down, they can board all six ships, and basically take a step back in time. We’re an all hands on Museum, so you can come and steer the wheel and ring bells and explore all the different rooms that were on the ships back when they were sailing on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River,” she said.
The Marine Museum is in a constant state of improvement with something new to learn or a chance to see something you missed last time. Nordal said to make sure that you check out some of their must see attractions.
“We’ve got a whole bunch of wooden boat models that were donated to us from the Magnusson collection, and they are very detailed, and everybody loves to come look at that. (There’s also) some of the interpretive videos that we have that explain what Captains did and how divers did underwater diving to fix locks and dams. We also have another interactive model where you can actually pretend you’re trying to steer the ship into port and see if you hit land or sandbar or if you actually make it to the dock,” she said.
Nordal says that it’s very important that we continue to share this marine history with those in our community and tell the story of our region.
“Selkirk, back in the day, was the inland port on the prairies. It was the way to get goods up north to Warrens Landing and Norway House. A lot of people in the community, and not just our community, but around the lake, were employed somehow in the history of fishing, on the fish boats, and working on the Keenora. They all had ties to it in one way or another. And, we’re losing that as the years go on, that oral history. It’s nice to have these ships on land preserved where you can come see it and hear some of the stories that we’ve recorded over the years to keep that history alive,” she said.
She believes that the museum would appeal to pretty much everyone as a fun place to check out.
“It’s for all ages. It’s for history lovers. It’s for those who love boats. It’s for families. It’s for everybody,” said Nordal.
Although the museum is completely free to stop by and check out on All-Hands On Deck Day, the museum is also collecting donations on that day, and it’s a particularly good time to make a donation if it’s something that you’ve been meaning to do.
“We definitely are collecting donations, and that goes towards our Heritage Trust Fund, which is held by the Winnipeg Foundation, and we will match all donations that are raised that day and put that into the trust fund as well,” said Nordal.
Donating now does the most that it can for our preserving our community’s heritage.
“Between Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and Selkirk Travel, who is an associate sponsor as well, them opening it up for free admission all day has allowed us to accept donations, match those donations, and preserve that history that people are coming and learning about. So absolutely, it’s a great time to come down and explore, maybe donate. We’re going to have a fundraising barbecue and also will be selling 50/50 tickets to our 50/50 raffle this year,” said Nordal.
She says that her favourite part of this event is having people take the opportunity to check out the museum.
“I just love seeing all the people come through and explore. There are so many that come in who didn’t even know the museum existed. Didn’t know this was in their own backyard. And they come and see the sheer size of the ships, and they can’t believe that we had those here on the prairies,” she said.
Nordal hopes that residents in our region and beyond take advantage of this great opportunity.
“Ships on the prairies were a rare thing, and that was the only way to get things up north. I don’t think a lot of people realize that, and (Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries All-Hands On Deck Day) is just a great way to come explore. Especially when we’re all travelling around and staying close to home this year, just explore and pass on the word that we are here and we’re telling the story of our history,” she said.
Learn more at marinemuseum.ca.
