Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre

186 reviews

61 Carlton St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1N9, Canada

www.dalnavertmuseum.ca

+12049432835

About

Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre is a Historical place museum located at 61 Carlton St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1N9, Canada. It has received 186 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars.

Photos

Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday12-4PM
Wednesday12-4PM
Thursday12-4PM
Friday12-4PM
Saturday12-4PM
SundayClosed

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre: 61 Carlton St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1N9, Canada

  • Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre has 4.6 stars from 186 reviews

  • Historical place museum

  • "I haven't been back to this museum for a couple of decades"

    "It’s one of those hidden Winnipeg gems"

    "My wife and I stumbled upon the Dalnavert Museum in Winnipeg and it quickly became one of our favorite hidden gems in the city"

    "Dalnavert is a wonderful living museum of the Victorian era in Winnipeg"

    "I am extremely biased as I passionately love this heritage building, its architecture, its decorative arts and its varied events throughout the year"

Reviews

  • Daniel Roscoe

I haven't been back to this museum for a couple of decades. It is the home of Hugh MacDonald, son of Sir John A MacDonald, first prime Minister of Canada. He moved to Winnipeg to avoid his father, it is said, and set up home in this custom built mansion of the time. This is definitely an upper crust abode of its day with servant's quarters and like that, but was also the epitome of house building tech of its time. It has had a storied history and was at one point heavily modified to serve as a rooming house but was rescued from demolition and restored to its original beauty by a dedicated group of volunteers in the 80s and 90s. There are lots of good stories about that and some fun history, which my family became familiar with as my daughter and mother in law worked as guides and animators there for several years. This served me well and triggered the recent visit as I was trying to describe a problem I was working on with stretching an embroidery work piece I was working on and my daughter told me of an 19th century device at the museum that had been used to stretch the lace curtains back into shape after washing. They very kindly allowed me access to the basement storage area and the "curtain stretcher " device so I could measure it and photograph it for my 21st century art work. It is a neat place, I recommend visits at each season as they reconfigure the exhibits to give you a view into that time of Canada's youth. As an interesting side point. While working as a guide once, my daughter kept company with Hugh McDonald's son who regaled her with tales of visiting Ottawa and his grandfather. Not everyone can say they have heard first hand stories about one of their country's founders.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Ir Ke (Nickname)

It’s one of those hidden Winnipeg gems. You don’t hear much about it. I think it needs to be advertised more. What a wonderful place it is! Came here for a Teddy Bear tea party and just live it! The staff is super friendly and loves what they do. Kids enjoy Tex their scavenger hunt, crafts and treats, so are moms enjoyed their coffee while kids were entertained. And the place itself… so much history, beauty, details and textures. I just wanted to touch everything and take endless pictures. Definitely coming back for the “behind ropes” tour.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • A C

My wife and I stumbled upon the Dalnavert Museum in Winnipeg and it quickly became one of our favorite hidden gems in the city. As architecture and history lovers, we were both amazed to see the entire building so well-preserved, giving us a glimpse of Winnipeg's past. Emily, our tour guide, was super informative and took us through the house, sharing not just the story of the building but also some fun little anecdotes. We had such a great time that we can't wait to go back!
Visited on
Weekend

  • Taylor D

Dalnavert is a wonderful living museum of the Victorian era in Winnipeg. The house belonged to Sir Hugh John MacDonald, former premier of Manitoba and son of Sir John A. MacDonald. Tour guides tend to focus on the lifestlye and culture of Victorian era Winnpeg, while making note that the figures who originally walked the halls were complex people, who shortly after the execution of Louis Riel, began asserting their political will in ways that still impact the city today.

  • Susan Moffatt

I am extremely biased as I passionately love this heritage building, its architecture, its decorative arts and its varied events throughout the year. Right now check out its seasonal decorations and Ron Robinson's reading of The Christmas Carol which is both dramatic and inspirational and very much connected to today.The volunteers and staff are incredible and knowledgeable. It's fun to be there!!! CHECK IT OUT!!! Its gift shop is fabulous, too.

  • Lise

I had a fantastic visit with our guide Phil, who is passionate about his subject and knows how to tell fascinating stories! As I am passionate about the 19th century myself, we had a very interesting conversation. The museum is beautiful and has been renovated and furnished with great care, the daily life from that time has been very well rendered. I've visited several Victorian houses and this one is my favorite by far! :)

  • Don Muir

Had the most wonderful personal tour of the museum by......me remember a name, nope. Thank you to all the staff. I was on Carlton St many times in the 50's and 60's visiting grandparents a few apartments down, but I don't remember this large house. It would have been the boarding house back then, I think. It is restored to its original splendor now. Very interesting with quite a history. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

  • Leif Norman

Experience the year 1895 from a rather upper class perspective. Filled with objects, furniture and artifacts from the era, this house was a rooming house in the 1970’s and just about got torn down. Lovingly restored and luckily still full of original plumbing fixtures and radiators.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Rodney

A real treat. The house is beautiful and very well maintained with a lot of furniture and items from its hay day. Our guide was so good and knowledgeable. I not only enjoyed the house but learned a lot about the history of the time and the people. Well worth a visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • Janice Chau

One of the historical landmarks to visit in Winnipeg. It's similar to places like Rutherford House in Edmonton. You're not allowed to wander freely, a staff member must accompany you but mine was very friendly to chat with. My tour took about 20 minutes. I would have liked more written information put up to provide background on the rooms and contents.

  • kelly Olson

The house it's self is absolutely beautiful! I loved the presentation and detailed knowledge of the guide. Who, by the way, was phenomenal. It's such a wonderful piece of history. Going to take another tour in the near future.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Anna Med

Very interesting. We are happy we went. We prepaid for a tour, very reasonable rate for a historic tour. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend not taking any large bags, spaces get pretty tight.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Mary-Jo Hantelmann

Attended the Empty House event and was my first time to Dalnervert Museum. The history of the house was very interesting. The only bad thing was the flashlights we used could have been brighter. It was hard to see some of the house artifacts. Enjoyed the event and will go again to the museum

  • Pablo Listingart

Beuatiful museum. Greatly restored with artifacts from the 1890s. The volunteer, Phil, who was our guide was really great bot only at telling stories but also interacting with our kids. The visit was one of the best we experienced in the city and we definitely recommend it.

  • Beth Nordheim-Baker

The museum was very well kept up and furnished in the period it was built. The guide was very knowledgeable and gave a great history of the house and Winnipeg at the time.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Karen Miller

Their Halloween events and children's events are not to be missed. There is obviously a lot of care and planning put into these events. My kids have a fantastic time.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Rae Gibson

It's a place full of history and we got to see a few rooms with interpretive ppl dressed in clothes from long ago. We couldn't walk through the whole place because they had a telling of The Christmas Carol by characters in the play.

  • Angel PG

Jean, our tour guide, was remarkable and new the history of the home very well. So glad I finally went and took my daughter. We both learned some new history of this home and the family who lived there. Beautiful home!

  • Kevin MacKinnon

Did the Dracula ReVamped mystery night. Was fun and interesting, although not quite as scary and creepy as I had hoped. The house is amazing and we will return during the day to find out more about the history of it.

  • J Ellis

Beautiful, fascinating old historic home. Our guide was informative and enthusiastic, happily answering any questions we had. The tour took about an hour, wasn't rushed, and was very affordable. Well worth the visit.

  • Alec McMillan

The Open Doors tour is just of 1st level, will definitely be going back for a full tour. Lost of history to be learned.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • Pier-Luc Savaria

In depth presentation of the house by several volunteers. Enjoyed the temporary exhibit of costumes tied to the 1919 strike. Will have to come back around holidays for the different setup!

  • Giancarlo Zeni

Beautiful and well-kept Museum featuring the original architecture and furniture of a Victorian upper-class family. The staff is great and will lead you through a very informative tour.

  • M. S. Zhang

I took my son to the museum on Oct. 17. The guide Emily was very knowledgeable, nice and funny. We certainly learned a lot about the life style of people of early 1900's. Thanks!

  • Michael Kowalson

Wonderful piece of Manitoba history. We rented the visitor space for a function and the service was wonderful. Thomas was especially helpful in ensuring we had all we needed.

  • Kelsey A

Really neat house turned small museum. Like stepping back in time to the Victorian era. All interpreters were very knowledgeable. Very reasonable admission. Worth a visit.

  • Zhivka Radeva

Wonderful place to visit. Good and knowledgeble guide, warm and helpful receptionist.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Sydnye Berard

The house itself was gorgeous and our guide was very knowledgeable on a wide variety of subjects tied to the house itself and the period in which it comes from.

  • Chloe Brand

Staff were very friendly and knew a lot about the house. They showed us every inch of the house. I will definitely bring people back to show them the house.

  • Sarah Abbott

Good measures in place for covid, with tour appointments. Halloween scavenger hunt for the kids was enjoyable and a neat experience for the adults too.

  • Miriam Neuman

Loved Dracula Unearthed. Super fun creeping around an old mansion in the dark with flashlights on Halloween! (if you found this helpful click "like"!)

  • Brianna Kaldor-Mair

This is a great little museum. Tours are mandatory, but the tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. The house itself is beautifully restored.

  • Mischevious Wolf

Had no idea this place even existed. Will go back to view the whole house. Very interesting tour that was offered during doors open Winnipeg.

  • Eric Friesen

Went for Doors Open Winnipeg, sure glad we did. Well restored and great tour. A lot of care was put into this piece of history and it shows.

  • Kevin Adam

Fantastic building and wonderful tour guide (Phil). Very knowledgeable and energetic. Made the tour and building that much more enjoyable.

  • Sharon Miller

We really enjoyed learning the history of the house and our city. The wood work and architecture is amazing!

  • Laura Ross

Great staff and volunteers. One can even purchase antique type items that have been donated.

  • Daniel Li

Extremely detailed tour guide, faithful replication of Victorian era lifestyles

  • Margaux Miller

Wonderful Halloween event. I refer to it as an "adult Halloween experience".

  • Kelly Seifried

Beautiful home. Excellent guide.

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