Explore Dalnavert: Victorian History, Métis Heritage & Unique Tours

Friends of Dalnavert Museum — Winnipeg heritage tours and events

Friends of Dalnavert Museum supports a range of historic-house tours, downtown walking tours, lectures, workshops, and family events in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This collection of public programs highlights Victorian domestic life, Red River Métis history, medical and social histories of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and seasonal experiences for families and community groups.

Key experiences and tours

• Darning Workshop — A beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop teaching traditional mending techniques to extend the life of clothing and textiles.
• Dementia-Friendly Tours — Accessible programming designed to welcome participants with memory challenges and their caregivers.
• Homeland of the Red River Métis: Downtown Winnipeg Walking Tour — A guided walk exploring Métis origins, key downtown sites, and the role of Louis Riel in regional history.
• Poverty and Prosperity: A Walk Down Early 1900s Broadway — A 60-minute walk through downtown Winnipeg covering urban growth, class, and economic change.
• Behind the Ropes Tour — Small-group, curator-led access to rooms and artifacts not normally on display, led by collections registrar Inés Bonacossa.
• Lecture Series: The Language of Dalnavert — Monthly curator talks that examine Victorian fashion, silver, and material culture from an insider perspective.
• Dalnavert on Drugs — A focused look at Victorian medicine, societal beliefs, and historic drug use (recommended for ages 16+).
• Family and Halloween Events — Seasonal offerings such as Haunted Halloween Tea Party, Victorian Halloween Bash, and child-friendly treasure hunts and crafts.
• Death at Dalnavert & Haunted Tours — Programs examining Victorian mourning practices, spiritualism, and the house's reputation for ghost stories.

Why visitors choose Dalnavert in Winnipeg

• Local history focus: Programs interpret Winnipeg’s past, including the Red River Métis story and urban development themes.
• Curator-led insight: Some tours are led by museum staff and the collections registrar, offering close engagement with artifacts and conservation practices.
• Range of formats: Options include short 45–60 minute tours, longer special events, hands-on workshops, and walking tours across downtown Winnipeg.
• Accessible programming: Dementia-friendly tours and family events create opportunities for diverse audiences to participate.

Planning a visit

• Book in advance for limited-capacity tours like Behind the Ropes and small-group lectures.
• Check age recommendations: certain programs (for example, Dalnavert on Drugs) are more appropriate for older teens and adults.
• Combine a museum tour with a downtown walking tour for a fuller sense of Winnipeg’s cultural landscape.

Keywords to know

Dalnavert Museum, Winnipeg tours, Victorian house tours, Red River Métis walking tour, dementia-friendly museum, family Halloween events, collections registrar tours, historic house workshops, Dalnavert darning workshop.

Friends of Dalnavert Museum offers a mix of educational, interpretive, and community-focused programming that highlights regional heritage, museum best practices, and lived experiences from Manitoba’s past. Whether seeking walking tours focused on Métis history, curator insights into objects, or hands-on darning classes, the organization provides grounded, historically informed programs in Winnipeg.