History in Manitoba, Canada is best discovered visiting anyone of the many museums, heritage sites, communities and historical sites located throughout the province. There are all types of museums in the province of Manitoba. Historical, machinery, agricultural, wildlife, Icelandic, Inuit, First Nation museums and more. Some require a paid admission while others, usually in smaller towns, are free of charge or by donation.
History in the province of Manitoba, Canada is well protected, preserved and on display. Many of the historical forts, trading posts, batteries and homesteads are designated historical sites nationally or provincially. In many of the older communities there are heritage buildings and historical buildings located in the downtown core of the communities. Some downtown buildings date back to the 1800s. Some communities are decorated with heritage plaques providing walking tours and some historic sites are entertained with costumed actors representing pioneers and our First Nation peoples.
In the western region of Manitoba, Canada history is protected and remembered in the Criddle/Vane Homestead Provincial Heritage Park located south of Brandon, Manitoba. It is a 130 hectare site protecting two historic homesteads dating back to 1882. Margaret Laurence Home is a Provincial Heritage Site and museum located near the community of Neepawa, Manitoba. Margaret Laurence wrote books including the Stone Angel, The Prophet's Camel Bell, Fire Dwellers, The Diviners & This Side Jordan.
The East Gate at the entrance of the Riding Mountain National Park is a National Historic Site built in the 1930s. It is the last national park log entrance still operating in Canada.
In the central region of Manitoba, Canada Fort La Reine is a historic site and museum located east of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Throughout the museum and historic site are many heritage buildings depicting the First Nation, pioneer, military and agricultural history of the region.
In the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada the Forks National Historic Site of Canada is the main event, tourism and historical centre of Winnipeg located near the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. There are tours, attractions, shopping, walking trails, monuments and restaurants. Staying in the City of Winnipeg there are some historical buildings located in Assiniboine Park like the 1914 Palm House, 1907 Formal Garden and the 1929 Pavilion Gallery Museum (artifacts and art).
North of the City of Winnipeg is the interlake region. There are more historical sites and destinations including the oldest stone church in Western Canada (1845 St Andrew's-on-the-red Anglican Church) and the 1872 Little Britain United Church. Museums and other historic sites in the interlake region include the Ashern Pioneer Museum, Creamery Museum (Eriksdale), New Iceland Heritage Museum, (Gimli), Maritime Museum of Manitoba & the Kenosewun Heritage Park (Lockport) and the Lundar Museum. Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site of Canada is located near the community of Selkirk, Manitoba. It is the only intact stone fur trading post in North America. There are period actors, tours, guides, gift store and theatre.
Located near the community of Churchill, Manitoba are some historic sites like the Eskimo Museum, the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada (accessed by boat or helicopter only), York Factory National Historic Site of Canada and the Cape Merry Battery Historic Site of Canada.