Winnipeg River Heritage Museum - St-Georges

The Winnipeg River is widely recognized and sought for its historic significance and attractions and strives to become a Regional Destination Attraction as one of Canada’s Heart Beats. Community pride in our heritage fuels a collective passion to promote the area and its diverse history of how life developed along the Winnipeg River through its rich story telling including photos, exhibits, and interactive programming.

The Winnipeg River has a significant, and often unsung, place in the story of Manitoba.

Trade posts such as Fort Bas de la rivière, Fort Maurepas and Fort Alexander drew adventurous Easterners and Europeans. Missionaries like Father Joachim Allard stationed at Fort Alexander, encouraged Quebec families to come settle here on “the most picturesque spot on the Winnipeg River,” which would become Saint-Georges. As communities grew along the Winnipeg River, the people enjoyed the natural resources it had to offer. Fishing and forestry became staples along with farming.

The Winnipeg River played a pivotal role in the settlement of the western part of Canada. Prior to the “fur trade” and the arrival of the European settlers, the Winnipeg River was a key component to the travel and commerce of the Aboriginal peoples who populated the areas around the River and stretching to the shores of Lake Winnipeg and farther to the west, the south and the north. It also brought the peoples of north western Ontario in contact with the people of Lake Winnipeg, just as in later years it was to become the primary fur trade to and from the East, providing access to the shores of Lake Winnipeg and the land beyond in all directions.