Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/514227
48 Places O P E N O U R D O O R S T O T H E PA S T Manitobans delight in sharing stories of our rich, colourful history. Museums and historic sites are treasure troves of curios, cultural artifacts and unique links to the past. Discover some of our not-to-be-missed historic gems. Watch the video at travelmanitoba.com/historic-places. Bonjour VOYAGEURS Hudson's Bay Company arch-rival The North West Company built a trading fort right under its competitor's nose on the banks of the Red River in St. Boniface in 1809 — and rebuilt it in 1817 after Hudson's Bay sympathizers destroyed it. The companies eventually merged, and life is peaceful at the recreated Fort Gibraltar. In summer months, costumed interpreters man the fort, and it's transformed into soiree central during Festival du Voyageur each February. Across Main Street from The Forks, the Upper Fort Garry Heritage Park contains a stone gate and a portion of a wall built by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1830s. Gardens and an interpretive centre are part of its renewal. And just north of Winnipeg, the restored Lower Fort Garry preserves the historic flavour of an 1830s trading hub for settlers, trappers and aboriginal traders. The fort has served as a penitentiary, a Northwest Mounted Police training centre and an asylum. Explore the buildings in summer and stroll the grounds year-round. > fortgibraltar.com > upperfortgarry.com > folfg.com SACRED Sites The St. Boniface Cathedral's dramatic limestone facade has graced the St. Boniface skyline for more than a century. After a fire gutted the structure in 1968, the surviving facade and walls were incorporated into the new cathedral. Overlooking the Red River just steps from the Esplanade Riel pedestrian walkway to The Forks, the facade contains tombs of Roman Catholic bishops, including Joseph-Norbert Provencher, who oversaw construction of the first log chapel on the site in 1818. Métis leader Louis Riel is among the notable Manitobans interred in its cemetery, which is the scene of unique Theatre in the Cemetery tours led by costumed historical characters each summer. Tours are conducted in French and English. North of Winnipeg, enjoy the view during a leisurely drive along River Road that will take you right by St. Andrews on the Red, the oldest stone church still in use in Western Canada. Stroll in the cemetery and explore the church interior, whose ceiling was built in the shape of an inverted York boat. Missionary Rev. William Cockran took charge of construction here in the mid-1840s and at Portage la Prairie's St. Mary's la Prairie Anglican Church, built in 1853. Both churches still hold regular services. > cathedralestboniface.ca > theatredanslecimetiere.com > standrewsonthered.ca HISTORIC ST. BONIFACE CATHEDRAL historic 48