Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DALNAVERT MUSEUM AND VISITORS’ CENTRE
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
(please check against delivery)
Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen: Good afternoon!
As Lieutenant Governor, I am pleased to gather with you here in the heart of Treaty One land and in the homeland of the Red River Metis.
The historical residence in which we currently stand exists within the ancestral and present-day home of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Cree, Dakota, Dene, Nehetho (NE-HET-HO) Nation, Inuit and Red River Metis peoples.
It is a pleasure to be here today to join in this golden anniversary celebration of the Dalnavert Museum. Once the home of Hugh John McDonald and family, this remarkable building offers a unique glimpse of life in the past and, in so doing, honours the heritage that helped set the foundation for the Winnipeg we know and love today.
Through the dedication and hard work of your board of directors, staff and volunteers, the Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre has become a national historic site, preserving one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Western Canada.
The museum invites visitors to explore the beauty and craftmanship of this home, and consider how the ways of the past have blazed a trail to the future of our capital city.
The preservation and maintenance of Dalnavert has always been a true team effort, a labour of love that may not have always been easy, but is undoubtedly worthwhile.
Historic preservation matters. It matters now and it will matter even more in the future. It helps us understand and appreciate our cultural heritage and adds significantly to our shared sense of community. And what a wonderful community we have!
On this special day at Dalnavert, there is much to celebrate. The 50th anniversary milestone is a remarkable achievement in itself.
It is the result of a tremendous effort by Winnipeggers whose vision, dedication, faith and diligence have ensured that this wondrous home will be able to inspire, educate and enlighten visitors for many more decades to come.
Congratulations on his golden anniversary and the wonderful work you have done, and will continue to do, in preserving our heritage. Your efforts are a loving nod to the past, a generous gift to the future and a blessing for today.
Thank you, Merci. Meegwich. Shalom
