More funding for renovations announced as St. Boniface Museum celebrates building's 175th anniversary

The St. Boniface Museum is getting some additional funding as work to restore one of Winnipeg's oldest buildings continues. The federal government announced $400,000 in supports during an event Monday celebrating 175 years since the building — a former Grey Nuns convent and mission house — was completed. A religious blessing was among the ceremonies held at the museum's main building on Taché Avenue, on the same date as nuns blessed the convent in 1851. The building has been closed to the public since 2024 to allow for major renovations. The families of people who founded the museum in 1967 said Monday they hope the restoration allows future generations to enjoy an important part of Manitoba's Francophone heritage. As children, "we used to come here on our bikes … roam around until someone chased us out," said Dennis St. Hilaire, whose father, Joseph, was one of the museum's founding members. His great-aunt served as superior in the convent. "It's smaller than I remember, but the historical value is really touching," St. Hilaire said. "It's just something that no other area has that we have … and for kids, new generations to come and see that we have a history that's unique and and strong." The federal government said the funding will allow the museum to expand its cultural programming by hosting exhibitions, and make the building more accessible. Before Monday, Ottawa had already committed nearly $2 million for the project, with hopes it would reopen ahead of the 175th anniversary. "We discover sometimes issues along the way," said St. Boniface—St. Vital MP Ginette Lavack, who announced the additional funding on behalf of the heritage ministry. "Projects such as these require the resources they need. And so the community will continue to work together to make that happen." The museum has been running a gift shop and Louis Riel-related exhibit inside the old St. Boniface City Hall at 219 Provencher Blvd. since the Taché Avenue building closed in 2024. Cindy Desrochers, executive director of the museum, said the institution has 12 months' worth programming to commemorate the 175 anniversary. "There will be something for everybody," she said. " And once we are fully completed with all of our exhibit installations, we will have a larger party in the summer time of 2027." The $400,000 will be disbursed over the next two years, the federal government said in a news release.