Advocacy
The Charleswood Historical Society (CHS), and its members, advocate for Charleswood. The Society works to ensure that Charleswood’s interests are represented to government and to take advantage of grants and programs that help keep Charleswood a vibrant community. The CHS ensures that Charleswood history is commemorated through the placement of monuments, street and park names, plaques and other historical markers.
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CHS actively spearheaded fundraising, planning and installation of the Cenotaph to honor those Charleswood residents who served Canada and gave their lives in both world wars. Dedicated on September 12, 1995 – the Cenotaph commemorates the 50th Anniversary of VE Day WW1 and WW2 with 20 lives lost and helps publicize the Charleswood Legion’s Tribute Wall.
The Cenotaph’s six-foot block of Tyndall Stone has a 3’ by 4’ inset of black African granite. On it are inscribed the names, regimental numbers and cemetery of two soldiers from the First World War and 18 from the Second World War, and their ages, some as young as 17 years old. CHS has submitted many names of the war dead in the community.
The CHS did valuable background work to support the new Welcome to Charleswood Sign project, including providing the history of previous signs, plus contacting and liaising with both past and present City Councillors.
To share and promote the history of Charleswood, CHS has initiated the design, installation and repair of historic markers, plaques and interpretive signs in our local parks. These greet visitors to “The Passage”, Charleswood’s historic Assiniboine River ford (1700s?-1870) and ferry crossing (1870-1907), plus Kelly Landing at Berkeley Street North and the west end of Southboine Drive.
Further West, interpretive signs at Caron House (1904) and the St. Charles Ferry (1880’s-1959) tell the stories of one of last riverside farm homes in Winnipeg and the busy ferry established by the Caron family. CHS has also cleared up the sight lines of this ferry site to view historic St. Charles Church and cemetery on the north shore.
Looking ahead, we could consider a Charleswood Citizens’ Walk of Fame along the Bill Clement Parkway, recognition of Roblin Park (established through the Veterans Land Act), interpretive sign for the historic long river lots, Beauchemin Park and Wheat/Weak City (near the Perimeter) as well as researching the site of the Baie St. Paul Rd.
For many years, CHS has had a high level of success in presenting names to the City of Winnipeg for streets and parks to honour veterans who died in World War II, longtime Charleswood residents, as well as contributors to the betterment of our community.
CHS Members volunteered for this local event in 2024.
Annually in May CHS welcomes an increasing number of visitors to tour historic Caron House, the St. Charles Ferry Site and the Charleswood Museum at Doors Open Winnipeg.
Years ago, CHS rescued Caron House from the wrecker’s ball and has restored this heritage home, recognizing house supporters with a monument. Grant funding for projects has come from the (Land Dedication Reserve) – City of Winnipeg, Thomas Sill Foundation, the Winnipeg Foundation.