About the Museum

Built in 1895, the Dalnavert Museum is an ornate Victorian mansion nestled in the heart of Winnipeg. This unique museum features a “day in the life” feel, transporting visitors back to the 19th century the second they step inside.

Dalnavert was home to the Macdonald family, comprised of parents Agnes “Gertie” and Hugh John Macdonald, Isabella “Daisy” (Hugh’s daughter from his first marriage), and John “Jack” (son of Agnes and Hugh). The household had two live-in staff, one cook and one maid. For a time, a live-in nurse named Hattie was hired to care for Agnes. The museum is named for the Scottish birthplace of both of Hugh John’s grandmothers.

Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre (DMVC) has been a national historic site since 1990 and one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Western Canada. Today the museum fosters engagement with history, culture, and much more.  Visit us to see how!