1911 Municipal Hall
The Municipal Hall Building was built sometime after November 11, 1911 when a by-law authorizing expenditure was passed in the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia. It allowed for the Council to contract a debt of $12000 for the purchase of the site, to erect a building, and for furnishings. The money was raised through the issue of debentures in $100 sums bearing interest at 5% per annum. Until 1968, it served as the Municipal Hall for the R.M. of Assiniboia. The brick work was done by the firm of Keystone Crowns, and still forms the original exterior of the building.
The second floor functioned as the Municipality of Assiniboia Council Chambers and was also used as a meeting hall by various community groups over its history. During the 1940’s and 50’s the Municipal Hall served as a classroom, taking the overflow from Kirkfield Park School which was located on the north side of Portage Avenue (now the home of Superstore). The enclosed fire escape, typical of the early mid-20th century, can be seen at the rear of the building.
The basement was utilized as a police station, complete with lock-up sometime in the 1960’s.
In 1970 the building re-opened as the Historical Museum of St. James Assiniboia and now contains the history of the St. James-Assiniboia area, including information about the first settlers, the challenging times of the Great War, the depression, World War II, and the emergence and growth of the St. James area. Most of the artifacts come from residents of the St. James-Assiniboia area.