What kinds of toys did Santa bring to kids 50, 100, or 150 years ago? Take a look! 

Iron horse – 1860s 

Canada was becoming increasingly industrialized in the 19th century, making cast iron a much more accessible material for toys like this horse. It would have originally had wheels. 

Ball and cup games – 1800s in Canada 

Variations of ball and cup games could have originated as early at the 14th century! With this reproduction, the ball is flicked from one cup to the other. 

Perpetual motion toy – 1930s 

Perpetual motion toys use momentum to move “by themselves.” This wooden acrobat flips back and forth between the ramps on either side. 

View-Master – 1940s to present 

The View Master made its debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It was inspired by Victorian era stereoscopes which featured 2-D pictures of buildings and wonders of nature from around the world. This one is the Model-C, which was produced between 1946-1955. 

Board games -1960s-80s 

Here are some board games that were most popular in the 1960s-80s. Have you played any of them? 

“Ring the Stick”  

Many Indigenous nations, including the Cree, Inuit, and Mi’kmaq played “ring the stick.” It was mostly just for fun but it also works to improve hand-eye coordination, something that was important for children who would one day have to hunt and provide for their communities. Traditionally, the game was made with sticks, sinew, scraps of leather, or bones. 

This bone “ring the stick” toy was handcrafted by Elder Anthony, a local carver and artist, to display at the museum. 

Craft Instructions: 

Supplies: 

• Large popsicle stick or any other stick
• Yarn or string 
• Pipe cleaner 
• Tape (optional) 

1. Tie one end of your piece of yarn to the stick. Tape in place. 

2. Twist the pipe cleaner into a circle. A larger circle will make the game easier and a smaller one will be more difficult.  

3. Tie the other end of the yarn to the pipe cleaner circle. 

Game Instructions: 

Swing the pipe cleaner ring into the air and try to catch it on the end of the stick. To compete with two or more players, take 10 swings each; the person who catches the ring the most times wins. 

Register for the contest by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com with your name, address and phone number.

Each home will be judged in the following three categories:

Creativity, Innovation, and Overall Presentation.

Let’s light up Westwood and spread some cheer this Holiday Season!

In celebration of the centennial of St. James, the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia presents A Century of Modern Sound with Jason Eastwood. Throughout the years 1921-2021, many entertainers created music that resonated deeply with the citizens living in St. James-Assiniboia and helped shaped their lives.

 Classical guitarist and composer, Jason Eastwood, discusses some of the entertainers and songwriters that have had an impact on the citizens living in St. James-Assiniboia over the last one hundred years.  Jason will also be performing examples of their work on the guitar. These entertainers might have written, produced and arranged their songs in a variety of different ways, from rock, to country, to jazz. However, Jason will be preforming his original songs in a “Troubadour style/Singer-songwriter” style.

This series will end with a song-writing workshop, where Jason walks youth, and people of all ages, through the process of writing music to inspire the next century of great music.

This multipart series consists of pre-recorded videos that will be available to watch throughout the entire duration of Culture Days. Starting September 24, 2021 watch the entire series right here or follow us on Facebook at the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia for weekly installments.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5: Song Writing Workshop 1

Part 6: Song Writing Workshop 2

Part 7: Song Writing Workshop 3

This event is hosted by The Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia in participation with Culture Days Manitoba.

Throughout 2021, the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia is celebrating 100 years of the Municipality of St. James, established in 1921.

Explore this page for educational and entertaining content that teaches about St. James in 1921 and throughout the years of its development.

Explore additional St. James Centennial content with the links below:

A Century of Modern Sound

St. James Then and Now Photographs

Virtual Tour of Bruce Park

Virtual Tour of Rudolph’s Beauty Parlour

Heritage Day 2021: Celebrating 100 Years of St. James

St. James in 1921

Learn about the beginnings of St. James and the formation of the Municipality of St. James in 1921 and then hear from Annie Godkin, wife of Joseph William Godkin the first Reeve of St. James.

Aviation in St. James

Discover the rich history of aviation in St. James.

St. James Pharmacies

Learn about pharmacies in St. James throughout the 1900s and how they impacted the community.

A Short History of the Development of St. James

This year we celebrate 100 Years of the Municipality of St. James established in 1921. The first council meeting of the newly established Municipality was held in the Museum’s 1911 Municipal Hall of Assiniboia. Although recently separated from Assiniboia, the St. James Municipality met here before having their own offices.

The armchair pictured here was presented to George T. Chapman on his retiring as Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia in 1912. The chair, which still sits inside the Museum’s 1911 Municipal Hall, would have been present in the Municipal Hall during the first meeting of the Municipality of St. James.

In the years following World War II the Municipality of St. James completely surpassed the Municipality of Assiniboia. Nearly 2500 new homes were built between 1948 and 1955. St. James was the fastest growing municipality in the greater Winnipeg area, and it soon had all the attributes of a city.

In April 1956, St. James with a population of 26,870 received its City Charter from the province. A huge parade marked the occasion. Speeches, a band concert, a sing a long and fireworks at Bruce Park.

In 1969, after a 49-year separation, St. James and Assiniboia were reunited as the City of St. James-Assiniboia.

Assiniboia had attracted little industry and its tax base was almost entirely residential. The amalgamation of St. James and Assiniboia took effect on January 1^st. The new City of St. James-Assiniboia, Manitoba’s second largest with a population of 67,000, occupied 28,048 acres.

In 1960 a government body known as “Metro”, the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg, was established to perform local services for all Greater Winnipeg Municipalities.

In June 1968, Metro Council declared itself in favour of one government for Greater Winnipeg. Known as Central City, or Unicity, the incorporation of all twelve than existing municipalities and cities into a single city/urban government took effect on January 1, 1972. At the time. St. James-Assiniboia was the largest and most prosperous of the Greater Winnipeg cities and municipalities.

Read more about the history of St. James-Assiniboia here.

In 1912, the R.M. of Assiniboia was moving swiftly into the modern age! The information pamphlet below provides details on the educational facilities, transportation, and infrastructure of the Municipality, just one year after the Municipal Hall which now houses the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia was built.

Join us at the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia for music, crafts, and information on the COVID-19 vaccine. We believe in supporting our community, which means ensuring that everyone has reliable information on the COVID-19 vaccine. With the support of Protect MB we are helping to connect you with the information you need on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Each virtual session will consist of an interactive music workshop or a craft demonstration, and information on the COVID-19 vaccine from Protect MB and information on where you can find further reliable resources on the vaccine.

Craft Sessions

Join us for short sessions consisting of a craft demonstration. Make your very own craft and learn about the COVID-19 vaccine. You can participate with materials from home or pick-up a free craft packet from the museum. Register for the live sessions by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com or stay tuned to our Facebook page to watch the recorded video.

Live Teepee Craft Session on August 25, 2021 at 2pm

Watch the recording of Teepee Craft live session below:

Live Finger Weaving Session on August 27, 2021 at 2pm

Watch the recording of Finger Weaving live session below:

Recorded Keepsake Pouch Session premiering September 10, 2021

Watch the recording of Keepsake Pouch session below:

Musical Session

Join us for an interactive music workshop “Hey, Let’s Write Our Own Music!” led by guitarist and composer Jason Eastwood. What’s it like to write your own music? Jason Eastwood, a composer and songwriter himself, is going to show you how he writes his music so you can too. Jason will also perform a concert of his own music so you can get inspired to write your own. Come listen and learn about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Part 1: Improvisation -Where do ideas come from?

Watch the recording of the September 15, 2021 session below:

Part 2: Instrumentals -All you need is a melody and some chords, but what are those?

Watch the recording of the September 22, 2021 session below:

Part 3: Songs -Sing your heart out. What do you have to say to the world?

Watch the recording of the September 29, 2021 session below:

Quick Links for Vaccine Information

Learn how to book your vaccine appointment.

Find frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn about vaccine myths and facts.

Learn How Vaccines are Developed

A Guide to Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Misinformation

Join a live Virtual Finger Weaving Workshop with the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia on August 27, 2021 at 2pm.

Register by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com and let us know how many craft kits you require. You can also make this craft with supplies from home! You will need yarn in at least two different colours.

Pick up craft kits ahead of time at 3180 Portage Avenue.

Guidelines:

1. We are only accepting registration through email. Please email st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com if you would like to participate.
2. Craft kits must be picked up at 3180 Portage Avenue. Please call 204-888-8706 to confirm hours available for pick-up.

This workshop is made possible through funding from ProtectMB. Have questions about how the COVID-19 vaccines were made and how they work? Visit https://protectmb.ca/vax-facts/ for VAX Facts videos and more.

Join a live Virtual Yarn Doll Craft Workshop with the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia on July 10, 2021 at 2pm.

Register by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com and let us know how many craft kits you require.

Pick up craft kits ahead of time at 3180 Portage Avenue.

Guidelines:

1. We are only accepting registration through email. Please email st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com if you would like to participate.
2. Space in the workshop is limited. Please only request one craft kit per individual participating.
3. If you would like to request a large number of craft kits for a group/organization please contact us for availability.
4. Craft kits must be picked up at 3180 Portage Avenue between July 6 and July 10 from 9am to 5pm.

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