The 2013 Local History Buff's Holiday Gift Guide

Here is my fourth annual gift guide for the local history buff in your life !

There are books, of course. Lots and lost of books. For a number of titles new and old check out my Manitoba History Bookstore. Here are some new titles for 2013 !

Hot off the presses is Stuck in the Middle: Dissenting Views of Winnipeg. Journalist Barley Kives and photographer Bryan Scott take a tour of the highs and lows of everyday Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Architecture Foundation has been busy this year. They have published three glossy, pocket-sized paperbacks of their most popular walking tours: Broadway Modern; Brutalist Architecture in Winnipeg and University of Manitoba Modern.

Also new this year is 300 Years of Beer: An Illustrated Guide to Brewing in Manitoba. Meticulously researched and full of many never before seen images of breweries and beer memorabilia from across Manitoba.

Still around is Russ Gourluck's 2012 offering: Silver Screens on the Prairies. Be sure to check out his previous works and pick them up before they're out of print. The Mosaic Village: An Illustrated History of Winnipeg’s North End and books on the Winnipeg Tribune, Eaton's and Portage Avenue. 

Also from last year,  Imagining Winnipeg a collection of L. B. Foote's most interesting photographs of early Winnipeg, many never before published.

Manitoba History is the journal of the Manitoba Historical Society and publishes three times per year.  It comes free with a membership in the MHS. Contact them about single-issue and back copy sales.

 

No more snickering because The Beaver is now called Canada's History Magazine. They also publish Kayak: Canadian History for Kids. Both are produced right here in Winnipeg !

CLOTHING and TEXTILES

It's Winnipeg. It's winter. It's gonna get cold. Who wouldn't want an HBC blanket ? If that's a little pricey for you, HBC has a range of products from t-shirts to Swiss Army knives and even dog sweaters.

Who personifies local history more than city council's living relic Harvey Smith ? Colin Craig is the brainchild behind these tees and hoodies for men and women. Beard trimming kit not included.

If you want to reach back further into our history, check out the St. Boniface Museum Gift Shop which has a wide range of items, including Metis flags, voyageur sashes and Keepin' It Riel tees.

Since we're on the topic of Metis historical figures, don't forget Cuthbert Grant ! Grant tee shirts are available for $20  from Cathy.

ET CETERA

The Winnipeg Architecture Foundation's button pins are a perfect stocking stuffer. There are over a dozen on offer available in packs of three or individually.

Still not sure what to get ? How about adopting an artefact from the Manitoba Museum ? It costs between $35 and $500, depending on the object, and you can switch it up year after year !

Stained glass ! St. Matthews Anglican Church is being converted into the West End Commons, a 26 suite housing project. Many of their ca. 1944 stained glass windows have been removed and are being sold as a fundraiser for the conversion.

Since we're on the subject of building materials, why not some ca. 1906 pressed tin ceiling tiles ? The Winnipeg Firefighters Museum is selling them. Hundreds are on offer in a number of different designs.

MUSEUM SHOPS

Many museums have their own shops where you're sure to find something unique. Here are links to some of them: St. Boniface Museum - Manitoba Museum - Dalnavert. 

MEMBERSHIPS

I fall else fails, remember that museums and heritage groups run on shoestring budgets and are always seeking new members and donations. Why not buy someone a membership or make a donation on their behalf ?

You can find a complete list of museums here. Some deserving groups:

Heritage Winnipeg - Manitoba Historical Society - Daly House Museum (Brandon) - St. Vital Historical Society - Western Canada Aviation Museum - Musée St. Joseph Museum - Winnipeg Railway Museum - Margaret Laurence Home (Neepawa) - Rivers Train Station Restoration Project - Winnipeg Fire Fighters Museum - Beautiful Plains Museum (Neepawa) - Transcona Historical Museum - Winnipeg Streetcar 356 Restoration Project - Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame -  Winnipegosis Railway Station Restoration Project - Fort la Reine Museum (Portage)