New beginnings:
The Modern Story of Seven Oaks House (1940s - 1960s)
Back yard of Seven Oaks House, late 1947. Photo by Charles Kershaw
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The last members of the Inkster family left Seven Oaks House in 1947 (read their story here), but their estate wasn't vacant for long.
The Municipality of West Kildonan owned the property, but it seems that the St. John's Branch of the Toc H Club may have been responsible for its upkeep. They continued to meet there until at least 1949. The local Club was involved in community service: They repaired historical buildings, operated a youth club and oversaw air cadet training at Seven Oaks House during the Second World War. It seems that they also provided support to former British soldiers who immigrated to Canada after the war. One of these veterans was Charles Kershaw. |
Winnipeg Tribune - March 29, 1941
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Charles Henry Kershaw (1921-2010) was born in Hebden Bridge, England. He served in the Royal Air Force during WW2, and later worked as a chemist and inventor.
Kershaw immigrated to Winnipeg in 1947 and was hired as the live-in caretaker for Seven Oaks House by the local Toc H Club. In November of 1947, his wife Mary Elizabeth McHugh (1914-2005) followed with their children Peter & Genevieve. In March of 1948 their third child, Kathleen was born. Mary worked for Eatons throughout her time in Canada. |
Charles Kershaw skiing down the banks of the Red River, behind Seven Oaks.
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Mary Kershaw with Peter & Genevieve in front of Seven Oaks House. Late 1947 or early 1948.
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The family's most prominent memory was that the huge old house was extremely cold in the winter. They were forced to huddle together around their wood stove for warmth. They found a pair of candle-snuffing scissors in the house, thought to belong to Marak Inkster. These were later donated to the Museum and remain on display today.
After spending two years at Seven Oaks, in late 1949 the family bought a house in St Vital. It burned just before Christmas in 1949 and was badly affected by the 1950 flood while the family was trying to rebuild. They eventually recovered and prospered. In 2023, Kathleen & Genevieve returned to Seven Oaks House Museum and shared their story with us. |
Seven Oaks House, summer 1948
A story yet to be told
There were other caretakers, unrelated to the Inksters, living at Seven Oaks House over the years. One newspaper article from 1936 introduces Ronald 'Ronnie' Ford, a 12 year old who lived at Seven Oaks with his sister & grandparents as resident caretakers. It describes the house's decoration, the General Store (which also functioned as a post office) and several original artifacts which remain in our collection.
"The house and grounds were given by Miss Mary Inkster...to the City Parks board, but the park is still undeveloped...Trees cast shadows on the uncut grass that rippled like waves in the breeze. Up the steps to the back veranda. See, here are the logs..." |
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General Store & Post Office building - c.1960s (University of Manitoba Archives)
We can't find any other information about the Ford family, and there are no municipal records about any tenants, caretakers or other staff at Seven Oaks before the 1950s.
Another article from 1957 states that the house was occupied until 1953, then abandoned until 1956 when restoration started. This suggests that there were occupants other than the Inksters for at least 17 years (1936 - 1953), and potentially as long as 41 years (1912 - 1953).
But who were they?
Send us an email if you know who lived in Seven Oaks House during this time.
Another article from 1957 states that the house was occupied until 1953, then abandoned until 1956 when restoration started. This suggests that there were occupants other than the Inksters for at least 17 years (1936 - 1953), and potentially as long as 41 years (1912 - 1953).
But who were they?
Send us an email if you know who lived in Seven Oaks House during this time.
A neighbourhood develops
Streetcar at Main Street & Polson Avenue, 1953
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Meanwhile, the neighbourhood around the old Inkster estate was changing rapidly. Electric street car lines ran north along Main Street from downtown Winnipeg up to a garage at Lansdowne Avenue. The post-war baby boom was in full swing, and areas which had been remote farmland less than a generation ago were being paved to build new suburbs.
West Kildonan attracted many immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, becoming home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Canada. Their impact is still visible today through local institutions like the sprawling Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Just south of Seven Oaks House, another large property interrupts Matheson Avenue. It's not another remnant of a river lot farm, but a legacy of the local Jewish community. |
The Green Briar Inn was built on the Inkster estate in 1929 & still serves the neighbourhood today. It's pictured here in 1940 with delivery trucks from Shea's Brewery
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Jewish Orphanage, after 1920 (Harriet Lehrbaum/Manitoba Historical Society)
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In 1920 an institution known as the Jewish Orphanage & Children's Aid of Western Canada opened at 133 Matheson Avenue East. The large orphanage was surrounded by an expansive garden with fruit trees, a playground and skating rink. 150 children lived there, attending school and receiving daily religious instruction. The orphanage closed in 1942 and the building was demolished in 1962.
The site was re-used as the home of Rosh Pina Synagogue; a new congregation formed by merging several shrinking North-End synagogues. |
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The original Rosh Pina Synagogue was one of Winnipeg's oldest; built in 1892 on the corner of Martha Street & Henry Avenue. Its 60th anniversary was marked with the construction of a large, modernist complex designed by noted local architect Charles Faurer.
Design for Rosh Pina Synagogue, 1951 (Winnipeg Architecture Foundation)
Rosh Pina Synagogue / Congregation Etz Chaim - c.1970s (Winnipeg Architecture Foundation)
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The first Rosh Pina Synagogue, built in 1892 (Provincial Archives of Manitoba)
In 2002, dwindling local congregations were amalgamated again, and Rosh Pina became known as Congregation Etz Chaim. By 2022, 80% of their membership was located in South Winnipeg and the institution moved. The building was purchased by an Ethiopian church in 2023, reflecting new changes to the demographics of West Kildonan.
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One man from the local Jewish community was closely involved with development around Seven Oaks: Abraham Louis "Abe" Simkin (1922-2020) was a notable philanthropist who built his fortune in West Kildonan. Between 1949 & 1963, the Municipality passed 23 bylaws to facilitate land sales to Simkin and business deals with his companies. His construction company paved streets and laid sewers throughout West Kildonan. He personally developed large areas, including parts of the Inkster estate.
By-Law 2097 – August 18, 1949 – To sell Lots 1-5, Block 1, Lots 1-9, Block 4, Kildonan Parish Lot 6, Plan 4574 to Abraham Louis Simkin for $14 |
University of Manitoba yearbook, 1947 (Pharmacy & Medical Museum of Texas)
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A 1941 transit map suggests very little urban development in West Kildonan beyond Main St.
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The 1950 transit map shows that most of West Kildonan has been built or planned -- other than Garden City & suburban areas to the north-west
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Getting our feet wet
Scotia Street at Cathedral Avenue - 1950 (Harold K White Studio)
The disastrous flood of 1950 put a pause on this rapid development. Areas all along the Red River were devastated, and much of the community surrounding Seven Oaks House was underwater. Fortunately, the Inkster family planned for this eventuality. They witnessed the entire Red River Settlement be swept away in the flood of 1826, and they built their home on the highest hill in the area.
Relatively speaking, the 1950 flood was much less severe than those that hit Red River in the 19th Century. During the flood of 1852, water filled the unfinished first floor of Seven Oaks House to a depth of almost two meters. A century later, the historic property was saved by its height. Most of the neighbours were not so lucky, and the density of modern riverside development meant that many people suffered.
Relatively speaking, the 1950 flood was much less severe than those that hit Red River in the 19th Century. During the flood of 1852, water filled the unfinished first floor of Seven Oaks House to a depth of almost two meters. A century later, the historic property was saved by its height. Most of the neighbours were not so lucky, and the density of modern riverside development meant that many people suffered.
236 Scotia Street - 1950
259 Scotia Street at the river front end of the Inkster estate - 1950
Inkster Boulevard at St Cross Street - 1950
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The extent of the floodwaters in 1950 are shown in blue.
Luxton Avenue at St Cross Street - 1950
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Scotia Street near Tait Avenue - 1950
The disaster was only a temporary setback, and most of the homes impacted by the flood were restored quickly. Many of them are still in use today.
In 1951, the upscale planned suburb of Garden City was announced. A municipal bylaw required every property to have a large 55-foot frontage. Model Homes Limited laid out 1,500 mid-century modern-style house on spacious bays with floral names like Buttercup Street and Peony Avenue. Winding roads discouraged through-traffic and were centered around the large Garden City Shopping Centre.
In 1951, the upscale planned suburb of Garden City was announced. A municipal bylaw required every property to have a large 55-foot frontage. Model Homes Limited laid out 1,500 mid-century modern-style house on spacious bays with floral names like Buttercup Street and Peony Avenue. Winding roads discouraged through-traffic and were centered around the large Garden City Shopping Centre.
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At the time it was built, Garden City was one of the most popular and modern suburbs in the Greater Winnipeg area. Today it remains an important centre for well-preserved examples mid-century modernist architecture. A detailed map from 1873 simply describes this western area as "grassy swamp".
By 1961 Garden City has been completed. Development is proceeding west of McPhillips & approaching the current city limits north of Templeton
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1873 map of Kildonan
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Electric buses on Main Street at Matheson Avenue c.1963
A community preserves its history
Seven Oaks House, 1951 - Photo by John Warkentin (York University Archives)
Marak Inkster left a large property to the City of Winnipeg, but only the core of the homestead surrounding Seven Oaks House was preserved as a park in accordance with her wishes. In 1952, the West Kildonan council voted to subdivide her estate and signed a contract for its development with Abe Simkin.
Plank sidewalks were built around the property in the early 1900s, while sections just outside the Inkster estate were used for a community skating rink and the West Kildonan Curling Club in the 1930s. The park was never developed and was left as open green space.
There's evidence of community resistance to development on the historic Seven Oaks property in the Municipality's council minutes. In 1935, a delegation of citizens opposed filling in a ravine at the back of the property because it was a historic site. The location of this ravine and its significance are now lost, but it was likely related to either the Inkster family's mill, or the site of the Battle of Seven Oaks along Seven Oaks Creek.
In 1958, the Municipality agreed to lease a piece of land measuring 100 feet by 150 feet in the northeast corner of the estate, along Mac Street, to the Seven Oaks Masonic Lodge for $600 per year. William Inkster was one of the founding members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Manitoba in 1864, and his brother Colin may also have been involved with the Masons.
In March of 1959, residents from Tait Avenue & Rupertsland Boulevard protested the building of the Masonic Hall and seemingly had the project cancelled.
Plank sidewalks were built around the property in the early 1900s, while sections just outside the Inkster estate were used for a community skating rink and the West Kildonan Curling Club in the 1930s. The park was never developed and was left as open green space.
There's evidence of community resistance to development on the historic Seven Oaks property in the Municipality's council minutes. In 1935, a delegation of citizens opposed filling in a ravine at the back of the property because it was a historic site. The location of this ravine and its significance are now lost, but it was likely related to either the Inkster family's mill, or the site of the Battle of Seven Oaks along Seven Oaks Creek.
In 1958, the Municipality agreed to lease a piece of land measuring 100 feet by 150 feet in the northeast corner of the estate, along Mac Street, to the Seven Oaks Masonic Lodge for $600 per year. William Inkster was one of the founding members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Manitoba in 1864, and his brother Colin may also have been involved with the Masons.
In March of 1959, residents from Tait Avenue & Rupertsland Boulevard protested the building of the Masonic Hall and seemingly had the project cancelled.
Seven Oaks House c.1963
West Kildonan Shopping Centre Main Street at Jefferson Avenue - c.1960s
There was clearly some recognition that historic buildings & homesteads across Winnipeg were being swept up in development and modernity. Throughout the 1950s & 60s, large areas of Winnipeg's old downtown were demolished to be replaced with concrete offices and apartment buildings. Log homes from the early days of the Red River Settlement were no longer just "old houses", but quickly becoming rare and valuable "historic homes".
As small rural municipalities like West Kildonan grew into cities in their own right, they looked to define themselves and preserve their unique local heritage. From the late 1940s through the 1960s, most of Winnipeg's constituent communities opened municipal museums in historic buildings.
Our two sister-museums were the first to open:
As small rural municipalities like West Kildonan grew into cities in their own right, they looked to define themselves and preserve their unique local heritage. From the late 1940s through the 1960s, most of Winnipeg's constituent communities opened municipal museums in historic buildings.
Our two sister-museums were the first to open:
- Ross House Museum - 1949 (City of Winnipeg)
- Seven Oaks House Museum - 1958 (West Kildonan)
- St. Boniface Museum - 1967
- Transcona Museum - 1967
- Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia - 1970
Picking up the pieces
Seven Oaks House, 1951. The verandah was removed some time between 1948 & 1951
- Photo by John Warkentin (York University Archives)
The photo above suggests that Seven Oaks House was reasonably well-maintained by its caretakers for almost 40 years, but something changed after the estate was subdivided in 1952. The local Toc H branch may have disbanded. The building had passed its 100th anniversary with no fanfare, and it may have become impossible to find somebody willing to live in a drafty, deteriorating log home.
Several visitors who grew up in the neighbourhood have shared stories about breaking into Seven Oaks House during their youth. One even visited the General Store and took home historical mail as a souvenir. He earned a lesson that he would never forget when his mother found the mail hidden in his room.
Several visitors who grew up in the neighbourhood have shared stories about breaking into Seven Oaks House during their youth. One even visited the General Store and took home historical mail as a souvenir. He earned a lesson that he would never forget when his mother found the mail hidden in his room.
"Last winter Seven Oaks House was a lonesome derelict, half hidden in snow and brush grown up around it. The veranda had fallen off. Debris lay all around-- boys had got in, lit fires, smoked. It hadn't been occupied for three years..."
Stories Houses Tell' - Oct 7, 1957
Seven Oaks House before restoration - September 1956
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In November of 1954, Mr. H. J. Grenon requested permission to "solicit help towards the restoration of Seven Oaks House and Park. Council sets up a committee to investigate and report on the restoration of the house and park."
November of 1956, Mr. Prinz was hired as the "caretaker for Seven Oaks House" at a salary of $200 per month ($2,187.59 in 2023 value). Council allocated $500 "to be spent immediately on building materials for needed repairs on Seven Oaks House." William Prinz (also written Prins & Prince) was an immigrant from the Netherlands who lived in the Seven Oaks neighbourhood. He must have been trained as a carpenter, and was noted as an antique collector. Prinz spent years lovingly restoring his own historic log home at 117 Leila Avenue, near Kildonan Park. The Fraser House was built around 1835 by the family of James Fraser, a Selkirk Settler from Scotland, who farmed the land north of what would become Leila Avenue. |
Fraser House undergoing restoration at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site (University of Manitoba Archives - Henry Kalen fonds)
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"William Prince, a sandy haired little artist from Holland, told mayor and council it could be made into a showplace. He proved he could restore a log house: He lives in the William Fraser place, 117 Leila Ave.
He scraped and oiled the squared oak logs, re-chinked them, furnished the interior as a museum for his own fast accumulating treasures: old guns, brass, waling sticks, sunshades, harness, furniture, pictures. A broken white plaster plaque of Louis Riel he re-moulded, painted. The likeness is startling. Riel is one of his heroes.
He acquired a white plaster mask—he won’t say where—broken in pieces because it was “used for target practice.” He cemented it, painted it, and hung it ceremoniously in his log kitchen.
Opposite is a great gilt framed oil of Napoleon: 'strong men, different sizes,' says the owner laconically."
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Outspoken admiration for Riel was an unusual perspective in 1950s Winnipeg.
Prinz set to work, seemingly alone, making structural repairs and restoring Seven Oaks House according to his knowledge of period homes. He is primarily responsible for the museum's current state of restoration. The verandah was rebuilt in 1962, with the Kitchen & General Store restored some time in the 1960s. |
He donated many items from his personal collection of antiques to fill-in the collection of the new Seven Oaks House Museum. Oral histories say that he also allowed them to be used as props by actors in early productions at Rainbow Stage Theatre.
"Tuesday night lights were on in the Inkster place...It looked like an old Red River party, Kildonanites celebrating harvest festival. It was West Kildonan Council paying an inspection visit to the house they've invested $5,500 in for a restoration they hope will make them tourist-famous in the province... |
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One Councilor suggests that Prinz move the Fraser House to Seven Oaks, so that he could live on site and care for both. In 1964, Prinz asked the Municipality to purchase the Fraser House and move it to the grounds of Seven Oaks to create a heritage village.
When he retired in 1967 after ten years as Curator, West Kildonan declined to purchase his home. It was instead sold to Parks Canada for $8,000 and became the first building moved to the newly-established Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. Prinz returned to the Netherlands, where his trail ends. |
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- April, 1957 – Council is to make an inspection of the Seven Oaks House to decide what further work should be planned.
- May 1957 – The Boulevard Committee is to take over the supervision of the repairs to Seven Oaks House. The decision is made not to extend sewer and water to the house this year.
- July 1957 – Seven Oaks House is to be declared a historical site.
- April 1958 – A Ladies Auxiliary is formed to assist the committee in charge of the restoration of the Seven Oaks House.
- April 1958 – Sewer and water and certain fixtures are to be installed in Seven Oaks House at a cost of $1,280.
- June 1958 – The official opening of Seven Oaks House is to take place on July 2, 1958.
- July 1958 – Admission charges for Seven Oaks House are adults 25 cents and children 10 cents.
A museum is born
Seven Oaks House Museum, 1958-1962 (City of Winnipeg Archives)
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On July 3, 1958, Duff Roblin undertook his first official act as Premier of Manitoba and opened Seven Oaks House Museum. Mayor of West Kildonan, C.N. Kushner spoke and celebrated William Prinz. Sibyl Inkster, daughter of Hon. Colin Inkster, used the original iron key to open the museum's doors. Colin James Inkster and his family were also in attendance. "It's a great pleasure to welcome you to the home of my grandparents and to thank West Kildonan for having restored the museum. That's all I have to say." The museum was initially staffed daily by volunteers from the community's Ladies Auxiliary. Their commitment to recycling made the grand opening memorable for the journalists attending:
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"In the four-acre park where the seven oak trees that gave the name to the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816 have expanded to 27, the women served lemonade. There were round wooden boxes to throw the paper cups in.
The tag on the side didn't say 'Don't be a litter bug,' but suprisingly, 'Eviscerated chickens.'"
Seven Oaks House Museum c.1971 - City of Winnipeg Archives & University of Manitoba Archives
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On August 15, 1959 the first historical marker was unveiled at Seven Oaks House Museum. Sibyl Inkster led the honours, with municipal and provincial politicians in attendance.
The museum was initially extremely busy, with newspapers reporting thousands of school visits and up to 250 visitors per day. In spite of the success their historic investment was showing, the Municipality of Kildonan was not interested in supporting the ongoing operation of a museum alone. One year later they threatened to close the museum unless the Province of Manitoba provided funding. |
Plaque unveiling at Seven Oaks House, 1959 (Manitoba Historical Society)
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- September 1960 – West Kildonan tells the Provincial Government, Seven Oaks House will not open in 1961 if all the expenses of the house are carried by West Kildonan.
- November 1960 – Council expresses its displeasure with the Provincial Government for its refusal to provide a grant for running Seven Oaks House while West Kildonan has spent over $20,000 for its restoration.
- January 1961 – Council asks the Provincial Government towards 1/3 of the operating costs of running the Seven Oaks Museum or $1,200.
- March 1961 – Council asks Metro [Winnipeg] to consider giving a grant for the Seven Oaks Museum.
- April 1961 – Metro is to provide a grant of $1,200 for Seven Oaks House.
Seven Oaks House Museum, c1970s
To this day, sustainable operating funding continues to be a challenge. Write to your City Councilor about the importance of your community's heritage.
Please consider making a donation to our endowment fund to support our museum's future.
Please consider making a donation to our endowment fund to support our museum's future.
Written by Eric Napier Strong, Curator - December, 2023. With files from Jim Smith, Kenneth Ingram, Kathy Murrie & Gen Sveinson
Seven Oaks House Museum & Ross House Museum sit on Treaty One land: The traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Ininíwak, the land of the Dakota and the homeland of the Red River Métis.
Contact us:
Tracey Turner - Curator / Manager
[email protected]
[email protected]
Seven Oaks House Museum204-339-7429
[email protected] 50 Mac Street, Winnipeg, MB
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Ross House Museum204-942-5396
[email protected] 140 Meade Street North, Winnipeg, MB
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Operated with support from
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