05/15/2026
Artifact of the Week:
This week we are taking a look inside a somewhat mysterious collection from our archive.
Little is known about the history of the house in which these artifacts were found, but the high number of occupants over a relatively short period of time indicates that it was likely a boarding house in 1905. Its geographical location in Winnipeg’s North End positioned it at the heart of Jewish life and culture in Winnipeg around the turn of the century.
The fragmented records (pictured) were discovered underneath the old insulation during a renovation in 2025. They have been damaged by soot, rodents, dirt, and time. Despite this, they remain fairly legible and show clear snapshots of the lives of the house’s previous residents.
This collection includes: 11 files of correspondence, 5 wedding invitations , various fragmented envelopes, advertisements, invitations to charitable events, business cards, coupons, receipts, a shopping list, a map, newspaper clippings, an opera pamphlet, Yiddish literature, and a very old playing card.
Contact us to learn more about these archives, or to take a closer look at them in person.
