On the 120th anniversary of the Carnegie Library opening, a new chapter is being written for Winnipeg’s first library. Construction is set to begin this month on the building at 380 William Avenue. It is being redeveloped as the permanent home for the City of Winnipeg Archives.
“We are trusted to keep the records that built this city safe,” said Konrad Krahn, City Archivist.
To have a space purposely built for Archives will ensure Winnipeg’s history will be protected, preserved, and accessible for years to come.
The building had previously housed the Archives. Significant rain damage in 2013 forced the relocation of the archival collection to a temporary, rented location.
“Our current location was intended as a short-term solution,” said Krahn. “It is not designed for long-term preservation of the City’s irreplaceable records.”
The location at 50 Myrtle Avenue also had limited space for the collection. Archives had to turn away some records because of space or conservation limitations. The new building means Archives will once again be able to accept these materials.
A purpose-built facility
The revitalized building will feature a climate-controlled storage vault. It will have space to support reconciliation activities such as smudging, ceremonies, and displays. There will also be room for public programming and research.
“We saw during the Winnipeg 150 anniversary just what the City’s history means to residents so it’s fitting this is the Winnipeg 150 Legacy Project,” said. “We’re creating a welcoming place for people to come to learn this history of where they live.”
The archival collection isn’t the only piece of history being preserved. The building has essentially been vacant since 2013. This redevelopment will breathe new life into the downtown landmark.
A place for the people
The library was originally funded through a $75,000 grant from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In all, Carnegie funded over 2,500 libraries worldwide. Winnipeg’s was the 49th in Canada supported by him when it opened on October 11, 1905.
“One of the requirements for the funding was that Winnipeg had to pledge to maintain a free and public library for no less than $7,500 annually,” said Sarah Ramsden, Senior Archivist. “If you look above the front door, the exterior façade features the phrase ‘Free to all’ as a reminder of the building’s purpose.”
Residents were quick to embrace the space. An expansion, also funded by Carnegie, was built only three years after the library opened. By 1910, it was the second busiest library in Canada. Over 341,000 books were loaned from it annually.
“The Carnegie Library began as an investment in knowledge,” said Ramsden.
Even back then, it was more than just a building—it was a symbol of civic pride, access to knowledge, and the public good.
The space was Winnipeg’s main library until the Centennial Library (now Millennium Library) opened in 1977. The following year, the building reopened as the William Avenue Branch Library with some space allocated for Winnipeg’s archival records. After sharing the space for many years, the William Avenue Branch Library closed in 1994. The building then became known as the home of the City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Just as the Carnegie Library served the public in 1905, this new facility has been planned to serve today and tomorrow’s residents,” said Ramsden.
It’s anticipated construction will be completed in 2027.