The City of Winnipeg Archives collects, preserves, and makes accessible records documenting the decisions and activities of civic government and the development of our city. Our goal is to preserve a richer and more complete history of Winnipeg and its communities. We value a diversity of experiences.
We collect City records and receive donations from individuals and organizations that the City Archivist determines to have enduring historical value to the City of Winnipeg.
We prefer to receive original records, not copies.
We accept original:
- Documents
- Photographs
- Maps
- Architectural drawings
- Sound recordings
- Moving images
- Pamphlets and reports
- Postcards
- Artifacts (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)
- Other types of records relating to Winnipeg and its residents
We also collect and preserve digital records according to professional standards. We review donations of digital records on a case-by-case basis. When evaluating these donations, we consider file size, format, and other criteria.
We do not accept:
- Publications such as newspapers and magazines
- Photocopies
- Single items without context and/or documentation
- Duplicates of items we already have in the collection
How to donate to the Archives
To donate to the Archives, please email archives@winnipeg.ca:
- Include as much background information as possible (e.g., name of creator, number of items, record types, subject matter, dates of creation, history of ownership, physical condition, and other details)
- We will contact you to discuss your donation
- We may ask you to provide a list and information on the person or organization that created the records
Donations undergo a review and approval process. We don't accept all records. Decisions are based on our collections mandate, the physical condition of the records, our capacity to care for them, and other criteria.
Please do not drop off or send your records before contacting us.
If your donation is accepted
If your donation is accepted by the Archives, we will give you an Instrument of Gift or Agreement to review and complete. This will cover ownership, copyright, use, and access.
We prefer not to have any access restrictions. However, we recognize that records with sensitive and/or personal information may need special consideration.
Records in archival collection are typically accessible to the public. They are used for research, reproduction, publication, and exhibit purposes. Items may also be described and made available online through the Archives website.