Keeping 1919 Strike Memories Alive

In partnership with the Downtown Biz and Cambrian Credit Union, the musical Strike! has opened Manitoba's first museum dedicated to the history of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. The structure that houses the museum exhibits is itself part of the history of the strike.

The museum is an exact replica of Streetcar 596 - the infamous streetcar at the centre of Bloody Saturday and became one of the iconic images of the event. The replica is named "Nellie" in honour of Manitoba suffragette Nellie McClung.

Admission to the museum is free. It's located on the north side of Broadway between Fort and Garry Streets, just one block east of the Union Centre building where the MFL offices are located. The Free Museum features a photo exhibit of the history of the General Strike and Winnipeg streetcar history. It's open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 6:00.

Nellie was originally built for the 2009 abridged outdoor production of Strike! at City Hall. The second annual theatrical production of Strike! will take place from July 29 to August 4 at the Canwest Performing Arts Centre which also houses the Manitoba Theatre for Young People. More information about the production can be found on its website.