The Nellie McClung Heritage Site in Manitou has officially reopened its doors after an extensive restoration, and its timing couldn’t be more perfect. The house has been meticulously restored to its 1908 glory, a year that marked the beginning of McClung’s success as a bestselling author, and the museum now houses the largest collection of original Nellie McClung artifacts in the country.
“This was her first house as a married woman. She [Nellie McClung] described it as being resplendent....Nellie described her house that way with new draperies, new carpets and blinds and just all very lovely elements which we were able to use to guide us.” - Barbara Biggar, sharing the process of starting such a significant restoration of Nellie McClung's home.
Barbara Biggar, Co-chair of the Nellie McClung Museum of Canada in Manitou, shared why 1908 was such a significant year: “Nellie was paid $25,000 for her first book, which was the equivalent of about $625,000 today. So, it was a big year. She began both provincial and national and some international travel. That’s why we picked 1908.”
Restoration brings new life to a historic home
The home restoration had a very clear goal: make the space feel as close to Nellie McClung’s lived experience as possible. That included attention to everything from wallpaper and carpets to a servery for light luncheons and events.
“This was her first house as a married woman,” Biggar explained. “She described it as being resplendent. Now, I wouldn’t describe my house as being resplendent, but Nellie described her house that way with new draperies, new carpets and blinds and just all very lovely elements which we were able to use to guide us.”
One of the most challenging parts of the renovation was sticking to historically accurate practices. The home remains uninsulated by design, and layers of yellow lead-based paint had to be removed and replaced with era-appropriate hues. Biggar and her team consulted provincial conservators and even the design team from Government House in Winnipeg to ensure authenticity.
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A legacy fueled by community support
The restoration effort has been nearly a decade in the making and has been supported by people and organizations from across southern Manitoba.
“The list is simply too long to begin pointing to any individuals,” said Biggar. “We have had tremendous community support across southern Manitoba, but we've had support from donors right from the beginning almost 10 years ago.”
Fundraisers like the Lilac & Lace Luncheons have helped raise the funds needed to make the project sustainable. “We needed to raise enough money to be able to pay for half of what we knew this was going to cost,” Biggar explained, adding that the provincial government’s Building Sustainable Communities grant program matched their efforts dollar-for-dollar.
A Hollywood touch
To help capture the home’s original elegance and detail, the museum enlisted the help of Sarah McFadden, a film industry decorator with experience on productions like Gabrielle Roy and The Porter.
“She walked in with the tape measure in hand and said this is an unusual house,” said Biggar. “Are you sure it’s 1896? And we said yes. She said the door jams are wider than they should be. This home was built in that era to modern standards, so we knew we had hit on the right person.”
McFadden provided 3D models and curated design boards to help reimagine the home through Nellie McClung’s eyes, even taking into account that she didn’t have a parlor—she had a den, where she wrote and advocated for women’s rights.
A collection unlike any other
The museum doesn’t just offer a visual trip back in time. It houses the most extensive collection of McClung artifacts in Canada. Items include family photos, personal letters, and the very pen McClung used to write speeches, books, and letters to the Prime Minister.
“To me as a writer myself, so precious is her fountain pen,” said Biggar. “This was gifted to us through the family. The provenance has proven on it.”
The Nellie McClung Discovery Center, located in the newly refurbished log house, also includes a football McClung used in her early teaching years—when she caused an uproar by allowing girls to play soccer alongside boys.
Extending the season and the educational mission
One of the biggest motivations behind the restoration was to extend the museum's operational season. Now open from April through October, the space is set to welcome more students and visitors year-round.
“Converting our museum from a one season to a three-season operation is going to make a critical difference in educating young women,” Biggar shared. “She championed new Canadians, factory workers, the Jewish community during World War II—so she really was an advocate for many aspects of society.”
A new website is also on the way, which will include educational materials for teachers and student-friendly resources. Children 17 and under receive free admission to encourage future generations to explore McClung’s lasting legacy.
Making room for community and celebration
Beyond being a museum, the home is being used as a community gathering space—just the way Nellie would have wanted.
“We really want to make it a lived-in home,” said Biggar.“That includes the feeling when you have a group of people in there that Nellie so would have appreciated—people gathering not only to talk about her, but to just celebrate humanity, celebrate community.”
And as for what’s next? The museum is preparing to unveil a never-before-seen collection of 1920s flapper dresses that were recently donated, adding even more allure to an already captivating historical journey.
To plan your visit or follow upcoming events, you can stay up to date through the Nellie McClung Museum of Canada’s Facebook page.
With files from Barbara Biggar, and Gillian Potvin, Nellie McClung Historical Site board members.
