heritage tourist attraction
DESCRIPTION
Hillcrest, Plum and Railway MuseumsTRANSCRIPT
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
Hillcrest Museum
Step back in time by visiting the Hillcrest Museum. See what
life was like in the 1900s. With its wide variety of period
displays, the “castle” overlooking the Souris River makes the
past come alive.
History
The Museum was built in 1910 by Fred Sowden, the son of
Souris’ founder. Its unique “castle-like” design makes it a
unique structure in Manitoba.
Exhibits:
Period displays showcasing life in the early 1900s
See this historical building that was once named as one of Canada’s top heritage properties
Learn about the origins of Souris
Learn about the founder of Souris and his family
Learn about the people from the community that were sent to fight in World War II
Agricultural exhibit
Mounted butterfly collection
Vintage fire engine
CPR caboose
Built in 1910
N
First St. S
Swinging
Bridge
Downtown
Souris
Hillcrest
Museum
Sow
den
St.
The Plum
The Plum Museum is Souris’ oldest remaining public
building, erected in 1883. This heritage building celebrates
the rich history of the area.
History
The Plum was originally St. Luke’s Anglican Church that
was built in 1883. Its construction was a requirement for the
Squire Sowden’s colonization party due to the Federal
Government assistance given. The church was
decommissioned in 1989 and was moved to its current
location to become a museum. This heritage building,
restored to its original Victorian colors of plum and
chocolate brown, is one of Western Manitoba’s oldest
church buildings.
Exhibits:
Period displays and an outdoor heritage games room
Experience an extraordinary church building with rare stain glass windows
Learn about the origins of Souris
Victorian Tea Room that offers sweets, thirst quenching ice crème floats and Plum Punch
Learn about famous people who once called Souris their home
Gift shop with local crafts and souvenirs
Built in 1883
N
First St. S
Swinging
Bridge
Downtown
Souris
The Plum
Sow
den
St.
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
The Souris Railway Museum
The Souris Railway Museum stands as a tribute to the
railway industry and the families that were connected to it.
Experience first hand what it would be like to drive a train
using the diesel engine simulator. See the one-of-a-kind
artifacts, historical records and memorabilia from those who
worked on the railways.
History
The Museum started when an old rail pay car was
discovered at an antique shop. An ad hoc committee was
formed to create, manage and finance the Souris Railway
Museum. The Museum was fully operational in August 2011.
A diesel locomotive simulator was installed in 2015. This item
was donated to the Museum by The New York Air Brake Co.
of Fort Worth, Texas. It was formerly leased by the C.P.R. in
Calgary for the training and testing of railway engineers.
Exhibits:
Experience first hand a diesel engine simulator that was once used to train CPR conductors
See inside an actual CPR Rail Car
Learn about the railway industry and the life of a railway worker
Learn about the importance the railway industry played in western Canada
See how railroaders would communicate with a fully functional telegraph machine, including original dispatcher’s phone and a working telegraph key and sounder
See rare historical records that date back as far as 1891
See personal memorabilia, uniforms, and maps
N
First St. S
Swinging
Bridge
Downtown
Souris
Souris Railway
Museum
Sow
den
St.
diesel engine simulator
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
The Souris Agate Pit
Unearth buried treasure at the Souris Agate Pit where
fossils and the largest assortment of semi-precious stones
in North America can be found. With a pit permit, you can
hunt for these rocks yourself.
Things to Do:
Learn about geology and glacial deposits
Hunt for unique rocks and fossils
Discover semi-precious gems, epidote, jasper, petrified wood and fossils (paleozoic and mesozoic era)
Permits to explore the Agate
Pit can be found at The Rock
Shop (8 1st St S, Souris).
Tours can be arranged by
contacting The Rock Shop at
(204) 483-2561.
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
The Swinging Bridge
Experience the thrill of being on Canada’s longest pedestrian
suspension bridge. Originally constructed in 1904, the bridge
has evolved over the past 112 years to its current status.
Reconstructed in 2013, the Swinging Bridge is a lasting
landmark of the community and a Manitoba Star Attraction.
This new bridge has been built to imitate the swaying motion
of the previous bridge.
History
Built in 1904 by Squire W.H. Sowden to more easily access
his property on the east bank of the river that was being used
as farmland. Sowden donated the bridge to the town in 1907.
The people of Souris have used this bridge to cross the river
for over 100 years.
Interesting Facts:
The bridge is 604 ft (184 meters) in length
The 2013 rebuild cost $4.5 million
The bridge was rebuilt after the floods of 1912, 1961, 1976 and 2011 that destroyed the bridge
The 2013 bridge has been constructed to withstand 300 year flood levels and is approximately 1.7 meters higher than the previous bridge
The bridge can hold up to 1,000 people at one time
The bridge was commemorated by Canada Post with a special stamp as part of a series of distinct Canadian bridges
First built in 1904
N
First St. S
Swinging
Bridge
Downtown
Souris
Sow
den
St.
For more information, go to
www.sourismanitoba.com
Victoria Park
Located along Plum Creek, the natural treasure of Victoria Park has served as the heart of Souris since 1897. This park is the main outdoor park and recreational area within Souris.
Things To Do:
Enjoy the heated outdoor pool that provides fun for any age. With its four slides, lazy river and beach-like entry, the Souris pool is the place to be to beat the heat this summer
Explore more of the park by using the walking trail
Overlook the whole park by going to the Lookout Tower
See the Mystical Old Oak Tree. Believed to be over five centuries old, the tree is designated as a Heritage Tree under the Manitoba Heritage Trees Program
Souris Elks Playground is a great place for children to have fun outside
Victoria Park is also home to the peacocks, the community’s ambassadors. These birds can be found in and around Victoria Park and the downtown area
Old Tree
Lookout Tower
Swinging Bridge
Playground
Pool
Victoria Park