The Minto Armoury is a prominent and historic structure in the
West End of
Winnipeg
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...
,
Manitoba
Manitoba ( ) is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population o ...
. The armoury is currently the home base of
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif) are a Primary Reserve one-battalion infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. Nicknamed the "Little Black Devils", they are based at Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are part of 3rd ...
,
,
38 Signal Regiment
The 38 Signal Regiment (Volunteers) was a regiment of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals, part of the Army Reserve. The regiment's task was to "provide contingency communications throughout the whole of Northern England, from the Scottish B ...
, and several other reserve units. The building remains an active military structure. It is noted for its smooth integration into the character of the neighbourhood and remains a local landmark, both factors have help to certify the Minto Armoury as a
Recognized Federal Heritage Building.
[
]
Architecture
The armoury was designed by Chief Dominion Architect Chief Dominion Architect was a position created in 1871 by the Government of Canada to help design public federal buildings across Canada. The role reported to the Minister of Public Works.
From World War II onwards to 1973 (renamed Chief Architect ...
David Ewart
David Ewart, ISO (18 February 1841 – 6 June 1921) was a Canadian architect who served as Chief Dominion Architect from 1896 to 1914.
As chief government architect he was responsible for many of the federal buildings constructed in this period. ...
, and was opened the next year and work on the structure was completed in 1915. The Minto Armoury is an example of Tudor Revival architecture
Tudor Revival architecture (also known as mock Tudor in the UK) first manifested itself in domestic architecture in the United Kingdom in the latter half of the 19th century. Based on revival of aspects that were perceived as Tudor architecture ...
designed by Fuller. It has Canada's standard fortress motif with square corner towers and the arched entrance.
History
A fire destroyed the original wooden roof structure on January 22, 1956. Most of the regimental trophies and records, musical instruments, kilts, and rifles were rescued from the fire as responders got to the scene. The roof was then replaced with its current steel truss structure that is in use today.National Historic Site of Canada
National Historic Sites of Canada (french: Lieux historiques nationaux du Canada) are places that have been designated by the federal Minister of the Environment
An environment minister (sometimes minister of the environment or secretary of t ...
in 1991.[
]
See also
* List of Armouries in Canada
A number of armouries and drill halls exist in communities across Canada. Of these, the majority were built in Ontario and Quebec.
Architecture
Chief Dominion Architects
The Chief Dominion Architect(s) designed a number of prominent public b ...
References
External links
{{coord, 49, 53, 26.8, N, 97, 10, 44.0, W, display=title
Buildings and structures in Winnipeg
Armouries in Canada
National Historic Sites in Manitoba
Romanesque Revival architecture in Canada
Government buildings completed in 1915
Thomas Fuller buildings
Classified Federal Heritage Building
1915 establishments in Manitoba
West End, Winnipeg
Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada