I have provided a short historical note on the Manitoba Legislative building below (with thanks to the Manitoba Historical Society). These few photographs, most of the Grand entry hall and Grand Rotunda, are just a sampling of the features of our beautiful Legislature. If you are spending time in Winnipeg; book the tour … walk the grounds or watch Dr. Frank Albo, University of Manitoba, give a tour and history of the architecture and art on YouTube (approx. 8 minutes)

The present-day Legislative Building was designed in 1912 by English architects Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III, who won a British Empire competition over 66 other entries, and built over the next seven years. The paramount example of Beaux-Arts Classical architecture in the province, the building was constructed of about ten million bricks made from Manitoba shale and clay between 1913 and 1916 at two local facilities. The majority are yellow-brown bricks made by the Stephens Brick Company at Portage la Prairie. Less common red bricks came from the Leary Brickworks west of Roseisle. The bricks are mostly hidden by several types of stone, including Manitoba limestone quarried at Garson. The exterior is adorned with many allegorical works of art celebrating wisdom, justice, and courage. The Golden Boy atop the dome is symbolic of Manitoba’s eternal youth and progress. The building was opened formally by Lieutenant Governor James Aikins at a ceremony on 15 July 1920, the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.

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