St. Boniface, Point Douglas, and (West) Kildonan were perhaps the three most important settlement areas during the early Red River Settlement period, and offer many of the remaining examples of historic locations and architecture from the time. Although their histories are deeply intertwined, each area had its own ethnic, cultural and political dynamics, and the people of each shaped the development of early Winnipeg in distinct ways.

‘Birds Eye’ map of St. Boniface in late 1879 produced by American Cartographer Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler

Eric Napier Strong of Seven Oaks House Museum is our guide for the Riding the Red Historic Bike Tour, sharing Winnipeg’s early history as we follow one of the city’s most scenic rides along the Red River. The tour will help you better understand

• Early European (French/Scottish/English) settlement
• Indigenous/settler/Metis cultural exchanges and interactions
• The importance of the Red River and the effects of the of flooding (particularly 1825 & 1852) on early historic sites
• Fur trade associated political struggles and the Pemmican War waged between the North-West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company
• The political birth of Manitoba
• The evolution of Red River style architecture/construction

Eric Napier Strong in front of Seven Oaks House Museum

The Ride the Red Historic tour starts at Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum (494 Tache Ave) and runs for about 2 hours, ending at Seven Oaks House Museum (50 Mac Street) for a tour of the museum along with some coffee and snacks. Leave directly from the museum or join Bike Winnipeg’s ride marshals in a group ride back to Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum if you prefer.

Interior of Fort Garry in 1884

Proceeds from the Ride the Red Historic Bike Tour go towards Bike Winnipeg to support our ongoing advocacy and education efforts.