Electrical power was introduced to Minnedosa in various ways and at different times between 1902 and 1913. Finally in 1912 the building of a dam was completed across the Little Saskatchewan River Valley with a spillway 16 feet long at the east end. Soon after, a lake became a reality.
A flume was constructed to carry water from the lake to the power house below the dam and on June 2, 1912 (another source says June 2, 1913), the Hydro plant started operation.
By 1919, power demand outgrew production at the plant. Due to the growing demand for power, the Town of Minnedosa applied for assistance from Manitoba Power Commission and on July 24th, 1920 M.P.C. acquired the existing power plant and installed two diesel units to supplement the previous plant capacity.
Manitoba Power Commission also replaced the old wooden power house with a stone and brick structure that we are using today as our museum. Manitoba Power Commission continued to operate the plant until 1930, when a new 33,000 volt transmission line was completed between Minnedosa and Brandon. The local plant was phased out in 1933, but continued on standby use until 1944.
History
1912
The dam was completed and Minnedosa Lake was formed.
1920
The Minnedosa hydro plant was the second plant constructed in Manitoba.
May 4, 1948
The dam collapsed at the spillway and the lower part of the town was inundated by a wall of water.
1951
A new spillway was in place and water flowing.
1980
The hydro building and surrounding property was turned over to the Town of Minnedosa for recreation purposes by Manitoba Hydro.
The idea for a museum for Minnedosa and surrounding area had been talked about, starting around 1958, when Minnedosa celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary. Mrs. Ed Brown set up a temporary museum display for that occasion, which set the wheels in motion. A committee was set up later to establish a community sponsored museum. All went well, money was collected, and in 1962 a white cinder block building was built on 2nd Avenue NW to house a museum.
During the summer of 1963 Premier Duff Roblin officially opened the new museum. This building was the home of the Minnedosa Museum until May of 1995. By that time, the collectibles had outgrown the space required to properly display them and visions emerged of a Heritage Village down by the river. The Town of Minnedosa had been given ownership of the former Hydro Building and property in 1980.
This building was designated a Heritage Building in 1993, and in 1995, a decision was made, spearheaded by Mr. Lem Shuttleworth, to move the contents of the original museum, to the old Hydro Building.
After much cleaning and renovating, the Hydro Building was ready to receive the artifacts, etc. On July 2, 1995, the official opening of the new museum took place. This move to a new location was the beginning of what has become known as the Minnedosa Heritage Village.
