Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Winnipeg was a transportation hub; the link between eastern Canada and western Canada, and, in some cases, the link between Canada and the U.S.
Thousands of people wandered the halls of Union Station on Main Street every day and it grew to become the home of the regional office of the Canadian National Railway, which was established in 1919.
While things didn't really work out quite as planned when it came to expansion and growth in Winnipeg (hello, Great Depression!), the point is that the rail industry, and CN in particular, has always had strong roots in our community, especially here at The Forks.
Everywhere you look, remnants of CN’s impact can be found: the CN Mainline marks the western and northern boundaries of the site, the former steam plant is home to City TV and the refurbished railcars and caboose on site are home to Sugar Mountain.
And it's that history and connection to community that CN is celebrating with its 100th anniversary events, which the rail giant is hosting all over the country, including in Winnipeg this weekend!
CN is inviting communities to a kind of mobile museum that will be built at the aptly titled CN Stage and Field, which was renamed just last year when we partnered up with CN in part as a way to pay homage to the city’s (and The Forks’s) rail-infused history.
The interactive exhibits will walk you through the past, present and future of rail transport, focusing on CN and its employees and the work they've done to change and advance the industry.
Not only that, but the exhibits themselves have been built inside train-sized shipping containers (which are super cool, might we add), and there will be food, entertainment and lots of stuff for kids to do as well.
And one more thing — this is a completely free event!
CN 100 – A Moving Celebration in Winnipeg is open to the public Friday, Sept. 20, from 3:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, from 1-9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 1-6 p.m.
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