Buffalo Police Coat, Seven Oaks, Winnipeg

We were fortunate to be in Winnipeg on their 'Open Doors Weekend'.  We started off with the Seven Oaks Homestead which is the oldest home in Winnipeg built in 1851 for John and Mary Inkster.  It's one of the few surviving log buildings showing how people in the 'Red River Settlement' lived.  John Inkster immigrated from Orkney in 1821 and worked for the Hudson Bay Company.  The building and interiors were fascinating.

This Buffalo Police Coat was on display.  Winnipeg police officers wore these Bison fur coats between 1875 and the 1960s.  If the officer were to pursue a suspect they dropped their coat in the street due to the weight. It was illegal to touch and steal these coats when they were left unattended!

We were very excited to see a Carron Ironworks stove in Seven Oaks!  Mister F and I both have ancestors who worked for Carron Iron Works near Falkirk in the 1800s. 

We had a good tour of Government House of Manitoba where volunteers dressed in period costume promenaded outside.  

We ended the day at Grants Old Mill House.