On March 1, 1954 a meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Carman School, attended by 25 people interested in preserving records of our early history. It was decided that a Dufferin Historical Society be organized. The object of the society, then as it is today, was to preserve relics and antiques of pioneer
life, which have been rapidly disappearing, being burnt or destroyed by those not valuing them.
Those who started it all were: President: Rev. James Hoskin; Vice- President: Charlie Montgomery;
Secretary-Treasurer: Mrs. Myra Aiken;
Memoirs Committee: Dr. Thomas J. Harrison, Dr. Paul Hiebert, Dr. and Mrs. Ken Cunningham;
Building Committee: Alex King, William Aiken, William Wilton, Harry McCullough, William George Kennedy and George Finnie;
Refreshment and Program Committee: Miss Clandening, Mrs. Jean Pritchard and Mrs. McEachern;
Finance Committee: Mrs. Ellen McCullough, Mrs. Frank Mansell and Mrs. Myra Aiken.
The Dufferin Historical Society which started to preserve the early history soon developed into museum plans to house many donated and collected early artifacts.
In 1958 the society signed a lease for land 120 feet by 180 feet for $1.00 per year with the Town for space at the south end of the park, tax free. For $782.00, Hugh Strong built our first museum 20 x 30 feet housing about 250 artifacts and historical stories.
The official opening, broadcast on CFAM and MTN television, was held on September 12, 1959 with a luncheon at the Shamrock Tea Gardens. In attendance was the first white child born in the Boyne River Settlement, Mr. William George Kennedy and Premier Duff Roblin cut the ribbon.
1963
An additional 20 feet were added to accommodate the ongoing collections.
1963
The corner stone and cement blocks of the 1902 Carman School were moved to the grounds of the Museum.
1965
The Dufferin Historical Society Museum Incorporated was formed, and by-laws were drafted. A new constitution was finalized
1966
Construction of a new building was completed by Jack Ross Construction at a cost of $13,369 situated directly north of the first building. The old building was put up for tender, sold and an official dedication was held on July 10, 1967.
1975
Now there are 1180 artifacts in the museum.
1984
A workroom addition was added to the south.
1989-1990
Water and sewer became available to the Museum after 36 years. There had been temporary washroom facilities outside which were sold.
1995
The archivist reported that we needed to be more selective as to what we accepted because there was not enough room to display them (history repeats itself as the same problem is happening in 2025).
1999
Lee Construction built us a west addition in time for our 40th anniversary.
1999
2 public washrooms were added to the south side by the Town of Carman.
2003
The “Heritage Log house” keys were officially turned over to the Museum from the Carman Dufferin Heritage committee. Now known as the Sexsmith-Morgan Log Cabin
2009
The 50th anniversary of our museum was held. We then had about 4000 artifacts, among them a restored 1902 fire cart, a 1904 post office, as well as a few family histories and other archival material.
2012
Began in earnest to attract patrons with Pioneer Day for School children, wrote stories for the paper, a children’s program held each Tuesday for 7 weeks, Christmas at the Museum with horse drawn wagon rides and other entertainment (this continues until present days).
2017
The Boyne School, the last one-room to still be intact in the R.M. of Dufferin was moved to the museum grounds in 2013. Over the next 4 years the building was repaired, cleaned and furnished. In 2017 we had the official opening.
2017
"150 Memories of Carman” Part One was printed, sold and still available today (see Gift Shop).
2018
Trish Aubin was awarded the Historical Award of Distinction from Central Manitoba tourism for her tireless work at the museum during her years as President promoting heritage and spearheading the move of Boyne School.
2023
First duck race fundraiser was held as we continue to fundraise towards renovating the workroom area and bathrooms.
2024
We joined Musetoba database through the Association of Manitoba Museums. This will enable the public to view the data base online and will also provide an easier way to search for items within the museum. This is an ongoing project logging in over 10,000 artifacts!
2024
Our popular “Memorable Stories of Carman and Area #2” books were printed for sale. A new sign and bulletin board was built displaying our new logo which is also on sweatshirts for sale. (Still available see Gift Shop.)
2025
Major renovations take place utilizing the 2 former public washrooms space to include a mini-kitchen, wheelchair accessible washroom and much needed storage.
