Anyone growing up in 1970s Winnipeg and beyond undoubtedly has fond memories of visiting the Manitoba Museum (originally named the Museum of Man and Nature) on school field trips. The exhibit that occupies the biggest spot in my childhood memories is the Nonsuch, a full-size replica 17th-century sailing vessel. While the museum’s permanent exhibits have all evolved over the years, the Nonsuch Gallery recently got an extensive revamp. I was eager to see the update.
First of all, if you doubt a museum exhibit’s enduring power to captivate, consider this: in 2011, Justin Bieber booked the Nonsuch Gallery for a private dinner aboard the ship with his date Selena Gomez, who had performed in Winnipeg the night before. Bieber’s father is from Winnipeg and the pop star spent time growing up in the city. I presume, he too had occasion to visit the Manitoba Museum as a child and was similarly cast under the spell of the big ship moored against the backdrop of the town of Deptford England.
So, yeah, there’s something about this gallery that fascinates.
The Nonsuch Backstory
According to the Manitoba Museum website, the name “Nonsuch” refers to “none such” meaning “unequalled.” The merchant ship was built in 1650 and sailed from England in 1668 to trade furs in Hudson Bay. Based on the success of the 16-month voyage, investors established the Hudson Bay Company (HBC), a significant economic and social force in the history of Canada.
HBC commissioned the replica Nonsuch in 1970 to celebrate its 300th anniversary. At the time, the company was headquartered in Winnipeg, which was celebrating its centennial anniversary the same year. As part of that milestone, Winnipeg built a cultural complex comprising a concert hall, museum and planetarium. Celebratory plans collided, and HBC proposed that the replica ship be housed in the museum following its tour around England, France, and later through the Great Lakes in Canada.
The Gallery Update
The original exhibit depicted the Nonsuch docked at Deptford, England ready to launch on its journey to Hudson’s Bay. Commercial buildings bordered the wharf where visitors could climb the wooden steps to peer inside. The big attraction, though, was being able to board the ship and poke around below deck into the dining and sleep quarters. As an inner-city prairie kid who had never even been on a boat, this was high adventure!
Fast forward 44 years and the exhibit was definitely in need of renewal. The biggest difference in today’s Nonsuch Gallery is the positioning of the exhibit. It now depicts the ship returning to Deptford, England after its successful journey to Hudson’s Bay. This change allows the exhibit to reflect the relationship of the fur traders with the Indigenous peoples they encountered.
Although the gallery has a familiar look and feel to it upon first entering it, it has benefited from several enhancements. The exhibit now features a light and soundscape cycle that goes from day to night. It also simulates a rainstorm, which is very cool.
One can now experience “life” bustling about the wharf and the previously empty buildings display furnishings and artifacts reflecting the period. Walking through the scene one can hear roosters crowing, a dog barking, people at work and in the pub and other sounds that transport the visitor back in time.
Experts re-rigged the craft and adjusted other items for historical accuracy, and the sails are down as they would be upon arrival in the town. On the dock are bales of fur and goods just unloaded from the journey.
The renewed Nonsuch exhibit will no doubt increase traffic to the museum as curious locals make their way there to see the changes. As I became reacquainted with all nine galleries on this visit, it underscored what an outstanding asset the museum is to Winnipeg. Our attention over the past couple of years has focused on the spectacular new Museum for Human Rights, but the Manitoba Museum is just as rich with stories with some interactive fun and should be on every tourist’s must-visit list.
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I haven’t yet made it to the museum to see the renewed Nonsuch exhibit although I am very interested in seeing it. Your post encourages me to make visiting a priority. I look forward to seeing and experiencing it. And, as you said, the rest of the museum is rich with stories.
Definitely worth checking out. I think they did a great job of updating it but not changing it so much as to make it unfamiliar to those who grew up loving this exhibit.