Hudson's Bay Company announces donation of historic mural to The Manitoba Museum
September 30, 2014 | In the PressHudson's Bay Company (HBC) announced today the donation of a significant piece of its historic art collection to The Manitoba Museum (the "Museum") in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Pioneer at Fort Garry, a 16.5-metre by 3-metre oil-on-canvas mural, which had been a fixture in the Hudson's Bay Winnipeg Downtown store since 1927, was removed in January 2014 in preparation for donation to the Museum. Its companion piece, The Nonsuch at Fort Charles, was also displayed in the Winnipeg store until its removal in 1948. Deeply ingrained in Winnipeg culture, The Pioneer is a cherished piece of artwork that is fondly remembered and has been admired by generations of Hudson's Bay shoppers.
"We are incredibly pleased to be sharing such a treasured piece of HBC heritage with The Manitoba Museum," saidRichard Baker, Governor and CEO of Hudson's Bay Company. "This mural is intrinsically linked to the city of Winnipegand serves as a monument to both the city and the Company's early history together. The Museum is the perfect home to ensure future generations will continue to enjoy this artwork showcasing a moment in Manitoba's history."
The mural by Adam Sheriff Scott, assisted by E. T. Adney, shows the original sternwheeler, the Pioneer, below Fort Garry in 1861, discharging goods that had arrived by way of St. Paul, Minnesota. Sherriff-Scott and Adney were commissioned by HBC in May 1927 to prepare and complete the two murals for the elevator lobby of the Winnipeg Downtown store.
"The Manitoba Museum is extremely grateful to Hudson's Bay Company for this most recent artifact donation and its long-standing support of the HBC Museum Collection and the Nonsuch ketch," commented Claudette Leclerc, Chief Executive Officer, The Manitoba Museum. "The historical significance of these murals is twofold, not only do they depict highly accurate representations of fur trade history, but they were also such a prominent feature in theWinnipeg store that they have become an important part of our city's history as well."
The donation marks the anniversary of two historic events: the 40th anniversary of the transfer of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives (HBCA) to the Archives of Manitoba in Winnipeg (the "Archives"), and the 20th anniversary of the donation of the archives and HBC Museum artifact collection to the Archives and the Museum, respectively, as well as the founding of the Hudson's Bay Company History Foundation.
To commemorate these milestones, the Archives, in partnership with the Museum, Canada's National History Society and HBC, hosted a reception on September 30th, 2014 at 2 p.m., which included archival displays from the holdings of the HBCA.
About the Hudson's Bay Company History Foundation
Established in 1994, the Hudson's Bay Company History Foundation (HBCHF) was created following the donation of the HBC Archives to the Archives of Manitoba and the HBC Museum Collection to The Manitoba Museum to provide operating funds for the continued maintenance of these two collections in perpetuity. The Foundation also supports other specific projects related to HBC history, such as the HBC Education Program, which provides free resources for teachers and their students.
About Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670, is North America's longest continually operated company. Today, HBC offers customers a range of retailing categories and shopping experiences primarily in the United States and Canada. Our leading banners – Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH – offer a compelling assortment of apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty and home merchandise. Hudson's Bay is Canada'smost prominent department store with 90 full-line locations, one outlet store and thebay.com. Lord & Taylor operates 49 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., four Lord & Taylor outlet locations and lordandtaylor.com. Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent luxury specialty retailers, comprises 40 U.S. stores, five international licensed stores and saks.com. OFF 5TH offers value-oriented merchandise through 79 U.S. stores and saksoff5th.com. Home Outfitters is Canada's largest kitchen, bed and bath specialty superstore with 69 locations. Hudson's Bay Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBC".
