One Great History

What even is an archive? Do we even really need them? Sabrina and Alex tackle these questions and talk to archivist Tom Nesmith and filmmakers Jesse Green and Vanda Fleury-Green about the importance of the City of Winnipeg archives and the less-than-ideal situation they're in.

In 1914, Nellie McClung and a delegation of her fellow suffragettes went to the provincial legislature to be heard on the topic of women voting. While they presented their best arguments in favour of suffrage, McClung found herself half-hoping that Premier Roblin would not be swayed. If he somehow changed his mind, after all, it would make her biting impression of him the very next night somewhat awkward.

In this episode we talk about the Manitoba suffrage movement's most famous piece of campaigning: the mock parliament presented at the Walker Theatre, a role-reversal in which women debated whether men ought to vote. We also talk about the problematic politics of Nellie McClung. (Spoiler: Alex has VERY mixed feelings.)

Sabrina and Alex explore an uglier side of Winnipeg's history in this episode, namely, the rise of fascism and Nazism in Winnipeg in the 1930s. We discuss the rise and fall of the various parties (yes, there were more than one) and the countless ways Winnipeggers fought back against them, including a large riot called the Battle At Market Square.

Warning: this episode does contain discussion of antisemitism.

Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Winnipeg had not one, but three red light districts. Over and over, we debated over how best to deal with the existence of sex work. Create a "segregated district" for ease of policing? Shut down the district (again) to preserve the morality of the city? Find out what happened on this new episode of One Great History!

It's finally time for Sabrina to talk about her favourite garbageman: Robert "Ginger" Snook! From city scavenger, eccentric electoral candidate,  and absurd local celebrity, Ginger Snook was everywhere in the early 1900s and was remembered (not fondly, but remembered) by many who knew him.

Prohibition is always a fun topic - speakeasies, Al Capone, bootlegging! Alex is here to tell you that none of that exciting stuff happened in Manitoba. Believe it or not, Manitobans demanded prohibition. And then we changed our mind. Were temperance-advocates just middle-class busybodies? Did bootleg liquor really taste like old boots? Listen to find out!

In part two of this episode, Sabrina continues to take Alex and Nick through the wonderful world of vaudeville in Winnipeg with the help of vaudeville performer Grant Simpson, focusing on performers young, old and famous! Learn all about how Charlie Chaplin was almost tricked into coming here, how Buster Keaton ran for his life from his own family, and so much more.

Sabrina takes Alex and Nick through the wonderful world of vaudeville in Winnipeg with the help of vaudeville performer Grant Simpson. Vaudeville held a major place in Winnipeg's heart at the turn of the 20th century as one of North America's most popular forms of theatre, with a handful of theatres and hundreds of exciting acts - including Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin, and more!

Is it proper to walk arm-in-arm with your sweetheart? Should you sue a man for 'wasting your kisses'? You should probably tell you fiance about your secret child, right? Find out the answers to these not-so-pressing questions as Sabrina and Alex explore Problems of the Heart, a 1920s advice column published in the Winnipeg Tribune.

In our season one finale, Sabrina debunks and discusses some Winnipeg urban legends!