The Manitoba Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Manitoba Legislative Building is the seat of the provincial government at 450 Broadway in Winnipeg. This neoclassical landmark, finished in the early 1920s and topped by the gilded Golden Boy, is known for its grand architecture and for a lively mix of political scandal and Masonic legend.

The story behind it

The building was designed in the early 20th century to show off the ambitions of a young province, and it was clad in pale local limestone. Its look is classical, with temple-like columns, sculpture and a tall central dome. At the top stands the Golden Boy, a gilded figure often linked to Hermes, the messenger god of Greek myth.

Many visitors come for the stories. One popular theory says the architecture was planned around Masonic symbolism and the lore of the Temple of Solomon. It points to the Greco-Roman imagery, the sphinxes and the pair of guardian bison inside. This reading is a matter of debate and the symbolism is open to interpretation, but it makes the building a fascinating one to look at closely. The best documented story is about money. Construction costs were tied to a corruption scandal around 1915 that involved the building's contractor, Thomas Kelly, and it helped bring down the provincial government of the day.

What to look for

• The Golden Boy on top of the dome, a gilded figure carrying a sheaf of wheat and a torch, which you can pick out from far along Broadway.
• The two bison guarding the grand staircase inside, which are among the building's best-known sculptures.
• The pale limestone walls, where careful eyes may spot small fossils in the stone.
• The classical sculpture and carved details on the exterior and in the entrance hall, including figures drawn from Greek, Roman and Egyptian imagery.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes to walk the grounds and photograph the facade. Allow longer if you join a tour inside.
• The grounds are open to walk around, and the building has offered guided tours. Check current opening hours and tour details before you go.
• Soft late-afternoon light is good for photos of the front, and the gilded statue catches the sun well.
• The Legislative Building is close to the Assiniboine River and the Forks area, so it combines easily with a longer walk through central Winnipeg.

See it on a quest

Historic Winnipeg: Secret Societies brings you to the Legislative Building on foot as one stop on a longer route through the city. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. With a secret societies theme, the building's symbols and legends are a natural fit. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like.