Ross House Museum

Ross House Museum is a rare and outstanding example of a Red River frame dwelling, which was built by one of the Red River settlement’s prominent Métis families. For a period it doubled as Western Canada’s first post office. Made almost entirely out of hand hewn logs, the structure is a simplified expression of Georgian style architecture commonly used in the settlement. Its robust facades of oak timber and glass window panes imported from England enhance the otherwise modest appointments. The house, then called Brookbank, was erected by William Ross, who had served the local council of Assiniboia as sheriff, jailer, magistrate, and councillor, and in 1855 he became its first postmaster, a role he carried out from his residence until his death in 1856. Members of his family continued to occupy the premises until the early 1900s. The building now houses a museum.