Arborg, Manitoba

Arborg (2006 Population 1,021) is a town located in the Rural Municipality of Bifrost in Manitoba's Interlake Region, 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

The picturesque setting along the Icelandic River was first settled more than 100 years ago. Its first postal address was Ardal (Meaning "River Valley") but in 1910 when CPR reached the settlement, the name was changed to Arborg (Meaning "River Town").

Icelanders established homesteads to the east, west and north of the village and by 1908 the first Polish and Ukrainian settlers had arrived in the area. The coming of the railroad brought large numbers of Ukrainians who settled throughout the district along with groups from other European countries. This mixture gave Arborg a rich cultural diversity and its own distinct character. The many different churches, the ethnic foods and the social activities are all evidence of the cultural complexity of the town.

Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village

The Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village Committee is committed to creating an interpretive center dedicated to preserving and showcasing the multicultural history of the area in a working village, depicting a rural Manitoba farming community.

The Village would consist of a collection of historical buildings and artifacts, and would be built, run, and maintained by volunteers as a family attraction during the summer months. Actors would be dressed in periodic costume and would run displays in different areas of the Village. The Village would provide a family type setting where young and old alike could meet, learn and reminisce about the past.

The very first building, the Trausti Vigfusson house was moved on site by a team of horses, commemorating the community spirit that built the area in the early 1900s. The Village will be located on the south side of the scenic Icelandic River, just outside the Town

The Heritage Village will provide a link between all cultures, a link between young and old. There is a need for preserving the memories of the past, which have directly shaped our lives and our community. The Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village is a unique and exciting community concept envisioned to promote and preserve for tomorrow those memories of the past.

The Heritage Village had its grand opening May 24th 2008. To date a hall, church, caboose, outdoor bake oven and three houses have been completed. A school has been moved on the site and is currently awaiting restoration along with a foreman’s rail car. The next building being moved to the site will be a Ukrainian log house.

World's Largest Curling Rock

Arborg is also home to the world's largest curling rock, which measures 4.2 meters across and 2.1 meters tall. Unlike an actual curling rock however, it is constructed with steel, foam, and fiberglass, with most of the weight consisting in the steel support beams.

Links

* [http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2005/06/2005-06-07-02.html Manitoba Hydro Press Release on Bio-Diesel]
* [http://www.arborgheritagevillage.ca/ Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village]