The idea of the restoration of Grant’s Mill on Sturgeon Creek was first conceived by the Pioneer Citizens Association led by retired clergymen Francis Walker “Frank” Armstrong who had helped establish the St. James-Assiniboia Historical Museum. In June of 1973 they received a Senior Citizens grant of $7,900. 

In September 1973 the project was accepted by the Winnipeg Centennial Committee as a recognized centennial project. In January of 1974 the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg expressed a desire to adopt the restoration of the Mill as their Centennial project with an estimated input of $50,000. On March 27th 1974 a generous gift was pledged to the committee from the National Grain Company Limited. This money was earmarked for the landscaping and beautification of the area surrounding the mill.

Tamarac logs of required size for the log walls of the mill were secured in the Whiteshell area (120km E of Winnipeg). Ogilvie Flour Mills provided the millstones from Garson (40km NE of Winnipeg) and the working parts. In addition the city of Winnipeg, through the Community Committee, was asked to construct a low level dam at the site of the mill. On November 18th the Department of Works and Operations approved the plan and accepted the responsibility for construction of the dam at an estimated cost to the city of $20,000. As much as possible the workers used tools that were known to be available in earlier times such as the “adze” and the “broadaxe”, to give a rough hewn appearance to the beams. 

The mill officially opened July 3rd 1975 by Premier Ed Schreyer. In about 1990 the wheel was reconstructed and installed by Peter Jackson and Alphair Ventilating Systems Inc. and the management and staff of St. James Assiniboia Parks and Recreation.

   Constructing the mill c.1974

     The Mill’s Old Wheel in the 1980’s.

A 1970’s/80’s ad inviting people to the opening of the mill for summer.