Annually on the second Saturday of every August we celebrate the life of Cuthbert Grant who made countless contributions for the Métis people (and culture) and Red River Settlement, with a BBQ picnic. During Pioneer Day here at the Mill, you will get to learn more about the history of the fur trade as well as see a working replica of Cuthbert Grant’s original water-powered mill. By 1825 wheat was becoming an important food crop and although there were several windmills in operation in the area, Cuthbert Grant was the first to undertake the construction of a watermill. His mill was completed on Sturgeon Creek in 1829. While the exact location is not known, it is probable that it was close to where the Portage Trail crossed the creek; and it is altogether likely that the dam was used as a bridge for crossing the creek during the season of high water. Unfortunately the dam proved unequal to the spring floods and for three successive years it was washed out. Grant finally abandoned the site and moved his machinery to Grantown where he constructed a successful windmill. Today, our mill is a replica of Cuthbert Grant’s original mill — which sits on Sturgeon Creek here in Winnipeg.