Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/1/2015 (2073 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Museum is creating a travelling exhibit to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Manitoba extending the vote to women – and they’re looking for memories.

Or artifacts. Or even an original ballot.

"Social and political movements don’t leave many objects behind," said Roland Sawatzky, the museum’s curator of history. "Things like banners, flags and pamphlets are often lost or thrown away after the movement succeeds or fades. But we’re not just looking for political statements. Everyday objects that are in some way connected to the Suffragist movement, like a dress or pen or shoes, would be just as welcome."

Manitoba was the first province to allow women to vote, amending the provincial election act on Jan. 28, 1916. The campaign to extend the vote to women had been led by the Icelandic community and activists like writer Nellie McClung.

The museum’s exhibit will open on Nov. 15 and will run until Feb. 9, 2016. For the next eight months, it will be shown across Manitoba before opening at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa on Nov. 17, 2016.

The travelling version of Nice Women Don’t Want the Vote will consist of four cases, including an interactive audio component featuring a selection of oral history clips. The other three cases will contain artifacts, historical photos and documents. An accompanying teacher’s guide will supplement the exhibit and act as a class resource for the Manitoba Grade 9 social studies curriculum.

If you have an artifact or story that you think should be considered for this exhibit, contact the Manitoba Museum at 204-988-0634 or rsawatzky@manitobamuseum.ca.