Wasyl Negrych Homestead National Historic Site: A Window into Early Ukrainian Settlement
Nestled in a sheltered valley near Dauphin, Manitoba, the Wasyl Negrych Homestead stands as one of the earliest and most complete examples of a Ukrainian pioneer farm in Canada. Designated a National Historic Site in 1996, it offers a rare and remarkably preserved glimpse into the lives of early Ukrainian settlers on the Canadian Prairies.
Wasyl and Anna Negrych immigrated to Canada with their children in the late 19th century, joining many fellow Ukrainians who settled in the Dauphin Block Settlement. Between 1897 and 1910, the Negrych family built ten rustic log buildings using local materials and traditional Ukrainian techniques. Eight of those original structures still stand, including the main house, a bunkhouse, and outdoor bake ovens.
The site is rich with unique architectural features, such as the Carpathian-style long-shingled roof and the peech—a massive log-and-clay cookstove that was once the heart of every Ukrainian home. Handmade hardware and construction details showcase the settlers’ resourcefulness and craftsmanship, as they adapted their Old World traditions to a new land.
The homestead is not only significant for its age and condition, but also because the main house is the oldest known Ukrainian dwelling in Canada still standing on its original site. Surrounded by fields, orchards, and aligned with an early colonization road, the farmstead is a living reflection of the cultural landscape shaped by early Ukrainian immigrants.
Today, the Wasyl Negrych Homestead serves as a heritage site, helping to interpret the settlement experience of Ukrainian pioneers and preserving the cultural legacy they left behind. It stands as a tribute to their resilience, adaptability, and enduring contributions to Canada's Prairie history. The site is open daily in July and August, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. with a small admission fee. The site is a self-guided tour with signs at each area, and there is an employee on site.
