WINNIPEG GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Dalnavert on Drugs: A Victorian House That Reveals the Strange Science of 19th‑Century Medicine
A focused, guided tour at Dalnavert in Winnipeg that examines Victorian-era drug use and medical culture in a 45–60 minute experience for visitors aged 16 and up.
Dalnavert on Drugs: A Victorian House That Reveals the Strange Science of 19th‑Century Medicine.
Discover the intriguing history of drug use in the Victorian era on a special guided tour of Dalnavert. The program unpacks how scientific knowledge, technological advances, societal beliefs and expanding colonial trade shaped 19th‑century medical culture—revealing practices that feel at once familiar and unsettling. The experience is deliberately thought-provoking and intended for mature audiences.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Victorian drug culture laid bare
Explore how 19th‑century science, technology and trade influenced medical treatments and drug use, and encounter stories that illuminate both common and bizarre practices of the era.
A tour with a content warning
Expect frank, graphic descriptions of historic medical practices, addictions and illnesses; the program includes material that some visitors may find distressing.
A heritage house setting
The tour takes place inside Dalnavert, a heritage house that presents period rooms and artifacts; parts of the program use upper‑floor spaces that must be reached by stairs.
What the day feels like
What the tour feels like
A concise, guided walkthrough of Dalnavert that moves through rooms and exhibits while a guide traces the connections between medicine, drugs and society in the 19th century. The visit is compact—planned to run roughly 45 minutes to an hour—and is designed to prompt reflection on both historical practices and their echoes today.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided experience runs approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
The tour departs from Dalnavert at 61 Carlton Street in Winnipeg.
Content includes graphic historic medical detail; upper floors are accessible only by stairs—see the operator’s website for additional accessibility information.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Dalnavert on Drugs tour?
The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Who can attend this tour?
The program is intended for visitors aged 16 and older.
Where do I meet for the tour?
Meet at Dalnavert, 61 Carlton Street in Winnipeg.
Does the tour include graphic or sensitive material?
Yes. The tour includes graphic details of historic medical practices, addictions and illnesses and carries a content warning.
Are the upper floors accessible?
No; the upper floors of the heritage house are accessible only via stairs. For more accessibility information, refer to the operator’s website.
Who operates the Dalnavert on Drugs tour?
The tour is offered by the Friends of Dalnavert Museum.