The Beautiful Plains Archives: Local Voices, Lasting History

Preserving Local History, Close to Home
By Liway Cabrera – Local Journalism Initiative

In this episode of Coffee Chat, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Norma Forsman from the Beautiful Plains Archives—an initiative dedicated to preserving the rich history of Neepawa and its surrounding communities.

Keeping History Local

“The purpose of the Beautiful Plains Archives is to preserve the history of the Beautiful Plains area and to keep it in our local community of Neepawa,” said Forsman. “It covers a large area, including the Town of Neepawa, the RMs of Rosedale, North Cypress–Langford, and Glenella–Lansdowne.”

By maintaining historical records locally, the Archives makes it easier for community members to access and explore their shared history—without needing to make the trip to the Manitoba Archives in Winnipeg.

Established in 2003, the Archives is located in the lower level of the historic Beautiful Plains County Courthouse on Hamilton Street. Gaining formal recognition under the umbrella of the Manitoba Archives required time and paperwork, but once in place, the organization began collecting local contributions. According to Forsman, it’s been remarkable to see how many people have stepped forward with items that help tell the story of the region.

Carrying the Torch

While the Archives once had a large volunteer Board of Directors, that number has dwindled over time. Forsman hopes to revive community involvement:
“We’re always encouraging people with an interest in history to consider joining our volunteer board.”

The pandemic also disrupted activity, but the group is slowly rebuilding momentum. “During COVID, things really paused. It took a while to get going again. We had a meeting in January, and I’m hoping to meet every two to three months—just to keep everyone updated on what’s happening, our progress, new fundraising efforts, and ways we can open the Archives up more to the public.”

Trust and Transparency

When asked how the Archives ensures the accuracy of donated materials, Forsman said that formal validation hasn’t yet been a major issue.
“I haven’t really run into a situation where I’ve questioned the authenticity of an item,” she explained. “Most of the people who come in are familiar, and when I look at what they’re donating and talk with them about it, I can usually tell that the information lines up with the family, business, or organization it’s from.”

That said, she’s aware that a more formal validation process may be needed in the future. “If it ever comes up, I’d likely reach out to the Manitoba Archives or the Association of Manitoba Archives for guidance on the proper professional process.”

Ongoing Projects, Future Goals

The Archives is currently working to preserve valuable municipal records from the Town of Neepawa and nearby RMs—documents like assessment rolls and tax collector records.

One of the most significant recent donations came from Neepawa Banner & Press publisher Ken Waddell, who contributed the complete physical collection of The Neepawa Press, along with a large set of photo negatives.
“These newspapers date back as far as 1896,” Forsman noted. “Some are so fragile, they almost crumble in your hands. That’s why we’re trying to get funding for a document scanner that can safely digitize them.”

The goal is to protect these materials and make them accessible right here in Neepawa—so local researchers don’t have to travel to Winnipeg to find them.

Why It Matters

Understanding local history fosters a deeper connection to place. Reflecting on the past helps individuals see themselves as part of a broader shared story—and can inspire them to engage more actively in shaping the future of their town.