The Winnipeg Real Estate Board established the Citizens Hall of Fame in Assiniboine Park in 1986. Initially the Board wanted to host an event that would recognize outstanding individual contributions to the City of Winnipeg. It soon became evident that there was no lack of dinners, banquets, and other events honouring Winnipeg citizens for extraordinary achievements. Such recognition, however, was a fleeting testament to individual effort. The lack of permanent and public facility to honour outstanding Winnipeggers led to the creation of the concept of the Citizens Hall of Fame.
Some 30 sculptures honour Winnipegers from virtually every walk of life who have made extraordinary contributions to their community. Those honoured include politicians, businessmen, artists, educators and ground-breaking research scientists.
