Look inside a restored 119-year-old home in North Point Douglas
When you step through the front door of Matthew Jacobi's 119-year-old home, it's like jumping back through history.
For the past year, Jacobi has been restoring his Queen Anne Revival-era home in Winnipeg's North Point Douglas neighbourhood back to its former glory.
"It's been a challenge, but well worth it," he told CTV News.
From original stained glass windows to special order mother-of-pearl light switches, even the lightbulbs themselves – the details of the house are exactly as they were when it was built in 1905.
That's just the way Jacobi likes it.
Matthew Jacobi's house in the Winnipeg's North Point Douglas neighbourhood. April 23, 2024. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg)
"I think the Victorian and Edwardian eras were just a simpler time in many ways," he said.
"They really appreciated tea parties and garden parties and some of the finer things, and it was a slower pace of life. And I think that we really need to return to some of those things."
While there's still work to be done, Jacobi has completed most of the home's main floor – the front parlour, the dining room, and the kitchen – complete with an electric stove from 1920 and an ice box.
"No dishwasher, and I'm happy about that," he said.
Jacobi has been interested in restoring homes since he was young, visiting his grandparent's home that had been built in 1894. He started this type of restoration project about 15 years ago, and is hoping to complete many more.
Matthew Jacobi standing in the dining room of his restored home in Winnipeg's North Point Douglas neighbourhood. April 23, 2024. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg)
"We have all the technology, we have all the power tools, but there's something about a home built with hand tools and in a simpler time with the level of detail," he said. "It's not only about the physical structure, but it's about the stories and the people that those embody as well."
Jacobi's work on the home was recognized by Heritage Winnipeg, naming him as one of three winners of the annual Preservation Award.
"It's a testament that you don't need to have designation to protect and bring these homes back to their opulent glory," said Heritage Winnipeg Executive Director Cindy Tugwell.
"I think particularly to give focus to North Point Douglas and the North End. We can't abandon that part of the city. It's really where a lot of our history started, so these beautiful historic homes represent our history."
While sourcing materials and furniture from the early 1900s has come at a cost, Jacobi said it has been rewarding. He hopes his home will inspire others to help keep Winnipeg's history standing for generations to come.
"Once these houses are lost, they cannot be replicated. It's important to preserve them," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.