What does baking powder and Galt Street in Virden have in common? Street names often have historic backgrounds that are rooted in prominent figures in history.
There are the obvious nods to famous persons like Victoria Ave. named for Queen Victoria or Lipton Street named for the tea merchant of the same name.
In the case of Galt Street, local history reveals why that street bears its name.
The Galt family name is deeply rooted in Manitoba history and especially in Manitoban kitchens. George Frederick Galt was born in Toronto in 1855, son of Chief Justice Thomas Galt and Francis Louise Galt. He came west to Winnipeg in 1882 founding the wholesale tea importing firm of G. F. and J. Galt with his nephew John Galt.
Together they established offices across the west and created Blue Ribbon Limited which is famous for its baking powder. Blue Ribbon products dominated the market in the late Victorian period up until 2015 when its parent company Unilever Canada quietly pulled the Blue Ribbon name from shelves.
During Blue Ribbon’s more than century-long lifespan, the Galt name became a Winnipeg, and eventually Manitoban, household name. Today it graces an entire city block in Winnipeg as well as several heritage buildings in the historic Exchange District.
Blue Ribbon is engrained in Canadian history as a staple in many households, and its influence can be seen at the Pioneer Home Museum as well. In our collection we have many Blue Ribbon products including spices, baking powder, tea, coupons and cookbooks. All of these things would not have been possible without the work and legacy of George Galt whose name has a permanent place here in Virden.
Submitted by Allisa Venema, a summer tour guide at the Pioneer Home Museum.
