It was discovered in 1968 when two botanists from a local sub-committee of the International Biological Program surveyed Manitoba for native prairie plant communities.

The museum has an interpretative centre with displays on prairie history and ecology as well as an interactive art installation by Winnipeg artist Collin Zipp, titled lost_landscape.

[1] The Report to St. James-Assiniboia Council at the time said:The importance of the St. James prairie as a sample of original vegetation can hardly be over-emphasized.

[1]In 1973 an interpretive centre was approved by Winnipeg Council, who agreed to pay $50,000 (25% of the cost) of the 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) and would be counted as a Centennial project.

[5] A year later, a group of residents lobbied to have an additional 50–100 acres (20–40 ha), at the time zoned as Industrial, be added to the Living Prairie Museum.