Beatrice C. Hall graduated from Brandon College c. 1923. She was a teacher of some kind and died in California when she was about 80 years of age.
Custodial History
This ring was part of a donation, along with item 23, from Jean Bennest, class of 1934. It's original owner was Beatrice C. Campbell (nee Hall), a relative of Jean Bennest, and Brandon College graduate.
Scope and Content
The ring is oval in shape and made of gold. It has the letters "BC" entwined in the centre of the oval. There is lettering around the "BC" but it is worn and difficult to make out. It may read "Recte et Suavitem."
Notes
Part of BU 16.2 Artifacts - apparel. History/Bio information provided by Jean Bennest.
Item was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Consists of a blue and gold felt crest. The letters "B" and "C" in blue on a gold background are intertwined at the top centre of the crest. Below that, in black lettering on a gold background is "McM.U." Below that in gold on a blue background is an oil lamp on a book (lamp of knowledge).
Item was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Consists of a blue and gold felt crest that reads "Manitoba Junior Basketball Champions '36-'37" in blue lettering on gold banners around the outside on the crest. In the centre of the crest is a basketball figure and in gold lettering on a blue background, the words "Brandon College."
The chain between the Brandon College portion of the pin and the '35 portion of the pin is broken. There is some discoloration on the '35 pin.
Custodial History
Item belonged to Winnifred Harvery, B.A. '35. It was donted to the Alumni Association at Brandon University in 1990.
Scope and Content
The pin consists of two parts, both pins in their own right. The first pin is a circle, 1 cm in diameter, with a small banner on top. The main circle is black with BC entwined in the middle and a link border around the outside. The lettering and border are in gold. The banner on top is also black, with the letters McM.U. in gold. This pin is linked to a second pin by a gold chain. The second pin consists of the numbers '35, in gold.
This pin was part of a donation, along with item 24, from Jean Bennest, class of 1934. It's original owner is unknown. The date the items arrived at the McKee Archives is also unknown.
Scope and Content
The pin consists of two parts, both pins in their own right. The first pin consists of three triangles and is art deco in design. The background of the triangles is red with each triangle edged in silver. The smallest triangle contains the letter "B, " the middle triangle the lettter "C," and the largest triangle the word "Arts." All the lettering is in silver. The first pin is connected to the second pin by a silver chain. The second pin consists of the number 30 and is sterling silver.
These eleven keys were used to open various locks in Clark Hall and the Brandon College Building prior to the restoration of those buildings in 1995-1996. Seven of the keys are labelled and range in size from 4.5 cm to 6 cm. Some are silver, others are gold in colour. They include: Room 118, Clark Hall; D.R. MacKay's Secretary - File cab.; South Entrance 2nd CL; S. door hallway; Storage Room Clark Hall 4th floor; Rm #3 HK277; and Personnel Office. The remaining 4 keys are all silver and vary in size from 3.5 cm to 6 cm.
Notes
Part of BU 16.3 Artifacts - other.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series16: Brandon University/College artifacts
16.3 Artifacts - other
Box 2
87.5 cm (57.5 cm textual records and 29 photographs)
History / Biographical
Gerald Brown was born and raised in Vista, Manitoba. He attended Islay and Rossburn schools. In 1955, he attended Brandon College to take the one year Teacher Training Course. He was part of the first graduating T.T.C. class at Brandon College. After graduation he taught in Ninga, MB. He also taught in Brandon and C.F.B. Shilo. In 1965, he moved to Winnipeg to pursue a career in school librarianship and information services until he retired in 1992. By the end of his career he had been Chief Librarian for thirteen years. He received a B.A. from Brandon College in 1964, a B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba in 1965, a Master of Library Science from Western Michigan in 1968, and a M. Ed. from the University of Manitoba in 1972. He is also very involved with music. At present Gerald Brown continues to live in Winnpeg, MB.
Custodial History
Accession 24-2009: Brown compiled these materials from the personal collections of Colin Mailer, Lorne Watson, Norman Kalinski and Gerald Brown. He delivered them to the Archives on November 17, 2009.
Accession 5-2013: Materials collected and written by Gerald R. Brown in the course of preparing for and attending the Islay (Vista) School District No. 733 reunion held in Rossburn, MB on August 4-6, 2006.
Scope and Content
Accession 30-1998 consists of newspaper clippings for Brandon College 1955-56 complied by Gerald Brown for the 41st anniversary of the graduation of the Brandon College Teacher Training Class of 1956; photographs of the TTC of 1956; the Reunion Yearbook for the anniversary of the 1956 TTC class; and a copy of the program for the 1998 production of W.S. Gilbert and Sullivan musical The Yeoman of the Guard.
Accession 3-1999 consists of a compilation of nine seasons of Gilbert & Sullivan Society pictures, programs, and newsletters. Mr. Brown and other graduates of the Brandon School of Music are among the cast members.
Accession 2-2001 consists of copies of the newsletter, Titipu Times, for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Winnipeg, Volume 10, 1-4, a 10th Anniversary Program (2000) and a list of ensemble singers 2000/2001.
Accession 4-2001 consists of a scrapbook and programs for the following Gilbert & Sullivan productions: “Patience” (performed April 6-9, 2000 in Winnipeg) and “Pirates of Penzance” (April 5-8, 2001).
Accession 7-2001 consists of 4 colour photographs and a one page summary of the activities of the Reunion TTC 1956 during the May 2001 Convocation.
Accession 4-2003 consists of colour photographs of the 41st Reunion of the Brandon College Teacher Training Course 1955-56 held in May 2001. Included as well is a "Past History Summary" of the Class of 56 Reunions and a copy of Reflecting on Our Past, a publication of the Brandon School Division.
Accession 27-2006 consists of materials collected and written by Gerald R. Brown in the course of preparing for and attending the Islay (Vista) School District No. 733 reunion held in Rossburn, MB on August 4-6, 2006. It includes a copy of "Vista Tales. . . from Islay School District No. 733 in Vista, Manitoba" compiled and edited by Gerald R. Brown (c.2006), a program of events for the reunion, a copy of the reunion worship service program, and 15 postcards entitled "Vista Views," which were sold at the reunion.
Accession 19-2007 includes biographical information on Isabelle Mills, former faculty member of Brandon College (School of Music) and the program for HMS Pinafore, presented by the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Winnipeg (2003).
Accession 24-2009 (1938-2009, 30 cm textual records) consists of the records of the Brandon Festival of the Arts. Included are: meeting minutes (Executive, Regular and Annual), reports, financial reports, correspondence; programs and syllabi from the Festival; and Festival highlights and similar programs.
Accession 5-2013 (1951-1952, 2006, 5 cm textual records, 3 CDs) consists of hard copies of "Vista Tales. . . from Islay School District No. 733 in Vista, Manitoba Reunion Photo File" and "Vista Tales. . . from Islay School District No. 733 in Vista, Manitoba Alunni & Community Events" compiled and edited by Gerald R. Brown (c.2006). Also includes three CDs containing ditigal versions of all three Vista Tales volumes and a a copy of the 1951-1952 Foxwarren High School yearbook.
Martin Wesley Johns was born to missionary parents Alfred and Myrtle Johns in Chengtu, West China on March 23, 1913. The family returned to Canada in 1925. Johns attended high schools in Tacoma, Washington; Vancouver, BC; Brandon, Manitoba; and Exeter, Ontario. He studied at Brandon College from 1928-1931 before obtaining his B.A. (1932) and M.A. (1934) from McMaster University and his Ph.D. From the University of Toronto (1938). From 1937-1946, he taught physics at Brandon College. In 1972, Brandon University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Johns served in the Canadian Officers Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) in 1940-1941 doing research concerned with neutron physics at Chalk River. In 1947, he joined the Physics Department at McMaster University, where he remained for the remainder of his career.
Johns married Margaret Mary Hilborn on July 15, 1939. Together they have four children: Robert, Elizabeth, Kenneth and Kathryn. Following Margaret's death c. 1979, Johns was married to Elsie North for twenty years. At the age of 90, Johns fell in love with his sweetheart Marian Thompson.
Martin Wesley Johns died on September 18, 2008 at McMaster Hospital.
Custodial History
The notebooks in accession 17-2007 were in the possession of Wesley Wong, former member of the Physics Department at Brandon College, who mailed them to Martin Johns in 2002. Wong suggested Johns donate them to the McKee Archives, which he did on January 28, 2004. The photographs in accession 8-2009 were sent to Carla Eisler, Alumni Relations Officer, Brandon University by Ken Johns (Martin Johns' son) following Martin's death. Eisler transfered them to the Archives in February 2009.
Scope and Content
Accession 17-2007 contains two lab record notebooks used by Martin Johns while he was a member of Brandon College's Department of Physics. The notebooks record class lists, grades, absences, and seating charts for courses Johns taught, as well as regulations for lab reports and major assignments.
Accession 8-2009 contains twenty-one black and white photographs dealing with Brandon College students, faculty and buildings. There a a few photographs of Brandon, as well as one of the Queen Mother from her visit to Brandon in 1939.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Martin W. Johns bio file in the Archives reading room.
The cairn was constructed in 1999 as part of the University's centennial activities. It was built by Mike Brewer, a local stonemason, using stones taken from the original site of Prairie College, which was located one mile north of Rapid City. The project was inspired by President Dennis Anderson, who wanted to povide a physical symbol on campus of Prairie College, as it was linked through the McKee Academy (located in Rapid City until 1890 and then in Brandon until 1898), Brandon College and Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The cairn is located in front of the Original Building east entrance. A time capsul, containing a list of the items enclosed, as well as copies of the 199-2001 Brandon University General Calendar, the 1998-1999 Brandon University Students' Union student handbook, the 1999 Brandon University Spring Convocation program, a Brandon University at a Glance fact sheet, the Spring 1999 edition of Alumni News, the March 17, 1999 edition of the Quill, a 1999 Mini University program, the Prairie College archaeology project abstract, a Prairie College archaeology project poster, the July 2, 1999 edition of the Brandon Sun, the 1999-2000 City of Brandon Tourist Guide, a Brandon city map and a Canadian Federation of Students pamphlet, was sealed inside the cairn on July 2, 1999 as part of the 100th Anniversary celbrations of Brandon University.
Notes
Part of BU 16.3 Artifacts - other. History/Bio provided by Tom Mitchell (April 10, 2007).
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series16: Brandon University/College artifacts
16.3 Artifacts - other
East side of the Original Building
Related Material
Photographs of the cairn dedication ceremony are located in the Brandon University Photograph collection under series 10 (Special Events) in the 100th Anniversary sub-series. Thomasin Playford's "Archaeological investigations at the Prairie College site (EaMA-9): a Baptist College in the Canadian Northwest (final report for grant 98F-W149)" and John Edwin Davis' "The life story of a leper: autobiography of John E. Davis, Canadian Baptist missionary among the Telugus." Both are available in the John E. Robbins Library.
Robert (Bob) Troy Blair was born on March 11, 1930 in Brandon, MB. His first six years were spent in Alexander, MB, where his father and uncle operated a grocery store. In 1936, his family moved to Souris, MB, where his father ran a grocery store. Blair received his primary and high school education, with the exception of Grade 12, in Souris.
Blair remembers his school years in Souris as mainly happy years. He was involved with both piano and organ music lessons. he was never interested in physical sports with the exception of golf. World War II broke out in September of 1939. Souris became the site of #17 SFTS and home base for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Many of the service men came from England, Australia and New Zealand. Blair's mother always entertained at least two for dinner every Sunday. Rationing of sugar, tea and coffee, butter and meat became a way of life. Blair had the job every Saturday of pasting the ration coupons into booklets. It was also when he was in Grade 6, that Blair realized he was more attracted to boys than to girls. Perhaps it was because so many attractive airmen surrounded him!
In November of 1947, the Blair family relocated to Alexander where Bob Blair finished his Grade 11. This was not a good year due to bullying. In September of 1948, Blair moved to Winnipeg to attend United College for his Grade 12. Upon completion of Grade 12, Blair remained in Winnipeg until June 1950. he worked at a number of businesses - Gestetner, Eaton's Mail Order shoe department, Maple Leaf Milling, and the drug store in the Medical Arts Building. In September 1950, he entered Brandon College. Blair was very active in extra-curricular affairs while at Brandon College; particularly drama. Following his B.A. he enrolled in the Education Faculty, having decided to become a teacher.
Blair's teaching career spanned 34 years. All but one year was spent in the Brandon School Division. On his first day of teaching in the Division he met the man with whom he would spend the next 46 years. He was primarily a teacher of English and Music. A highlight of his career was exchange teaching in Sacramento, California in 1961. Orientation for exchange took place in August in Washington, D.C., where Blair had the opportunity to meet President J.F. Kennedy. He vividly recals the morning that JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963. In September 1965, Blair assumed the principalship of Park School and in September of 1969, the same position at George Fitton School where re remained until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Brandon Picnipals' Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and servedas President of the Brandon Teachers' Association. Among his major accomplishments during his time as principal were the introduction of a centralized school library in both Park and George Fitton Schools and the integration of special needs students into regular classroom situations wherever possible. He was made a Life Member of the Manitoba Teachers' Society (Brandon) in June 1990. Following his retirement Blair worked as a Library Automation Consultant (1989-1993).
Blair also had numerous community involvements during his time in Brandon. he was active in the Brandon Little Theatre (Best Actor Award, Manitoba Drama Festival for One Act Plays in 1963), the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition, and Arm Industries to name a few.
Following the death of his partner in 2001, Blair moved to Saskatoon to live with a younger gay couple. He has been active in volunteerism: as an Ambassador for the Saskatoon Airport Authority, assistant with the Saskatoon Health Region's Immunization Clinics, information clerk for the Festival of Trees, data entry clerk for the Saskatoon Music Festival, on the Board of the Saskatoon Jazz Society, and Hospitality Coordinator for the Saskatoon Jazz Festival.
Robert Troy Blair died on July 2, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK. He is buried in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were in Blair's possession until he donated them to the Mckee Archives on Homecoming weekend October 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two scrapbooks containing 145 photographs and ephemera (play and graduation programs, tickets, pins, newspaper clippings) documenting Bob Blair's days at Brandon College. Social events and extra-curricular activities are heavily featured in the two scrapbooks. Also included are graduation portraits for the Classes of 1951, 1952 and 1953. Of the 145 photographs all are black and white except for two photos of the Class of '53 reconvocation (May 1993), and one from the Class of '53 reunion (2003).
The Brandon University scarf was custom designed by William Chelsea. The design was called "Corner with a Core."
Scope and Content
Item is white polyester scarf measuring 53 x 57 cm. The scarf has two thick blue bands, with a thinner gold band in between, running around its edges. Each corner bearsh the Brandon University crest in blue, circled by the words Brandon University Brandon Manitoba Canada 67 in gold. The centre of the scarf has a diamond made of two thin blue strips with a thicker gold strip in between. The diamond has the same crests and wording in each corner.
Notes
Part of BU 16.2 Artifacts - apparel. History/Bio information from the Summer 1980 issue of Alumni News.
The Brandon College and Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee was active from 1960 to 1972. The Committee was established to promote the visual arts in Brandon through education and to sponsor exhibitions featuring the work of local artists.
Custodial History
The records were assembled by Robert Inch of the Brandon University Extension Office and Professor D.V. Reilly, who taught art through the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. They were donated to the McKee Archives in 1997.
Scope and Content
The sub-series contains records of past exhibitions, minutes and correspondence of the Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee. Sub-series also contains personal files on some artists consisting of correspondence and information pertaining to exhibitions of their work. There are also extensive files on past exhibits including advertising, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications and files concerning local affiliated art clubs, such as the Student Camera Club at Brandon University.
The spoons celebrate Brandon University's 25th Anniversary (1967-1992). They are gold plated teaspoons with a round emblem in blue with the words "Brandon University 25, 1967-1992" in gold. The spoons are approximately 11.5 cm long.
Notes
Part of BU 16.3 Artifacts - other.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series16: Brandon University/College artifacts
16.3 Artifacts - other
Box 2
Item was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Consists of a BU Class of 1982 badge that also celebrates Brandon's Centennial. It measures 4.5 x 5.75" and is made of god polyester. It has a blue border and all of the writing on the badge is in the same blue.
Item was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Consists of a BU Class of 1986 badge. Measuring 3.5 x 3.5", the badge is whte with blue writing and embroidered border. It reads "Class of 86 Brandon University."
