In 1975, Brandon University in cooperation with the Manitoba Pool Elevators, founded the Rural Resources Centre. The Centre was designed to provide rural Manitoba with resource materials for use in the discussion and analysis of problems related to rural social development. It was given a mandate to collect publications and archival materials related to the history of the Manitoba Pool Elevators, cooperative societies, churches, exhibitions, school districts, and Women’s Institutes.
In September 1978, the University transformed the Rural Resources Centre into the Brandon University Archives. Originally housed in a trailer, from October 1981 to September 1998 the University Archives operated out of the Archives Centre located in the basement of the Jeff Umphrey Building at 20th Street and Victoria Avenue.
In 1990 the University Board of Governor’s renamed the University Archives the S. J. McKee Archives. The S. J. McKee Archives was so established on Saturday, November 19, 1990, to mark the anniversary of the opening of the Brandon Academy by S. J. McKee and his wife Laura McKee one hundred years earlier. In 1899, the Brandon Academy founded by Samuel and Laura McKee became Brandon College.
The S. J. McKee Archives moved to its current location on the mezzanine floor of the John E. Robbins Library in the summer of 1998.
The McKee Archives is the principal repository for records of archival value created by the University or which relate to the history and mandate of Brandon College and Brandon University. The Archives collects records of selected Brandon College and Brandon University faculty and alumni.
The McKee Archives also acquires manuscript collections, which support the research and teaching programs offered at Brandon University. These include archival records related to rural development, education, agriculture, heath studies, First Nations, and the city of Brandon.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVISTS:
SALLY CUNNINGHAM (1975 - ?)
No biographical information yet.
EILEEN MCFADDEN (1981 - 1997)
See RG 6, series 8, sub-series 1 (University Librarian) for biographical information on Eileen McFadden.
TOM MITCHELL (1997 - present)
See RG 6, series 5 (Registrar's Office) for biographical information on Tom Mitchell.
Scope and Content
The sub-series has been divided into four sub sub series, including: (1) Archives - general files; (2) Archives - budget files; (3) Archives - correspondence files; and (4) Archives - exhibits and displays.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from articles in "The Quill" (September 24, 1981 and November 20, 1990) and the S.J. McKee Archives hompage at http://www.brandonu.ca/library/archives/ (September 2006).
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
Photograph was taken by Christy Henry on August 10, 2002 following the grand opening of the Labyrinth of Peace. The Labyrinth is situated in the Assiniboine River Corridor near the Discovery Centre in Brandon, Manitoba.
Custodial History
See series level of the Christy Henry fonds for Custodial History.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the centre symbol - a wheat sheaf carved into a piece of stone shaped like the province of Manitoba - of the Labyrinth of Peace.
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer
32-2007
Related Material
Additional information on the history of the Labyrinth of Peace project can be found in RG 6 (Brandon University fonds) 7.1.6 (Department of Religion) File 1.
The Jeff Umphrey Memorial Centre was completed in 1970 and is located on the north side of Victoria Avenue and 20th Street. Campus Books was located in the basement of the Umphrey Centre from 1970 to 1978. Once Campus Books moved to the lower McMaster Concourse, the University Archives occupied the basement from 1981 to 1997. A branch of the Bank of Montreal was located on the west side of the building until c. 2006 when the Department of Fine Arts moved into the Umphrey Centre and the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery was constructed on the main floor.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of photographs of the Jeff Umphrey Memorial Centre and the various University organizations that have operated out of the Centre.
The John R. Brodie Science Centre was completed in 1971, with the official opening on May 7, 1972. It is located in the southeast corner of the campus and houses the Faculty of Science. The Brodie Building was named for John R. Brodie, a Brandon man who donated $250,000 to Brandon College in 1963 with the stipulation that the money be used for a Science Centre.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of photographs of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
Notes
Additional biographical information on John R. Brodie is available in his bio file in the Reading Room.
The J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre and the A.E. McKenzie Building were both completed in 1960. The Evans Theatre is named for John Robert Charles Evans, who served as president of Brandon College from 1928 to 1959. The A.E. McKenzie Building was originally the Library and Arts building, and was named for A.E. McKenzie, a local businessman and supporter of the College. The George T. Richardson Centre, which includes the Evans Theatre and the John E. Robbins Library, was completed in 1993.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of photographs of the A.E. McKenzie Building, the George T. Richardson Centre, the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre, the John E. Robbins Library and the link between the Evans Theatre and the McKenzie Building.
Samuel James McKee was born near Wellesley, Ontario on July 17, 1849. By 1872, he had graduated from Toronto University. That same year he accepted a position at the Canadian Literary Institute in Woodstock, Ontario. Although he accepted this post with reservation, McKee soon found himself converted to the Baptist faith and was a true believer. In 1881, his doctor advised him to move West because of his poor health. He and his wife Laura moved to Rapid City, Manitoba and established a farm there. His brother-in-law, Rev. Davis was busy establishing the Rapid City Academy during this time, and when Davis had the chance to move to Moose Jaw, he prevailed upon McKee to take over the Academy. Under McKee's guidance the Academy flourished. By 1890, he decided that he could reach more people if he relocated the school Brandon, Manitoba, which was located on the C.P.R. line. The S.J. McKee Academy did quite well in Brandon, although it had trouble finding a permanent home. By 1899, the school was located in the Stewart Block on Ninth Street and Rosser Avenue. McKee's wife taught music, and there were always potential ministry students in his classes.
In 1899, the Baptists finally decided that they wanted a College in Manitoba that would help preapre students for potential ministry service. It was decided to locate the school in Brandon, as McKee, a staunch Baptist, already had a flourishing Academy there. The Baptists and McKee amalgamated and Brandon College was created. When the school opened in October 1899, McKee was on the Board of Directors as well as teaching Classics, Mental Science and French. He also acted as the unofficial Vice-principal of the school. McKee taught several different subjects during the next few years, and in 1910 accepted the newly created post of Registrar. He retained this position for the next decade. As well, McKee acted as the Bursar in 1911-1913, 1914-1915, and 1919-1920. He retired in 1920 and moved to Vancouver. McKee was given the title Professor Emeritus in Philosophy. He was made an honorary member of the Board of Directors in 1925.
McKee and his wife had five daughters and three sons. Three daughters that died soon after the move from Rapid City due to a typhoid epidemic. His son, George Eugene, graduated from Brandon College in 1902. A son, John Harris McKee, became the Bursar of Brandon College in 1915 after obtaining his B.A. in 1914. Another son, William Carey McKee, graduated from Brandon College in 1914, and received his M.A. in 1915. He was studying Law in Calgary when he enlisted with the Army. Carey McKee was killed in action on August 26, 1918. A fourth son, Robert Allan also attended Brandon College. He enlisted when Carey did, but he was declared medically unfit for service in Winnipeg in 1917. He eventually returned to Brandon, but was sick for a very long time. He died on Febrary 13, 1919, from a growth on his brain that had weakened him greatly. McKee's daughter Mildred also attended Brandon College. After her husband was killed in action in November of 1918, she returned home to her parents. Eventually she obtained a degree in Household Science. There is another daughter mentioned, Lydia. McKee also states in a tax return form that he has a permanently epileptic child in a home. It is not known if this child was Lydia or not. S.J. McKee died in September 1937 at the age of 88.
Custodial History
To commemorate the move of the McKee Acadamy to Brandon, Manitoba in 1890, Brandon University renamed the Brandon University Archives the S.J. McKee Archives in the fall of 1990. At that time, the McKee family was represented by S.J. McKee's grandson William, who donated the S.J. McKee papers to the Archives. Up until 1990, the records had been in his custody, having passed from S.J. at the time of his death to William's father.
Scope and Content
S.J. McKee's files are very unique. He has records detailing many aspects from Rapid City Academy and the desire for educating the West. He has a lengthy document entitled "The Beginning of our Educational Work in the West" in his records. It details the creation of Prairie College, its demise, and the building of the Rapid City Academy. There is a lot of correspondence, not just to and from S.J. McKee, but to and from his children as well. There are Land Titles papers, Mortgages, Last Will and Testaments, and various other legal documents dealing with the McKee family. There is a ninety page paper that his son, Carey, wrote in 1915 entitled "Immigrants and Their Assimilation." There are several files dealing with Carey McKee, and also with the death of Midred's husband, Robert Alexander Cunningham. The Minute Book of the Brandon College Literary Society from 1903-1905 is located in the McKee files. McKee also kept various newsclippings and certain issues of "The Western Baptist," "The Northwest Baptist" and "The Sunday School Times." As well, there are some used account and receipt books.
His records are extremely interesting in that McKee was really one of the founding fathers of Brandon College. The documentation that still exists with regard to Rapid City Academy is quite astounding, down to the legal agreement he and G.B. Davis made with Duncan L. McLaren regarding using some of his land to build the school on. His recollections on the beginnings of education in the west are clear and concise. As well, the sense of family and devotion to God are evident in almost all of the letters between family members.
Sub sub series consists of documents relating to various Board projects including the Evans Lecture Theatre, the Library Building, a sanitary trunk sewer, electrical and telephone distribution service and the steam plant extension. There are also files on the Brandon University Chancellor and long range planning consultants. The sub sub series includes correspondence, minutes, blue prints, reports, financial information, statistics, recommendations and other records.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.6 Board Projects
Elphinstone Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1927 - 1978 Memorandum of Association and General By-laws, 11 August 1927 Certificate of incorporation, 17 August 1927 Minutes of first general meeting of shareholders, 18 January 1928 Minutes of first permanent Directors' meeting, 18 January 1928 Memorandum of Agreement, By-laws 8, 9, 10 and 11, 12 November 1929 Minutes of the Shareholders' meeting, 25 July 1931 Directors meeting minutes, 25 July 1931 ECEAL By-law no. 12 \& 13, 25 July 1931 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1931 Letter re Supplementary Agreement, 16 November 1933 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 2 February 1933 Letter, 28 June 1944 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1937 Ageement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 November 1937 ECEAL By-law no. 16, 4 November 1939 Letter re By-law no. 16, 24 March 1941 ECEAL By-law to authorize cancellation of share capital, 2 November 1940 Letter, 24 March 1941 ECEAL By-laws 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, 15 July 1941 MPE General By-laws, 23 October 1941 ECEAL By-law no. 21, 7 November 1947 Letter re By-law no.21, 27 August 1948 Letter re amendment to General By-laws, 6 May 1949 ECEAL By-law no. 22, 20 June 1949 MPEL By-law amending the general By-laws of the Co., 7 March 1950 Agreement between ECEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1951 ECEAL By-law no. 23, 21 November 1921 MPEL By-law no. 1961-148, 12 October 1961 Directors' resolution, 18 October 1961 Agreement between MPEL and ECEAL, 15 December 1966 ECEAL By-law no. 26, 4 April 1967 Letter re Pioneer Grain Co., 23 February 1978 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 4 February 1928 - volume 7, 13 November 1980 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1968 (37 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1937 - 1955 (18 reports) Final statements, 1931 - 1952 (24 reports) Auditors' reports, 1929 - 1967 (26 reports) Analysis of operating results, 1951 - 1963 (11 reports) Detail of grain earnings, 1963 - 1967 (4 reports) Capital loan summary, 31 July 1951 Correspondence, 1929 - 1969 Membership list, 1929 - 1930, 1978 Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Strathclair
Notes
File numbering is not congruous between sub-series arranged prior to 2009 and sub-series arranged or added to after 2009. This will be corrected in the future
See fonds level description of RG 4 for history/bio of MPE
Scope and Content
This artificially created sub-series contains a variety of legal and official documents related to the operation of the Manitoba Wheat Pool and MPE. Records include the following:
1. Agreements, General By-laws, and Contracts 1924-1972
2. General By-laws
3. Incorporations and Dissolutions
4. Operating Agreements, Agreements for Sale 1940-67
5. MPE Complete Legislation
6. Miscellaneous Documents
7. Elevator Policy, Agreements, Incorporation Certificates / Indebtedness
8. Quantitative Appraisal of Wheat Pool Building (left in original binding)
9. 9th Victory Loan Souvenir: A Portfolio of Reproductions of the Documents of Surrender
10a. Federal Agreement 1972 p.1-126
10b. Federal Agreement 1972
11a. Terminal Expansion 1961 – 1963
11b. Terminal Expansion 1961 – 1963
12. By-Laws and Constitutions
13. MPE & Connaught Laboratories Agreements 1964-66
14. MPE & Connaught Laboratories Agreements 1964-66
15. “Pool Pac” Trade Mark 1964, 1971, 1979
16. Patent #501894 Dust Control Apparatus 1954
17. MPE Agreement w/ Daniel Augustus Kane (General Superintendent appointment) 1928, 1933
18. Manitoba Co-operative Wheat Producers Ltd. Agreement w/ Richard M. Mahoney (Manager) 1924, 1925, 1928
19. MPE Acts
20. MPE Acts
21. Party & Supplementary Agreements 1931-1936
22a. Historical Documents of the Manitoba Wheat Pool 1924 - 1927
22b. Historical Documents of the Manitoba Wheat Pool 1927 - 1930
23a. Miscellaneous Documents 1925 -1996
23b. Miscellaneous Documents 1979 -1998
24. Association Documents 1940 - 1966
25. Deed of Trust and Mortage August 2 1928
26. Wheat and Coarse Grains Overpayments 1929-1930
Co-enerco was a co-operative energy company that resulted from the Co-operative Resources Project.
See also fonds level description of RG 4 for history/bio of MPE
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of records pertaining to the formation of Co-enerco.
A commission to inquire into the formation and operation of the Manitoba Pool up until 1931. Charges were brought against the Pool by J.R. Murray, then Assistant General Manager of UGG. The four charges were, briefly: (1) producers had been mislead into forming elevator associations, (2) members are bound by contract to the association, (3) financial statements sent out to associations are inaccurate, (4) Pool members are not getting as good a deal as they would on the free market.
The first two charges were deemed provable by the commission, while the last two were not. It was noted by the commissioner that no pool members had come forward with complaints.
See also fonds level description of RG 4 for history/bio of MPE
Scope and Content
.This sub-series contains volumes 1 - 25 of the Royal Commission on Manitoba Pool Elevators.
