No visible stains, stitching in good condition, some bleeding in white felt
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1962 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, felt and satin, features the class colours of blue and white, as well as the class motto “Ipsa scientia potestas est” (“Knowledge itself is power”). The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in white thread. In the centre of the flag is a shield with a book, a protractor and what might be a lightning bolt. The flag has no mechanism for hanging.
Names include: Ron Keeler, Florence English, Wayne Johnston, Donald Axford, Ronald Bawtinhimer, Glen Beck, Neil Bobbie, Margaret Borotsik, Ronald Borotsik, Clair Davies, Wayne Kirbyson, Edna Lever, Andrea Nelson, Lorraine Oscar, Eleanor Penton, Marilyn Smirl, Ronald Smith, Patricia Stanley, Peter Stobbe, Verna Tate, Daniel Warnez, Dawn Wellman, Eileen Wrightman, Wanda Wilkinson, Patricia Young, Ian Barnes, Terry Bicknell, Edwin Driver, Keith Elder, Margaret Fargey, Wayne Fawcett, Cora Fisher, Dorothea Fraser, Bill Godolphin, John Greasley, George Hickling, Dennis Holmlund, Janice Johnston, Trevor Lambert, George McKinnon, Glen McKinnon, Hugh McReuer, Brian Parker, Robert Rogers, Bill Rutherford, Glennis Scott, Karen Smeltz, Lonnie McDonald, Marth Smith, Wayne Weller.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dayna Lytwyn/Osten Sahulka (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Wrinkles from being folded, discoloration of white fabric and stains, fraying of fabric and thread.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1963 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of satin and cotton, features the class motto “Non nobis solum sed toti mundi nati” (“Not just for ourselves but for the whole world”). The flag features the names of the graduates, as well as a stylized world with rings, featuring a lamp, laurel leaves, a dove and the letters "BC" inside a gear. The flag has rope for hanging.
Names include: John Adamack, Janice Ames, Matilda Ames, Mellanie Berthiaume, Daniel Bjarnson, William Davidson, Norma Noble, Joan Donald, Henry Dueck, Melvin Findlay, Brian Foster, Gwen Gray, Nola McBurney, Fay McLean, Jean McQuarrie, John Nelson, Isobel Nicholson, Carol Porter, Corinne Scrase, James Simmons, Patricia Tanguay, Margaret Trotter, George Trowell, Joyce Wilkinson, Spence Bell, Verna Moore, David Bertram, Kenneth Bell, Robert Bell, David Bergman, Allan Budlong, Gerald Butler, John Chudzik, Malcolm Davidson, James Dowcett, Clifford Glenn, William Gulenchin, Sharon Hutton, Ronald Gurba, Robert Ireland, Marshall Kennedy, Kazimer Matieshin, Kenneth May, Dale McFadden, Gordon McKinnon, Clare Pangman, Leonard Rivers, Kees Van Teeling, Rae Westcott, and James Woods.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
This flag was commissioned by members of the class of 1964 in 2014 as a replica of the original class of 1964 flag created as part of that class' commencement activites. Members of the class of 1964 donated it to the McKee Archives at Homecoming weekend in 2014.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1964 in 2014, to replace their orignal flag that had been lost at some point following their graduation. The flag, which is made of fabric, features the names of the graduates, as well as a stylized world with rings. The flag has grommets for hanging.
Names include: Lorraine Adam, Bill Ballantyne, Masako Ban, Patricia Blake, Matthew Bray, Clark Brownlee, Ruther Cutforth, Thelma Davis, Don Edwards, Maureen Fearns, Joan Foster, Harold Gilleshammer, George Gooden, Audrey Graham, Valerie Greig, James Gretz, Ted Griffith, Elaine Hutton, Bill Johnson, Sharon Livingstone, Margaret Ann Lowes, Donna Manness, Katherine Mantel, Elaine Mazer, Eleanore McDowell, Mickey McGill, Murray McLeod, Gordon McWilliams, Isabelle Mills, Clark Mitchell, Teenie Molgat, Adelaide Newton, Carole Paintin, Paul Panton, Virginia Patmore, Norman Peterson, Bill Potter, Beverly Reeves, Eleanor Riesberry, Irene Rinn, Moody Roebuck, Morris Smeltz, James Simmons, John Sushelnitsky, Ed Whitcomb, Jeanette Whyte, James Parrott, Warren Veale, Poppy Cumming, George McDowell, Dennis Anderson, Garry Atchison, Jack Ballen, Walter Berry, James Bomford, Jacqueline Clement, Murray Cochrane, Carl Cunningham, Robert Draper, Scott Drever, Dave Dueck, Dave Fewings, Barry Forman, Glenn Hall, Ronald Hall, David Hitchens, Garth Hunter, Brent Kinney, Gerald Kitzler, Albert Klassen, Wally Lamont, Don Lawrence, Victor Logeot, William Marshall, David McAuley, Mark McCowan, Gary Mills, Dale Nelson, Jim Poole, Dick Prawdzik, Robert Raeburn, Donald Rainnie, Dennis Smith, Evelyn Woods and Bruce Young.
Notes
Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1965 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class motto “Forever Upward". The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in yellow thread, as well as a scroll containing a mortarboard. The flag has no mechanism for hanging.
Names include: Elinor Armitage, Muriel Baker, Richard Balchen, Kenneth Bileski, Errol black, Phil Blain, Edward Boguski, Jo Ann Brandon, Allan Bray, Rodney Brown, Geraldine Burns, Kathryn Burton, Carole Busby, Barry Busch, Tom Campbell, Bill Carr, Dennis Carter, Christine Cassels, Ying Cheng, Yuen Cheng, Kenneth Bellas, Treva Clendenning, Catherine Craig, Ruth Cutforth, Constance Davidson, Darla Drysdale, Morely English, Betty Eshelby, Donna Firby, Carol Ann Foster, Bruce Fraser, Eldon Frost, Irving Gusdal, David Hall, Emilie Hansen, Jennifer Harms, Heather Henderson, David Hickling, Allan Hill, Lorne Hoag, Donald Hutton, Helen Inglis, Chris Johnson, Les Johnson, Laurie Ricou, Anne Franklin, Russell Lusk, Christine Jopko, Nina Kozakiewicz, Donna Laird, Willa Ledingham, Garry Lumbard, Colin Mailer, William Marshall, Bob McDonald, Donald McLaren, Shirley Melvin, Garry Miller, Walter Mostoway, Sally Norman, Phil North, Dan Old, Robert Oldcorn, Jerry Page, Lyle Poole, Ross Poole, Raymond Putman, Peggie Rainnie, Donald McDowell, Ron Rapley, Nelson Reed, Norman Reid, Catherine Robertson, Don Sherritt, Lloyd Shields, Norrine Shobrooke, Phyllis Smith, Morlene Sparrow, Bob Staines, Nancy Stanley, Sharon Stevens, William Stinchcome, Mitchell Taylor, Lorne Vopni, Herbert Weinmaster, Jack Watts, Donald Wilkie, Bob Wilkins, Gordon Williams, Jerald Wishart and Theodora Youmatoff.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Paint(?) splotches, slight fraying, slight discoloration of white fabric
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1966 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt and satin, features the class motto “Semper Primus” (“Always Number One”). The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in white, as well as a yellow scroll containing "'66." The flag has no mechanism for hanging.
Names include: Jim Barrow, Bob Bell, Sigrid Birkinshaw, Bob Boughen, Carole Boyd, Pat Carter, Jean Christianson, Colleen Clark, Gary Day, Ken Delbridge, Gerald Diswinka, Gary Evans, Dennis Farguson, Don Fjelsted, Carol Gurba, John Horner, Ernie Janzen, Carol Johnson, Al Josephson, Valorie Kidd, John Krahn, Diane Lytwyn, Edith May, Jim McMay, Charlie McMillan, Merilyn McTavish, Terry Moore, Helen Muray, Rodney Mykle, Marie Nadler, Doug Oberlin, Don Pratt, John Russell, Bill Sparling, Harry Toy, Bob Turner, Corine Walker, Donna Zimmerman, Jack Spalding, Bruce Batt, Bryan Bennion, Don Boguski, Barbara Broadfoot, Jim Brolund, Wayne Carey, Dave Cochrane, Allen Dahl, Ken Daniels, Ron Forman, Cyril Fox, Rick Frazer, Lindsay Gibson, Bill Hammond, Clare Haralson, Ed Holtzman, Norrie Howat, Dave Huffman, Stuart Johnson, Alasdair Kellie, Henry Klassen, Richard Lawford, Jack Lee, Mel Montgomery, Alex Russell, Ellen Vinthers, Blane Ward, George Wawrykow, Gerald Wilson and Ken Whittington.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Missing two ties on top right, some loose threads, slight discolouration of white fabric.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1967 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt and satin, features the class motto “Finis Sed Principium” (“The end but the beginning”). The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in white, as well as a Canada Centennial star. The flag has ties for hanging.
Names include: Jocelyn Godolphin, Linda Armitage, Brian Bailey, Gary Belecki, Bev Bird, Bryan Blixhaven, Jolie Boyarski, Dean Boyd, Garry Brake, Gary Brawn, Tom Carter, Larry Clark, Doreen Crew, Dawn Dandridge, Leo Dare, Grant Duncan, Glen Edwards, Dewey Evans, Peter Eyvindson, Bill Yard, Gordon Franklin, Midge Graham, Karen Gusdal, Barb Hamel, Wes Hockley, Murray Hutton, Bob Hyatt, Bob Jackson, Ernest Janzen, Lawrence Johnson, Janet Johnston, Marg Jones, Doug Jordan, Marg Kentner, Marie Kulberg/Kellbert, Linda Lamoureux, Darlene Lazenby, Jan Leckie, Gary MacDonald, Pam Madsen, Larry Malazdrevich, Angie Martin, Jim McAllister, Barb McDowell, Sharon McPherson, Barry Mitchell, Elmer Myers, Diane Theoret, Alice Pelk, Henry Peters, Cheryl Pomeroy, Audrey Racher, Gordon Rankmore, Jim Ranson, Elaine Reichmuth, Jim Reid, Judy Richardson, Marion Rivers, Bev Robertson, Ken Robson, Wayne Rosenman, Jeanette Saunders, Greg Sawchuk, Alice Schick, Helen Sexton, Chris Shellard, Marlene Shenk, Gail Smith, Ken Smith, John Spak, Reg Tolton, Wayne Trembath, Fred Tuttle, Jack Warkentin, N.E. Weselowski, Bill Wesley, Barb Whyte, Phil Weibe, Barb Wilkie, Elgin Wilson, Marianne Wiun, John Wright, Jim Ziegler, Judy Pool, Ray Power, Marilyn Dennstedt, Rita Hacault, Fred Fjeldsted, Jim Haynes, Ed Agnew, Patricia Barker, Jacob Boschman, Donald Carlson, Jeff Carter, Dave Clement, Barry Danard, Phillip DeCorby, Adrian De Hoog, Jim Doak, Deanna Dyck, Marjorie Fleming, Bryan Fuhr, Dennis Gebauer, David Gosman, Richard Hannah, Andy Harris, Bruce Harrison, Sandra Hart, Irwin Hiller, John Janzen, Judy Kelly/Kellie, Wayne Langlois, Mike Laushway, Jack McKinnon, Harvey McFadden, Jon Mills, Ron Moffatt, Burnell Nesbitt, Morna Patterson, Brian Phillips, Lorne Lindenberg, Richard Onganda, Diane Preston, Wayne Ramage, Doug Sawle, Bill Schrader, Wally Seippe, Fred Serafin, Lorne Smith, Al Snart, Rae Taylor, Douglas Thompson, John Tokeson, Ian Watson, Ron Westcott and Donald Wrobleski.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
On the brass plaque there are a few spolotches of what looks to be ink. There are also miltipal scrapes, large and small, across the plaque that have rubbed off the reflective polish. On the wooden backing there is a large crack that runs down the middle from tope to bottom.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1968. The plaque, which is made of a brass engraved sheet nailed to a wooden scroll, features the class motto “Nostrum Est Imperium”. The plaque features the Brandon University Coat of Arms, as well as the Class of 1968 Hymn.
Names include: Betty Aitken, Susan Arnold, Ken Arthurs, Rod Balkwell, Dave Beer, John Birnie, Judy Brereton, Ken Brown, Wayne Brown, Nancy Brownlee, Barry Burdeny, Karen Burkett, Fred Casey, Bob Cassan, Eleanor Chernenkoff, Rudy Dauk, Jane Davidson, Janice Davies, Garry Donoch, Leonard Fast, Hope Finestone, Karen Fingas, Myrna Graham, Brian Gusdal, Myron French, Keith Glawson, Al Gordon, John Graham, Shirley Halsey, Bill Henderson, Herb Henson, Michael Hill, Shirley Hrynkiw, Keith Hummel, Lynne Jackson, Dunloop Kells, Phhyllis Kotyk, Lana Kunnyckyi, Ted Leptick, Brian Lestition, Joyce Los, Penny Martin, George Matheson, Jack Maw, Allan McAulay, Ray McDonald, Linda McDowell, Randy McGunigal, Douglas McKenzie, Ken McKinney, Barb McLeod, Arlene Misanchuk, Don Mochnacz, Vicki Moore, Emmanuel Ojo, John O'Rourke, Connie Pedersen, Ken Penton, Nancy Penton, James Quinn, Don Rankmore, John Ross, Barry Russell, Ron Saranchuk, Paul Schneider, Albert Siemens, Murray Shelton, Patricia Stevenson, Glenn Stewart, Yvette Stewart, Clive Taylor, Penny Taylor, Vaughn Thorsteinson, Gerry Titus, Harry Van Mulligen, Bob Walker, Daniel Warrenger, Barb Webb, June Wilson, Margaret Beswatherick, Jim Campbell, Jim Clark, Jody Dunlop, Jacob Dyck, Paul Eilers, John Fast, Pat Filipowich, Ernest Friesen, Elaine Hopkin, Ray Hurd, Alvin Jackson, Karen Kerr, Harold Klassen, Marie Kullberg, Bruce MacDonald, Karen MacDonald, Ken Malcolm, Brian Manns, Wayne Palidwar, Wallace Peel, Floyd Phillips, Don Popien, Don Sawyer, Bernice Swanson, Don Taylor, Dennis Tokaryk, Doroty Vinthers, Penny Wallace, Fred Frost, Isabelle Kerr, Lavonne Miller, Don Simmons, Cheryl Stephansson and Thomas Williams.
Notes
Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Slight staining and discolouration on brass, screws are discoloured and may need replacing in the future, molded details in good condition. Scratching on wood and brass.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1969. The plaque, which is made of a brass engraved sheet nailed to a wooden base, features the class motto “Nostrum Est Imperium,” as well as brass molded torches and a lame with filagree detail. The also feature the Class of 1969 Hymn and the Brandon University Coat of Arms.
Names include: James Ajila, Cheryl Anderson, Leslie Archibald, Mel Armstrong, Lorna Baldwin, Bruce Bateman, Irene Bauman, Ron Bawtinhimer, John Bell, Laurence Bertram, Dorine Best, James Blanchard, Darlene Boyd, Jake Braun, Dale Brawn, Warren Brown, Ross Brownlee, Irene Bullee, Barry Burdeny, Linda Burneski, David Campbell, Cathy Cantin, Terry Colli, Judy Crabbe, Jack Dawes, Pat DeCorby, John Douglas, Neil Douglas, Hilda Dueck, Ross Eastley, Margaret Ellis, Ruth Endall, Kerry Fair, Stu Farnell, Judy Ferris, Arthur Feser, John Findlay, Sharon Fitzsimmons, Pam Forsyth, Clark Fraser, Heather Gerrard, Chuck Gorrie, Arnold Grambo, Cordell Grant, Dale Gray, Lylle Grobb, JoAnne Haarmans, Elias Haddad, Rae Harris, Brian Harvey, Bob Haynes, Audrey Hrytsak, Janet Inglis, John Irvine, Bill Jardine, Bonnie Keay, Sharon Keynes, Amber Krauchi, Anne Kreager, Julie Laverty, Ken Lisowski, Murray MacMillan, Elspeth MacNaughton, Doug Magee, Balwarth Mahadoo, Joanne Manns, Rick Marshall, Ed Mazer, Wilfred McArthur, Murray McCartney, Joe McDonald, Peter McGregor, Jim McIntosh, Ben McKinney, John Menzies, Willa Miller, Jean Morton, Annette Mosey, Wayne Nickel, Arnold Novak, Clarice Oldcorn, Doug Paterson, Greg Paulson, Marion Perkin, Cheryl Pierson, Jacquelyn Porter, Pat Price, Jim Pringle, Linda Probe, Janis Rampton, Russ Reid, David Rinn, Madeline Ritchot, Lorna Rose, Pat Sankey, Jane Sharratt, Nancy Shaw, Tom Sinkinson, Claudia Skinner, Don Smith, Joyce Smith, Sandra Sobol, Dennis Sparling, Harry Sutcliffe, Wilf Taylor, Gerry Thompson, Marjorie Susan Tsukamoto, Jean Tilly, Andrew Turnbull, Sharon Twilley, Leo Valcourt, Mary Anne Waldron, Brian Wallace, Janis Watson, Gaylene Archibald, Joan Armstrong, John Ato-Yeboah, Don Ballard, Jack Ballard, Harko Bhagat, Lon Brandon, Marion Brereton, Alex Carruthers, Louis Chastko, Bill Currie, Pat Davies, Al Doerksen, Ernie Dushnicky, Harvey Dutkewich, Siggi Eiriksson, Steve Ewasko, Lynn Flock, Carl Forman, Sharon Garbutt, Kent Gooden, John Graham, Ken Hainsworth, Allan Halls, Mel Harvey, David Hatch, Len Hendzel, Bernie Hill, Donna Hrynkiw, Peter Hunter, Doug Kinney, Hedy Kling, Don Lindenburg, Ken Loader, ? MacIntyre, Brenda Malyon, Roy Martel, William McCartney, Ewert? McDonald, David McInnes, Bob McTaggart, Ron Metcalfe, Brian Minaker, Garth Minish, Jim Nadler, Reg Nylen, Peter Pang, Mike Quinn, Gordon Rourke, Ron Samchuk, Sandra Schepp, Allistair Scott, Richard Scott, Adelene Stefaniuk, Abdul Suleiman, Donna-Lynn Sumpton, Bruce Taylor, Monika Thiet, Mervin Toderian, Pat Turner, Vern Watt, Rick Way, Brent Wladichuk, Warren Wolfe, Jack Woodward, Harvey Wregget, Margaret Graham, Elizabeth Grant, Garry O'Brien, Nyall Ross and Sister Mary Rose.
Notes
Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item consists of portraits of the women of Brandon College Class of 1946.
Top Row (L to R): Elizabeth Northcott (Lady Stick), Doreen Clyde, and Christine Coltart.
Bottom Row (L to R): Doreene Fleming, Elaine Campbell, and Elsie Hamilton.
Item consists of ten portraits of the graduates of the class of 1918. L to R: Reita Wood Bambridge; Duncan Scott McIntyre; Bessie Euphemia Turnbull; Marjorie Alleen Sherrin; Susan Gwendolynn Whidden; D'Arcy George Cook; Ruby Elspeth Margaret McDonald; Jean Marion Avery; Walter White; and Lucy Eleanor Beaubier.
Bertha Miriam Clark was born on Prince Edward Island but attended public and high school in Brandon, MB. She was a member of the Class of 1929 and served as Lady Stick in her final year at Brandon College.
Clark married J. Scott Leith, Brandon College Class of 1928. Scott and Bertha Leith's son James Clark Leith is in the Canadian Who's Who.
Custodial History
Album was sent to Pat Britton, Brandon University Director of Alumni Relations, by Bertha Leith in April 1991. Britton then transferred it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small accordian style photograph album (7 x 10.5 x 3.5 cm) created by Bertha Clark during her years at Brandon College. The photographs, which measure 4" x 2.75", depict numerous people and events.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the 1928-1929 Sickle.
9.46 m textual records; 1919 photographs & graphics
History / Biographical
Brandon, Manitoba was incorporated as a city in 1881. In 1882, led by Charles Whitehead and a small Board of Directors that included J.W. Vantassel, Charles Pilling, George Halse, J.E. Smith, William Johnson, R.T. Evans, and Thomas Lockhart, it was decided to hold an agricultural exhibition. These men were all involved in the farm business in one way or another, and they wanted an opportunity to help residents realize the agricultural potential of the region. In October of that year, the fledgling community held its first agricultural exhibition . The fair was held in downtown Brandon at what was known as “Market Square.” Market Square was two acres of land located on Princess Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Streets. Due to poor weather, and the fact that not many people were ready to show animals and grain, there was a relatively small turnout. The following year was much improved. There were 730 entries into the exhibition. By 1884, the Board of Directors of the Brandon Agricultural Society, which was in charge of the exhibition, realized that they were in poor financial shape, to the point of being personally out of pocket. It was realized that October was not the best time for farmers to be leaving their farms to go to an exhibition. In 1888, it was decided to move the exhibition to the summer time, when it was much easier for people to attend.
The first Brandon Summer Fair was held in July 1889, and it was a resounding success. The Board of Directors had added many items of interest to appeal to the entire public, not just agricultural people. In 1892, the Western Agricultural and Arts Association (WAAA) was formally established to take over duties from the Brandon Agricultural Society. However, it was not until 1897 that the WAAA held its first meeting. There is no explanation as to why there is a five year gap between the formation and the first meeting of this organization. 1897 was the turning point of the Brandon Exhibition. The fair was now firmly established in Brandon, and the Board of Directors was instrumental in ensuring that it remained so. This was done by petitioning to both the municipal and provincial governments for grant money. As well, the Board booked midway and grandstand acts that would bring the city dwellers to the agricultural exhibition.
There were also early attempts at holding an agricultural exhibition in the winter. The first such attempt was in 1884. There was also a Spring Stallion show held in 1891. By 1904, however, a petition by J.D. McGregor had gone out to formally establish a winter exhibition. This effort also failed, but by 1906, it was decided by businessmen, politicians, and farm representatives in Brandon, including McGregor, to organize a winter fair. Rather than seeing this new fair as competition, the Board of Directors of the summer fair felt that it would complement their exhibition. The new fair would remain primarily agricultural. The first winter fair was held in 1906. While the two fairs were not amalgamated, they did share the same secretary-manager. The secretary-manager was responsible for the day to day management of the fair, as well as keeping track of meetings and decisions reached by the various fair boards and committees. In 1907, the Brandon Winter Fair and Livestock Association (BWFLA) was formed to act primarily as a land-holding joint stock company. The following year the Provincial Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association (PWFFSA), an entirely separate organization from the BWFLA, was formed to manage the activities of the winter fair. The PWFFSA name was soon changed to the Manitoba Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association (MWFFSA).
By 1906, Brandon could boast two full size exhibitions, one in the summer and one in the late winter, both of which were considered to be premiere events. In 1908, the Brandon summer fair was renamed the Inter-Provincial Exhibition, and in 1912 it held it’s first Traveller’s Day, an event which would soon become an important addition to the fair and is still in existence today. It is thought that the name “Traveller’s Day” came from the fact that it was held on a Saturday, a day when many people could travel to Brandon for the exhibition.
In 1913, Brandon was bestowed with the honour of hosting the Dominion Exhibition. This was a national exhibition sponsored by the federal government. It was held in a different city every year. There were several cities vying for the 1913 Dominion Exhibition, but it was Brandon that impressed the sponsors the most. With the government funds received for this honour, the Board of Directors supervised the building of a new grandstand, display buildings, and racetrack, as well as the general expansion and improvements to the fairgrounds.
In the spring of 1912, it was decided by the Board of Directors of the winter fair that the facilities they were currently housed in were inadequate for their needs. The mayor and city clerk of Brandon went to the provincial legislature in order to request that there be an amendment added to the Brandon city charter. This amendment would allow the city to guarantee bonds issued by the winter fair board to help pay for the construction of a new facility. This request was granted, and a $70 000 addition was built next to the original winter fair building. The new building was opened in 1913.
Throughout the First World War, both the winter fair and Provincial Exhibition buildings were used for the war effort. There was one distinct difference however. The summer fair Board was able to negotiate a deal with the army that enabled it to reclaim the fair buildings during fair week. The winter fair, however, had to give up the idea of holding fairs in 1915 and 1916. It was not until 1917, that the winter fair was able to resume.
During this time, due to the financial problems that had beset the winter fair, the two exhibitions considered amalgamation. The Board of Directors of the winter fair felt that because they were the smaller of the two fairs, their interests would be swallowed up by the summer fair. The winter fair withdrew from the negotiations to amalgamate. With this rather sudden turn of events, the Board of Directors of the summer fair petitioned the government to be allowed to incorporate. This was granted, and in 1920, the WAAA was incorporated as the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. From 1920, the summer fair was officially known as the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. This was the first time that the summer fair was incorporated, and received the “status and financial assistance” that came with incorporation.
More problems beset the winter fair in the 1920s. In 1920, a fire burned down the winter fair pavilion, located at the south end of the winter fair buildings, and caused the Board to cancel the 1921 winter fair. It was not until 1922, that a new building was completed. By 1929, both fairs were well regarded throughout Canada. In 1929, a decade long Depression hit the west. While many fairs closed during this time, Brandon struggled to keep its open. The Directors of both fairs felt that the agricultural shows “encouraged excellence at a time when faith and enthusiasm were at a low ebb.” The summer fair proved to be quite successful during the Depression, likely as a result of the few moments one was able to forget one’s troubles while there. The winter fair was not quite as successful, although both fairs received government grants and work relief projects. There was little new entertainment in these exhibitions.
There were changes about to manifest themselves at the summer fair, however. While the winter fair had representatives from various associations on its Board of Directors, the summer fair Board of Directors was a small close-knit group of men. Citizens saw entry into this elite group as elusive and difficult. To ward off the possibility of the Board becoming a “self-sustaining clique,” that only chose Directors from within, it was decided by several citizens to try and elect some new blood into the fair Board. In 1933, there was a general election for the Board. Instead of the usual men shuffling positions, there were forty-four nominations for the twenty positions. When the voting was all over, seven new men sat on the Board. Despite some inner rumblings, especially on the summer fair Board over the next few years, both exhibitions survived the Depression.
During the Second World War the fairs once again were forced to operate under adversity. Once again, the buildings were requisitioned for the army, although they were released during fair week. The summer fair was forced to make several concessions, and the winter fair was relocated to the summer fair grounds for the duration.
The winter fair did not survive the Second World War intact. Due to financial reasons, in December of 1945, the Board of Directors turned the winter fair buildings over to the City of Brandon. By 1946, the BWFLA, which was the joint-stock land holding company, had ceased operations because the city now controlled the winter fair land and buildings.
The next fifteen years would be a time of rebuilding for both of Brandon’s exhibitions. Children especially were more active participants in the agricultural exhibitions. The summer fair continued to diversify and look for new ways of entertaining the public at large. The winter fair remained primarily agricultural. By the end of the 1950s the winter fair, which was used to struggling, was now both successful and stable; and the summer fair, a perennial success, was starting to fade.
By 1969, both the winter and summer fair Boards had realized that amalgamation was the best possible decision, both practically and financially, for the future of the two fairs. On 29 October, 1969, the two exhibitions amalgamated to become the Manitoba Exhibition Association. The reconstituted Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba was now responsible for both the winter and summer fairs. A new building was erected on the summer fair grounds to house both of the exhibitions. On 2 April 1973, the Keystone Centre was officially opened at the winter fair, although it had been in use since October of the preceding year.
In 1970, Manitoba’s Centennial, it was decided that an organization in Manitoba would receive the title of “Royal,” as a way to celebrate the centennial. Although many organizations applied for the honour, it was the Brandon winter fair that received the accolades. The winter fair was bestowed with the title “Royal”, and became known as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
In 1975, a third exhibition was added, this time a purely agricultural fall show known as the Agricultural Exhibition, or AgEx. This fair was partly organized on behalf of the cattle growers, who found that the summer and winter fairs did not give them adequate time and space to properly show their cattle. The return to a fall show, which had not existed since 1888, would be the return to a purely agricultural exhibition. This show was to be primarily a show and sale event. On 3 November 1975, the first AgEx was opened to resounding success.
The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and AgEx are all still in existence in Brandon. They are regarded as three of the most important events to take place annually in the city.
Custodial History
These files were housed with the Manitoba Exhibition Association until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of textual records and photographs comprised of the records from the three annual exhibitions that are held in Brandon, Manitoba: the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and the Agricultural Exhibition (Ag-Ex). The textual records include prize lists, programs, minutes, financial, administrative files, original results, scrapbooks, tickets, news releases, contracts, by laws, documents as well as a miscellaneous section. There are approximately 1846 photographs that include scenes from these three exhibitions. These records provide a unique perspective on the development of agriculture and rural life in southwestern Manitoba. Fairs such as these have been and remain prime media of farm improvement, technological and scientific advancement in rural Canada, and the promoters of country living. These fairs also reflected the long tradition inherited from Britain and Europe of country fairs as centers of entertainment, social interchange and diversion. These records are a principal source of information about the most broadly based vocational, entertainment and social events held on an annual basis in southwestern Manitoba over the last century. The records are vital to academic research on agriculture or fairs, individual biography, or community history.
Notes
The RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association finding aid was created by Karyn (Riedel) Taylor with the exception of Series 9 and the accompanying database, which were created by Donica Belisle. This finding aid was created in August 1999.
Researchers are responsible for observing Canadian copyright restrictions.
Finding Aid
Available
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Storage Range
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Related Material
Additional records regarding the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and AgEx are housed at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association offices. To gain access to these records, it is necessary to contact the general manager of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association.
Arrangement
The fonds is divided into sous-fonds by exhibition. There is a Provincial Exhibition sous-fonds, a Royal Manitoba Winter Fair sous-fonds, an Ag-Ex sous-fonds, and a Miscellaneous sous-fonds that holds information that could not be easily broken down into one exhibition. The arrangement is as follows:
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds
RG2SF1 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
1.1 Documents
1.2 Minutes
1.3 Financial Records
1.4 Administrative Files
1.5 Prize Lists and Programs
1.6 News Releases
1.7 Original Results
1.8 Tickets
1.9 Photographs
1.10 Scrapbooks
1.11 Miscellaneous
RG2SF2 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
2.1 Documents
2.2 Minutes
2.3 Financial Records
2.4 Administrative Files
2.5 Prize Lists and Programs
2.6 News Releases
2.7 Original Results
2.8 Tickets
2.9 Photographs
2.10 Scrapbooks
2.11 Miscellaneous
RG2SF3 AgEx
3.4 Administrative Files
3.5 Prize Lists and Programs
3.6 News Releases
3.7 Original Results
3.9 Photographs
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
4.1 Documents
4.2 Minutes
4.3 Financial Records
4.4 Administrative Files
4.9 Photographs
4.10 Scrapbooks
4.11 Miscellaneous
The idea of the Keystone Centre was first mentioned in 1958, at a meeting of the board of directors of the Manitoba Winter Fair. The Manitoba Winter Fair wanted a new facility because the old Wheat City Arena had a leaking roof and a deteriorating west wall. The old facility also had limited space and the Winter Fair felt it needed more space for expansion. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba also had problems with their facilities, such as old barns and poor display areas. The idea of the Keystone Centre was put on hold until 1969, when the boards of the Provincial Exhibition and the Manitoba Winter Fair joined together as the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Wheat City Arena was sold and demolished. The original estimate for the cost of the Keystone Centre facilities was $4.5 million and funding would be proportioned so that the federal and provincial governments would each put in one-third of the money, with the rest coming from local donations. The financial campaign for the Keystone Centre began in 1970, and construction began in November 1970. The grand opening of the Centre was in March 1973, and coincided with the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair of that year.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains many folders full of correspondence, financial statements, meeting minutes and other documents relating to the development and construction of the Keystone Centre from 1970-1974, including those from the Keystone Executive Committee, as well as the Building Committee. Fonds also contains one folder that pertains to the Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey from 1959. This folder contains the names and locations of all farmers in the Brandon area in 1959. The Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey was created in 1959, in order to make farming in the Brandon area more profitable. The survey was aided by Doane Agricultural Service from St. Louis, Missouri, who had success creating agricultural development programs in the United States. Fonds also contains folders from the Provincial Exhibition with correspondence, pamphlets, estimates, and studies from the 1960's. There is also one folder belonging to the Manitoba Winter Fair, which contains correspondence and financial statements relating to the Wheat City Arena. Fonds also contains information pertaining to the proposals made in the 1960's, for the building of the Keystone Centre, as well as one folder about the Keystone campaign from 1970-73. There is also one folder about the opening of the Keystone Centre, which contains newspaper clippings and guest lists. Finally, the fonds contains information about a court case involving Albert Bobyk and Robert Stewart. Stewart was the project manager for the Building Committee and Bobyk worked on the Keystone Center. The fonds includes a report about the trial of the two men who were charged with fraud involving their work on the Keystone Centre.
