In 1973, the Board of Directors of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba along with various farm representatives around the area began to feel the need for another, this time purely agricultural, exhibition. The issue was raised in the form of a report written by Donn Mitchell, the chairman of the livestock committee. Because of the growth of both the winter and summer fairs, there was little time and room to properly show the livestock that farmers brought into Brandon. A fall show and sale was thought to be the best solution to the pressing need for both time and space.
After receiving support from the provincial government and the Manitoba Beef Growers Association, the Board decided to hold a fall exhibition. While the Board was wary that the show would succeed, the strong support from producers, government and agri-business virtually ensured success. The first AgEx was officially opened on 3 November 1975. Although the first year was not a financial success, the concept of an agricultural exhibition was, and AgEx continues to thrive in Brandon.
While no minutes are held in this collection for either the Board of Directors or committees, it is evident from the prize lists and programs that the following committee structure existed. There were several committees created by the Board of Directors of AgEx. By 1984 the committees included the AgEx Chairman, the Executive, Aberdeen Angus, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Charolais, Hereford, Holstein, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Salers, Simmental, Steers, Swine, and 4-H/Junior Activities. A Shorthorn committee was added by 1985, and by 1988 there was a Commercial Classic committee.
Custodial History
The sous-fonds was housed at the MEA until c1986 when it was transferred on a continuing basis to the S.J. McKee Archives located at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The sous-fonds contains textual records and photographs pertaining to AgEx. The textual records include prize lists, programs, administrative files, original results, and news releases. The photographs include animal events and shows, dignitaries. entertainment, and various other events.
The sous-fonds has been divided into five series, including: (4) Administrative files; (5) Prize lists and programs; (6) News releases; (7) Original results; and (9) Photographs. In keeping with the numbering system used for the series in the other sous-fonds in RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association, the series in RG2SF3 maintain the same numbering system, therefore there is no series 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, or 3.8.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF3 AgEx
The series was created by a member of the administrative staff attached to the Board of Directors of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.
Custodial History
See sous-fonds RG2SF3 for custodial history.
Scope and Content
The series includes the administrative files from 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982. The files include Mailing Lists, Prize List Production, Catalogue Production, Advertising, Correspondence, various Animal Events, and several other topics.
Notes
Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF3 AgEx
The series was created by a committee attached to the Board of Directors of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.
Custodial History
See sous-fonds RG2SF3 for custodial history.
Scope and Content
The series includes the news releases regarding events and competitions of AgEx from 1983 to 1990. The series was more than likely attached to a larger group of administrative files, but before they were transferred to the archives they were removed from the original files, and a new series was created.
Notes
Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF3 AgEx
Walt Browarny of Browarny Photography located in Calgary, Alberta created most of the photographs in this series. Other creators include Buddy Knox Entertainment Enterprises Limited, Arnaud, Manitoba and Frank Brandes Enterprises, Los Angeles, California. Leech Printing Limited of Brandon, Manitoba printed a few of these photos, likely as a service to the organizers of AgEx.
Custodial History
Some of the AgEx graphics were stored with the Provincial Exhibition and Royal Manitoba Winter Fair photograph records at the MEA offices until these records were brought to the McKee Archives ca. 1986. Most of the pictures, however, were included in the textual records of the AgEx sous-fonds. Since ca. 1986, this sous-fonds has been transferred on a continuing basis to the McKee Archives. In July 1999, the AgEx photographs were separated from the sous-fonds' textual records and were placed in Series 9.
Scope and Content
Series consists equally of colour and black and white pictures pertaining to AgEx. Roughly half of these pictures date from 1976; the other half date from 1986 and 1987. Four subject areas comprise the series: livestock, exhibits, entertainment, and dignitaries.
LIVESTOCK
Almost all of the AgEx photos are of prize-winning bull and female cattle. Breeds represented in the photos of 1976 are Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Hereford (Polled and Non-Polled), Holstein, Limousin, and Maine Anjou. Depicted in the photos of 1986 and 1987 are Angus, Aquitaine Blond, Charolais, Hereford (Polled and Non-Polled), Maine Anjou, Saler, Shorthorn, and Simmental.
Sheep are also featured in this series. Included are pictures both of sheep shows and sheep shearing.
EXHIBITS
At the 1976 AgEx were various commercial display booths. Depicted in this series are Kullberg’s Furniture, Standard Steel Buildings, Cargill, Rug Doctor, and Linden Trailer Sales and Services Ltd.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment graphics are advertisements for Buddy Knox, a singer who performed at the 1989 AgEx.
DIGNITARIES
Dignitaries depicted in this series are organizers of the fall fair. Also included is the 1976 Hereford Association Queen.
Containing over three hundred images of purebred cattle, this series is valuable for historians of agriculture. By examining these photos, one can ascertain the characteristics of breeds found in western Canada. This series is also useful for historians of agricultural exhibitions. By studying the pictures of Brandon’s AgEx, one can determine the nature of fall fairs in western Canada.
Notes
Part of RG2SF3. Item-level descriptions of the graphics of RG2SF1 through RG2SF4 are located on a searchable database. This database is entitled “Brandon Photographs” and can be read using Microsoft Access. “Brandon Photographs” is located on a 3½ floppy disk entitled “Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds Series 9” included in this finding aid. The description of each photograph on this database includes the following information: accession number, title, date, place, physical description, scope and content, notes, creator, and copyright. By searching the database, individual photographs can be located easily. Instructions on how to use the database are in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF3 AgEx
Arrangement
Graphics for RGSF1 through RG2SF4 are located in boxes. Graphics larger than 24 x 35 cm are located in the image mapcase, which is located in the reading room. The graphics are filed chronologically by accession number. The arrangement is as follows:
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds; RG2SF1-RG2SF4; Series 9
Boxes 1 through 15, as follows:
Box 1 EX0001 to EX0125
Box 2 EX0157 to EX0263
Box 3 EX0265 to EX0399
Box 4 EX0400 to EX0499
Box 5 EX0500 to EX0599
Box 6 EX0600 to EX0699
Box 7 EX0700 to EX0799
Box 8 EX0800 to EX0899
Box 9 EX0900 to EX0921
Box 10 EX1000 to EX1099
Box 11 EX1100 to EX1199
Box 12 EX1200 to EX1299
Box 13 EX1300 to EX1399
Box 14 EX1400 to EX1499
Box 15 EX1549 to EX1859
The series consists of records that either did not fit, or could not easily be placed into one of the preceding three manuscript groups. The series had several creators, including the Board of Directors for both the summer and winter fairs, the combined Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Board of Directors, and others. The records also include several documents, and financial records of the combined winter and summer fairs organization, known as the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association. This Association began in the fall of 1969 with the amalgamation of the Manitoba Winter Fair and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.
Custodial History
The sous-fonds was housed in the WAAA, the PEM, the MWFFSA and the MEA until c1986 when it was transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The sous-fonds consists of textual records and photographs that did not fit easily into one of the other manuscript groups. The textual records include financial, scrapbooks, shareholder’s lists and miscellaneous. There are several documents regarding the building of the Keystone Centre, as well as administrative papers dealing with the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association. There are some minutes, and several financial records, as well as a brief administrative file. The photographs are diverse.
The sous-fonds has been divided into seven series, including: (1) Documents; (2) Minutes; (3) Financial records; (4) Administrative files; (9) Photographs; (10) Scrapbooks; and (11) Miscellaneous. In keeping with the numbering system used for the series in the other sous-fonds in RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association, the series in RG2SF4 maintain the same numbering system, therefore there is no series 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, or 4.8.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
The minutes were created by a committee formed by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association on the occasion of the opening of the Keystone Centre in 1973.
Custodial History
The records were held by the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives located at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The minutes include a meeting of the Keystone Centre Opening Committee on 24 Jan 1973.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
The series was created by the committee involved with the financial aspects of the winter and summer fairs, as well as the committee formed in the mid1960s to look into the feasibility of creating a complex that could house both fairs
Custodial History
The records were housed at the Inter-Provincial Exhibition, the PEM, and the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The series includes financial records, proposals for an arena complex, financial statements, economic evaluations, annual reports, and a ledger with names and wages in it.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
This series was created by a member of the administrative staff of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association.
Custodial History
The records were housed by the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred on an ongoing basis to the S.J. McKee Archives located at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The records consist of a list of several committees and dates. It is possible that the dates were the ones on which the various committees would be meeting. There are also several lists of shareholder’s from 1979, 1984, and 1987-1990.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
Members of the Provincial Exhibition Board and the Winter Fair
Board created most of the records in this series. The other records were created by R. M. Coleman, Free Lance Photographer, Brandon, Manitoba; Jack DeLorme Photography Limited, Calgary, Alberta; Farmer and Stockman; and Jerrett’s Photo, Brandon, Manitoba.
Custodial History
These records were housed at the PEA offices until ca. 1986, when
on a continuing basis they were transferred to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Series consists of black and white graphics that did not fit easily into Series 1.9, 2.9, or 3.9. Some of the graphics in this series pertain to all three of the fairs; others were placed in this series because it is impossible to determine to which fair they pertain.
Two subject areas comprise this series: animals and dignitaries. Animals represented in this series are horses and cattle. Included are depictions of a man shoeing a horse, an advertisement for a studhorse, and steer shows and sales. Dignitaries represented in this series are men who served on both the Provincial Exhibition Board and the Winter Fair Board.
Notes
Item-level descriptions of the graphics of RG2SF1 through RG2SF4 are located on a searchable database. This database is entitled “Brandon Photographs” and can be read using Microsoft Access. “Brandon Photographs” is located on a 3½ floppy disk entitled “Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds Series 9” included in this finding aid. The description of each photograph on this database includes the following information: accession number, title, date, place, physical description, scope and content, notes, creator, and copyright. By searching the database, individual photographs can be located easily. Instruction on how to use the database are in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
Arrangement
Graphics for RG2SF1 through RG2SF4 are located in boxes. Graphics larger than 24 x 35 cm are located in the image mapcase, which is located in the reading room. The graphics are filed chronologically by accession number. The arrangement is as follows:
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds; RG2SF1-RG2SF4; Series 9
Boxes 1 through 15, as follows:
Box 1 EX0001 to EX0125
Box 2 EX0157 to EX0263
Box 3 EX0265 to EX0399
Box 4 EX0400 to EX0499
Box 5 EX0500 to EX0599
Box 6 EX0600 to EX0699
Box 7 EX0700 to EX0799
Box 8 EX0800 to EX0899
Box 9 EX0900 to EX0921
Box 10 EX1000 to EX1099
Box 11 EX1100 to EX1199
Box 12 EX1200 to EX1299
Box 13 EX1300 to EX1399
Box 14 EX1400 to EX1499
Box 15 EX1549 to EX1859
The series was created by a member of the administrative staff attached to the Board of Directors of the winter and summer fairs.
Custodial History
The records were housed at the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The series includes a scrapbook that encompasses the 1954 and 1955 summer and winter fairs. The scrapbook is comprised mainly of newspaper clippings pertaining to the fairs. Within the scrapbook there are a few unusual items, including the construction plans for a new horse stable in 1884, and an 1895 prize list.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
This series includes all items that did not fit into any manuscript group or other miscellaneous series.
Custodial History
The records were housed at the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The series includes a list for an auction at the Keystone Centre, an invitation to the official opening of the Keystone Centre, an essay entitled “Random Thoughts on Problems of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba,” an Index of Entry Lists and Exhibitors for the summer fair from 1916 to 1935 and the winter fair from 1917 to 1923. The series also includes annual reports, a bulletin from the Canadian Equestrian Federation, Financial Statements, Livestock Classifications, a Manitoba Farm Information Directory, a Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association bulletin, newspapers and inserts, the official handbook of the American Quarter Horse Association, and pamphlets regarding the Super Horse 50/50 and Futurity.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
Contains the following files:
1.1 Johnston McPherson's drivers licenses and membership cards 1923-1963 (includes 2 photos)
1.2 Miss Ella McKay/Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1903-1919
1.3 Mrs. Johnston McPherson miscellaneous [1903-1968]
1.4 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1960 (includes "Story of the Brandon Hills" and "Fun and Happiness on Treasure Trail"
1.5 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1961
1.6 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1962-1963
1.7 (Possibly Johnston McPherson) hay account book 1902; same volume contains a travel diary
1.8 Johston McPherson - Land Title (1910) and correspondence re: land purchase (1909)
1.9 Transcript of History of Justice, Manitoba 1956
1.10 Brandon Hills Busy Bees account book 1927-1934
1.11 Basil McDonald's land patent 1884
1.12 List of electors 1938
1.13 Brandon Hills School teacher's notebook 1927
1.14 List of electors in Glenwood [1915-1941] and Blanchard 1933
1.15 Unidentified correspondence [1902-1929]
1.16 Ella McPherson unsorted correspondence 1915-1952
1.17 Address book with newsclippings ca. 1940 (the bigger of the two address books)
1.18 Ella McPherson address book 1913-1939 (includes 2 photographs; was given to Ella McPherson by Ethel McPherson in 1913; the smaller of the two address books).
Thomas Elton Wesley (Wesley) Pentland, son of T.J. and Annie Isabel (McVety) Pentland, was born on October 21, 1889 in Justice, MB. He died on September 25, 1981 in Brandon, MB. Wesley married Harriet Mary Brownell on April 14, 1942 in Winnipeg, MB. They had no children.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
2.1 Income tax forms 1939
2.1a Wes Pentland correspondence 1911-1917
2.2 Moore/Thomas deed of land 1886-1906
2.3 Postcards ca.1900 - ca.1910
2.4 Correspondence 1911-1946
2.5 Oil leases (Rio Bravo, Canadian Superior, Imperior) 1949-1950
2.6 Livestock records 1947-1951
2.7 Orange Lodge speech and visitations [1939]; dividend certificates 1939
2.8 Automobile club membership 1937-1944
2.9 Life insurance documents 1919-1945
2.10 Mortgage documents 1914-1922
2.11 School records [1911-1913]
2.12 Mrs. Wes Pentland (Harriet) fur insurance policy 1948
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Georgina Jane McPherson, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born in 1875 in Nova Scotia. Georgie never married and lived at home most of her life. She was a loyal member and supporter of the Women's Missionary Society, the Busy Bees and Brandon Hills Church. Due to ill health she lived for a time in the 1940s at Ninette Sanatorium. During her last years she resided with her sister Hattie Morrison, at Rounthwaite. Georgie died in Brandon, MB in 1953.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
4.1 Chattel mortgage documents 1906-1939 (includes 1906 Land Title and 1919 Agreement for land sale)
4.2 Greeting postcards
4.3 Non-greeting postcards
4.4 Undated correspondence
4.5 Correspondence 1939-1946
4.6 Correspondence 1937
4.7 Correspondence 1936
4.8 Correspondence 1935
4.9 Correspondence 1934
4.10 Correspondence 1933
4.11 Correspondence 1932
4.12 Correspondence 1931
4.13 Correspondence 1918-1930
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Hugh McPherson was born January 25, 1845 at West River, Nova Scotia. He married Margaret Esther Sellers (b. March 18, 1849 at Six Mile Brook, Nova Scotia) on February 5, 1875 at Six Mile Brook, Nova Scotia. The couple moved to Brandon Hills, MB c. 1880. Together they had four children: Georgina (Georgie) Jane; Harriet (Hattie); Johnston (Jack); and Angus.
The couple lived at Watervale, NS until they moved to Manitoba with the Brandon Hills settlers. Hugh travelled to Brandon Hills with the Roddick group in 1879, leaving his wife and three children in Nova Scotia. He selected the N.E. 1/4 of section 10, township 9, range 18 as his homestead. Margaret and the children joined Hugh in 1880.
Situated as it was just north of the river and slightly to the east of the end of the hills, the McPherson home became a sopttin house for travellers from the south making their way to and from Grand Valley and later Brandon. The family records show that literally scores of people stayed with the family during the early years. The fee charged for a meal for the driver plus feed for a team was thirty-five cents. Nellie McClung later described the farm and the stopping-house in one of her early books.
Hugh McPherson died at Brandon Hills, MB on March 7, 1916. Margaret Esther Sellers McPherson died at Brandon Hills, MB on July 13, 1935.
In the fall of 1892, Margaret's brother, Angus Sellers and his family arrived at the McPherson home. Included in this part was Margaret's two sisters Jessie Murray and Libby Sellers. The Sellers family remained with the McPherson's until mid-summer of 1893, when they moved to their new farm at Bunclody.
In 1902, after the death of his wife Blanche, Arthur Prowse accepted Margaret McPherson's offer to foster his daughters Winnie and Kitty. The girls stayed with the McPherson's until their marriages; Winnie to Alex Brown and Kitty to Frank Allbright.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
5.1 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1903-1926
5.2 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1927-1931
5.3 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1932-1935
5.4 Margaret McPherson correspondence (undated)
5.5 Margaret McPherson burial/marriage notices 1895-1924
5.6 Margaret McPherson greeting postcards
5.7 Mr. and Mrs. H. McPherson non-greeting postcards
5.8 Margaret McPherson non-greeting postcards
5.9 Hugh Mcpherson notebook 1871
5.10 Hugh McPherson financial records 1913-1918
5.11 Hugh McPherson postcards
5.12 Libby Sellers non-greeting postcards
5.13 Libby Sellers greeting postcards
5.14 Libby Sellers correspondence 1882-1936 (some undated)
5.15 Kitty and Winnie Prowse correspondence and postcards 1916-1923
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection
Angus Sellers McPherson, son of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born March 1, 1884 in Brandon Hills, MB. He died on September 5, 1953 in Brandon, MB. Angus married Ethel Pentland on July 16, 1913. Together they had three sons: Howard Johnston McPherson (m. Jessie Walsh); Alfred Angus Murray McPherson (m. Margaret Raven); and Kenneth George McPherson (m. Mary Spratt).
Ethel (Pentland) McPherson was born May 7, 1890 to Thomas (T.J.) and Annie Isabel (McVety) Pentland. Raised at Justice, MB, Ethel was agraduate of the Winnipeg Normal School; she taught for a number of years at Orange Hall and Brandon Hills. After her husband's death, Ethel remained on the family farm with her sons until she moved to Brandon in 1957. She died on September 20, 1976, in Brandon, MB.
Johnston McPherson, son of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born February 7, 1879 in Nova Scotia. He died on September 17, 1966 in Brandon, MB (Johnston McPherson was the last of the original party that settled the Brandon Hills). From 1896 until 1914, he farmed at Brandon Hills. Johnston married Ella Harvey McKay on July 26, 1918. They had no children.
Ella Harvey McKay, daughter of Simon and Sarah McKay, was born September 5, 1885 at Brandon Hills. Her family moved to Alberta and then British Columbia sometime after her birth. Ella worked in Trail, B.C. for Consolidated Mining and Smelting, before her marriage to Johnston "Jack" McPherson. She died on November 25, 1971 in Brandon, MB.
Harriet (Hattie) McPherson Morrison, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born at Watervale, NS in 1877. She attended Brandon Hills and Central School in Brandon before receiving her teacher training; she taught school at Chatfield and Dunrea. Hattie married Robert Morrison at Brandon Hills in 1920 and together they had two children: Robert Morrison Jr. (m. Lila Berdux) and Margaret Morrison (m. George Walton). The family owned a farm at Rounthwaite until 1964, at which point Hattie and Robert moved to Brandon. Hattie died in Brandon, MB in 1965.
