William Birtles was born in Alexander, Manitoba in 1930. He received his early education at Alexander School. In 1948, he completed grade 12 at St. John's College School in Winnipeg. He undertook formal training in art, beginning in 1949, at the Winnipeg School of Art. In 1952, he graduated from the Manitoba Provincial Normal School. After teaching school in Winnipeg for three years, Birtles completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Sculpture in 1958. He obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1970. Throughout his adult years, Birtles taught in various Manitoba communities, was active as an artist, showing his work and winning awards. He was also active in the Manitoba Society of Artists and associated provincial organizations. Birtles is retired and is a resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Custodial History
All of the items in the fonds were in the possession of William Birtles until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2003.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Ms. Sarah Birtles, Rt. Rev W.W.H. Thomas D.D, the Thomas Smith farmhouse located northwest of Alexander, and a postcard containing a photograph of Westminster Abbey. Fonds also contains two biographical sketches written by William Birtles: one of Ms. Sarah Birtles - three pages - and one of Rt. Rev. W.W. H. Thomas D.D - six pages. Also includes the program of the Composite Lodge No. 64 G.R.M., A.F. & A.M. sixty-fifth Anniversary (Alexander, MB 1961).
Clark J. Smith Studio was located at 135 10th Street. It opened c. 1913 and was sold to Lawrence Stuckey in 1958.
Clark Jaques Smith was born in November 1879 in Consecon, Ontario to John Allen Smith, a photographer, and his wife Eliza. Clark Smith came west in 1908. With his wife Margaret had two or three daughters (Jean Day, Thelma Courice and Marie? Smith?). Smith was a former member of the Kiwanis Club, a past president of the Western Canada Photographers Association and was a life long member of that association. He died in Brandon, Manitoba on January 9, 1968.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of the reception area of Clark J. Smith photography studio.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the 1911 Canadian census, Smith's cemetary record and his obituary (Brandon Sun January 11, 1968).
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
Inscription: Samuel J. McKee, D.D., LL.D. b. 1849 in Ontario, d. 1937 in Vancouver. Principal Literary Academy in Rapid City and Brandon, 1883-1899. Vice Principal, Brandon College, 1899-1924.
Dimensions
113 X 85 cm
Size Overall
158 X 130 cm
Medium
oil
Condition
Small loss of paint in area c.. 21cm TL X 27cm L. Minor abrasion of paint in area lower R, as well as along the left edge of image. Varnish cracks all over image. Canvas should have back protection to prevent further damages. The frame has a broken p
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
W. Dowling, President of Provincial Exhibition 1919
Notes
Mr. Stuckey originally placed 32 negatives in one envelope labeled “M – Presidents of Fair Boards 1882 – 1972”; We have separated and renumbered these negatives as M30(1) to M30(32) inclusively; Records of the Provincial Exhibition Association are held in the S.J. McKee Archives (RG2) including photos of board members.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
W. Davidson, President of Provincial Exhibition 1943 - 1946.
Notes
Mr. Stuckey originally placed 32 negatives in one envelope labeled “M – Presidents of Fair Boards 1882 – 1972”; We have separated and renumbered these negatives as M30(1) to M30(32) inclusively; Records of the Provincial Exhibition Association are held in the S.J. McKee Archives (RG2) including photos of board members.
Photograph shows W. C. Smalley, editor of the Brandon College paper, “The Critic,” sitting at a desk in the Office of the Critic.
Notes
Photograph appears to be a reproduction. There is a stamp in the bottom right corner and the following words in the bottom left corner of the image: The halls are wrapt in slumber deep/The wee small hours have come/But his weary eylids cannot sleep/"The Critic" must be done!
Vining taught Mathematics, Natural Science, History, and Physics at Brandon College from 1900-1918. Vining wrote the lyrics to "Hail Our College;" his wife Abigail wrote the music.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Arthur Vining standing in front of the steps of either the Brandon College Building or Clark Hall.