Archibald E. Wilson was the son of Reverend E.F. Wilson and the husband of St. Clair Vidal Wilson. Rev. E.F. Wilson was at one time in charge of the Shingwauk and Wawanosh Homes at Sault Ste. Marie. Rev. E.F. Wilson moved to Elkhorn, Manitoba in 1888, to establish an educational home for Indian children. He was joined by his son, Archibald E. Wilson who was, in 1890, appointed assistant to the superintendent. A.E. Wilson became Principal of the Indian Industrial School in 1892. His wife served as Matron of the girls departments. Togerher they had three daughters: E.F. Metita, Winifred St. Clair and Murial Grace, as well as two sons: Edward Vidal, and St. Clair Vidal Wilson.
Archibald Wilson and his family lived in Elkhorn, Manitoba during the years 1892 to 1918 while he was principal. At the beginning of his term as Principal there were 12 students enrolled; enrollment reached as high as 95 students, representing eight different nations. In February of 1918, the government withdrew funding and the school closed. In September of 1918, Wilson left Elkhorn to take up his new position as a clerk at an Indian Reserve near Gleichen, Alberta.
During its years of operation, the Elkhorn Industrial School included an Athletic department, a curling team and a boys' football team. Students studied carpentry, shoemaking, harness making, tailoring, knitting and sewing. In 1893, the school was presented with a large Canadian flag for being the best Industrial School in Manitoba and the Territories. In November of 1893, a brass band was established, which provided music for the local Anglican Chruch. After a fire demolished most of the school in 1895, Wilson convinced the Federal Department of Indian Affairs to rebuild the school. In 1899, the Elkhorn Industrial School was reopened.
Custodial History
Most of this fonds was at one time in the possession of Principal A.E. Wilson. After Wilson passed away the pieces of the fonds were kept by one of his daughters, Winifred St. Clair Wilson, now deceased. Winifred married Mr. Frank Clark, M.D. and kept the fonds when she moved to Vancouver B.C. and then to Calgary, Alberta. Winifred Clark eventually donated the fonds to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes four journals, one testimonial and one newspaper article. The journals include: the ‘7th Annual Report of the Washakada Indian Homet 1895-1896,' written by Principal A.E. Wilson; ‘The Greater Britain Messenger’ September and October 1899, which includes the article ‘The Elkhorn Home, Manitoba;’ ‘The National Monthly of Canada’ September 1902, which includes the article ‘Indian Children at Home;’ and the Centeneray Number (March-April 1932) issue of ‘The Algoma Missionary News,’ which includes an article giving information about Rev. E.F. Wilson and his missionary work.
Fonds also includes an article from the November 19, 1971 edition of The Vancouver Sun, entitled "Leisure's Book Reviews," which discusses Indigenous publications in Canada. The testimonial that is included in the fonds, was given to Archibald Wilson upon his departure from Elkhorn. There are 28 subscribers to the testimonial and it is dated September 19, 1918.
Notes
The Wilsons are discussed in J.R. Miller's "Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens: A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada," Miller's "Shingwauk's vision :a history of native residential schools" and John S. Milloy's "A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System 1879-1986." Description by Christy Henry.
Catherine "Kate" Harden (nee Chalmers) (b. 24 May 1890, Brandon; d. 22 Sep 1975, Kenora) was the daughter of Ed and Agnes Chalmers, early residents of Brandon, Manitoba (c. 1882). Kate worked as a cashier at Nation & Shewin's from 1913-1914 before marrying Edward Harden (b. 26 Jan 1886, Hawkhurst, Kent, England; d. 10 April 1962, Brandon) on 03 December 1914. At the time, Harden worked as a driver with the Brandon Fire Department. The couple had two daughters, Edith and Agnes. (sources: Manitoba Vital Statistics database and Henderson's Brandon City Directories)
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows two men and two women standing outdoors on a carpet. Kate Harden (nee Chalmers) stands on the right, her husband Edward "Ted" Harden stands second from the left.
Notes
Writing on back photograph reads: ?, Ted Harden, ?, Kate Harden. Photograph is stamped Crawford's Drug Store, Brandon, Man. [Date range determined from drug store period.]
Photograph shows the entrance of the Prince Edward Hotel decorated to welcome the Kiwanis Club. The main entrance is surrounded by wheat sheaves. The City of Brandon's coat of arms, Kiwanis International logos, and a sign reading Welcome Kiwanis hang above the door. A Dominion of Canada red ensign and Union Jack flag are mounted on either side of the doors.
Photograph shows the Prince Edward Hotel and Canadian National Railways Station along Princess Avenue facing southwest.
Notes
Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Novelty Manufacturing & Art Co. Ltd., Montreal. A cancelled George VI brown Canada 2 cent stamp has been postmarked: Regina, Sask, Terminal A., Jul 22 12:30 PM 1940, Save Time, Use Air Mail.
Photograph shows a southwest view of the Prince Edward Hotel and train station.
Notes
Part of "Souvenir of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada [viewbook], Printed by Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa." Dates obtained from the Burchill's Music Store Henderson's Brandon City Directory listings (1927-1929). Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Prince Edward Hotel, Brandon, Man.
Photograph shows a view from the rooftop of the Prince Edward Hotel. The south side of the Brandon Hotel (most recently the Brandon Inn) and a service station along Prince Avenue can be seen.
Notes
Writing on the back of photograph reads: across the street from roof of P.E. Hotel 1927
Photograph shows a banquet room in the Prince Edward Hotel. Rectangular tables are organized in an U-shape layout. The tables are covered in white linen table cloths and have place settings.
Photograph exfoliated on edges where masking tape has been removed.
History / Biographical
In 1912, the Brandon Daily Sun (30 September 1912) published an article about the 7th Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Association of Architects that was held at the Prince Edward Hotel on September 28. It was the first time that the association held an annual meeting outside of Winnipeg. Local architect W.A. Elliott was elected first vice president of the assocation. As part of the meeting's entertainment, the Brandon Automobile Club provided excursions around the city, making special stops at the fair grounds, industrial school, new asylum buildings, and the experimental farm.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of gentlemen wearing overcoats and hats posing with a motor car parked in front of the Prince Edward Hotel. A Brandon pennant is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. The large man standing second from the right wearing a light top hat and coat is architect W.A. Elliott.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Return to Brandon Sun, F.V. Haney and T.W. Willey, September 14, 1912.
