David Andrew Brown was born on October 30, 1894 near Dumfries, Scotland. His family arrived in Canada in 1908 and settled on a farm east of Deloraine, MB in the Hazeldean district. David attended Manitoba Agriculture College, graduating in 1920. Following graduation he was appointed assistant to the professor of horticulture and was given responsibility for directing all the experimental work with vegetables, fruits and flowers, as well as upkeep of the College campus. He briefly accepted a teaching position in botany in the Teulon, Gunton and Balmoral high schools, before becoming the assistant superintendent of the Federal Government Station in Mordon, MB in 1922. David married Edith Merle McKenzie (1900-1995) on July 22, 1922 and together they had three children: Ian, Dorothy and Shirley.
In 1928, David moved from the Morden Experimental Farm to take the position of supervisor of illustration stations at the Brandon Experimental Farm. In this role he travelled the province planting experimental cereal crops and working to reclaim soil lost to erosion during the draught of the 1930s. In 1947, he became the assistant superintendent, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. Following his retirement, David was instrumental in establisting the Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was very active in this organization until he was involved in an accident in March 1988. David was a life member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada and served terms as the president of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists and the Manitoba Horticultural Society. He was also a well-known landscape planner for many Brandon residents and rural homesteads, a judge at local summer horticultural fairs and a member of Knox United Church, where he served as a choir member, an elder on the church board and as clerk of session. In 1977, the University of Manitoba conferred the honorary degree of L.L.D. upon him to acknowledge his oustanding contribution to agriculture in Manitoba. David Brown died on July 4, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with David A. Brown, about his life and career, as well as the early history of Manitoba agriculture. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Brown's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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The beanie measures 17 cm in diameter and is approximately 11 cm tall. It is composed of alternating bands of blue and gold felt. The initials "BC" appear on the front of the beanie.
The beanie measures 20 cm in diameter and is approximately 8 cm tall. It is composed of alternating bands of blue and gold felt and has a blue felt loop at the peak. The initials "BC" appear on the front of the beanie.
The ring is a rectangular gold class ring from 1963, with the Brandon College shield of arms on the top of the ring. The numbers "19" and "63" are engraved on the shoulders of the ring. The ring is in a gray velvet jewellery box from Zeke's Jewellers.
The spade was presented to Mrs. William Davies on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of Brandon College (Original Building), July 13th, 1900. The spade is approximately 16.5 cm long and is missing its handle. It is composed of silver, but appears to have been gold plated at one point as there are patches of gold over top of the silver base.
Notes
Part of BU 16.3 Artifacts - other. The spade tarnishes (polished October 2006).
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series16: Brandon University/College artifacts
16.3 Artifacts - other
Reading room display case
The plate measures 26 cm in diameter and is white with blue glazing. The centre of the plate depicts the Brandon College Original Building and the words "Brandon College, Brandon Manitoba." The outside of the plate is a flower motif. On the back of the plate, in the same blue as the front, are the words "Canadian View Series, Brandon Manitoba." There is also a trademark of a bird with a banner reading "Trademark England."
Notes
Part of BU 16.3 Artifacts - other.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series16: Brandon University/College artifacts
16.3 Artifacts - other
Reading room display case
Kay Smith (nee Oliver) donated this item, along with items 5 and 6 from RG 6, sub-series 16.2 (Artifacts - apparel) to the Archives in May of 2003. She graduated from Brandon College in 1953 and again in 1955.
Scope and Content
The jacket is a blue felt lettermans jacket with yellow buttons, yellow leather side pockets and blue and yellow stripped cuffs. On the upper left side is a variation of the Brandon College shield of arms and a banner reading "Brandon College." Athletic letters for swimming and basketball, received for playing varsity, are located on either side of the buttons at the bottom of the jacket. A band reading "Arts 63" is located on the upper right sleeve.
Notes
Part of BU 16.2 Artifacts - apparel. Jacket was drycleaned in October 2006.
The largest crest has a couple of holes in the background.
Custodial History
Items were accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Consists of three blue and gold Brandon College crests made from felt. Two are circular in shape, measuring 4.25" and 3.75" across. The third is oval in shape, measuring 4 x 3.5". All three are composed of the letters "B" and "C" in gold and intertwined on a blue background. The two circular crests also have a gold border.
The matting has a large tear and some stains. The photograph itself has a couple of small stains.
Scope and Content
Photograph is looking southwest from the north end of the driveway and 18th Street and shows the Brandon College campus, including the front lawn, Clark Hall, the Brandon College Building and the Citizens' Science Building. Caption on the photograph reads: Brandon College: The Baptist College in Western Canada.
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