File consists of procedures for the selection of the Dean of Arts, correspondence, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada documents, an organizational chart for the University and information on the Library.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.4 Correspondence and subject files
Box 6
BRANDON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS:
DR. JOHN E. ROBBINS (Brandon College 1960-1967; Brandon University 1967 - August 31, 1969)
John E. Robbins was raised in Darlingford, Manitoba. He received both his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Manitoba. He spent a number of years working in the Education Division of the Bureau of Statistics, attaining the position of Director there, as well as being the Director of the Information Division. During the years that he worked there he took several leaves of absence in order to hold a Carnegie Corporation Traveling Fellowship in the Scandinavian countries in 1933 and to obtain his Ph.D. at the University of Ottawa in 1935.
Robbins helped to found the Canadian Association for Adult Education, the Social Science Research Council of Canada, the Humanities Research Council of Canada, the United Nations Association in Canada and the Canadian Citizenship Council. In 1942 he became a member of the Board of Directors of Carlton University. Dr. Robbins was active in UNESCO work, was a member of Canadian Government delegations to foreign conferences and spent a year as director of an educational system for Palestinian refugees in the Arab countries surrounding Israel.
In 1960, while editor-in-chief of the newly compiled "Encyclopedia Canadiana," Robbins was asked to become the sixth and final President of Brandon College. From 1960 to 1967, he oversaw construction of the Arts and Library Building and Lecture Theatre, a Mens' Residence, a Dining Hall, a Heating Plant, a Ladies' Residence, a Music Building, a Physical Education Building and an Education Building. After the university charter was granted in 1967, Robbins was installed as the first President of Brandon University. After his retirement from Brandon University in 1969, he took the position of Canadian Ambassador to the Vatican. He died in 1995, at the age of 91.
DR. A.L. DULMAGE (July 1, 1970 - June 30, 1977)
Andrew Lloyd Dulmage was born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 13, 1917. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in 1939 and his Masters in 1940, both from the University of Toronto. After working as a teaching fellow at the University of Toronto for one year, Dulmage took a position at the University of Manitoba teaching in the department of mathematics. In 1950, he left the University of Manitoba for a position at the Royal Military College of Canada. Dulmage received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1952.
Dulmage returned to the University of Manitoba from 1956-1964, before being appointed head of the department of mathematics at the University of Alberta. In 1966, he returned to the University of Manitoba as Professor of mathematics and Associate Dean of the faculties of arts and science; he was named Dean of Arts and Acting Dean of the faculties of arts and science in 1969. Dulmage left the University of Manitoba in 1970 to accept the position of President of Brandon University.
Under his leadership, from 1970-1977, the Native Studies Department was established and several four-year programs were introduced at Brandon University. Dulmage also helped to expand educational opportunities for the public in general and senior citizens in particular. After leaving BU, Dulmage headed the mathematics department Andrew Lloyd Dulmage was married with two children. He died suddenly at his home in Gold River, Nova Scotia on May 16, 1989.
DR. HAROLD J. PERKINS (July 1, 1977 - December 1983)
Harold Jackson Perkins was born in London, Ontario c. 1930. He received degrees from the University of British Columbia and Iowa. From 1958-1963, Perkins was a researcher with the Canadian department of agriculture in Lethbridge, AB before moving to Plattsurgh, NY where he held the post of Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for the University of New York, Plattsburgh campus.
Perkins began his tenure as President of Brandon University in July 1977. He resigned on November 28, 1983. Following his departure from the President's Office, Perkins returned to a faculty position at Brandon University and did some teaching related to computer systems until his retirement.
Harold Perkins is married to Mary Louise. They have four children together, three sons and a daughter. They continue to live in Brandon, MB.
DR. E.J. TYLER (February 1984 - July 31, 1985)
Earl John (Curly) Tyler was born December 22, 1913 in Moose Jaw, SK. He received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1946 and his M.Sc. in 1950 and Ph.D. in 1954 from the University of Utah. He carried out post-doctoral studies at the University of Saskatchewan in 1957 and 1961, the University of Michigan in 1959, and Harvard University in 1960.
Tyler joined the staff at Brandon College in 1949, founding and developing the undergraduate program in psychology there; from 1949-1976, he was the Chairman of the Psychology Department. In 1979, while continuing his consulting and research work in the areas of recreation and leisure, Tyler retired to do continued research on the psychology of aging. He was appointed Professor Emeritus in the fall of 1980. From February 1984 to July 1985, Tyler was the Interim President of Brandon University and in October, 1985, he was the first BU past-president to be honored as President Emeritus by the BU Board of Governors.
In 1974, Tyler was the third recipient of the Clifford J. Robson Distinguished Psychologist in Manitoba Award for outstanding service to Psychology in Manitoba. Tyler, a social psychologist, was the first winner from outside Winnipeg. In 1983, he was awarded The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association Citation for Outstanding Achievement. Tyler was also an honorary lifetime member in the Canadian Psychological Association.
Earl J. (Curly) Tyler died on October 16, 1997.
DR. JOHN R. MALLEA (August 1, 1985 - July 31, 1990)
Born in 1937/8, John Mallea's academic and research background included the fields of sociology and education. Prior to becoming President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University, Mallea held teaching positions at Queen's University and at the Ontario institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, where he also served as Assistant Director (Academic).
During his tenure at Brandon University, Mallea worked closesly with the Planning and Priorities Committee, which resulted in academic and physical growth, including: approval for the Bachelor of Nursing and Masters of Education; the opening of the Rural Development Institute; the establishment of the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professorship Endowment; cooperative educational projects with Malawi, Swaziland and Botswana; the completion of the Knowles-Douglas Complex, the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, the near completion of a new steam plant and the initial plans for the Clark Hall and Original Building renovations; and the Building From Strength campaign.
John Mallea is married to Paula Mallea, a lawyer who had a thriving law practice in Kingston before coming to Brandon, where she sat for the Manitoba bar exams. The John and Paula Mallea Endowment Fund at Brandon University was established in their honour.
DR. C.D. ANDERSON (August 1, 1990 - July 31, 2000)
C. Dennis Anderson was born on September 29, 1942 in Libau, Manitoba. He received his B.Sc. from Brandon College (The University of Manitoba) in 1964, his Masters in Business Administration from McMaster University in 1969, and his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario in 1977.
From 1969-1971, Anderson was an Assistant Professor of Marketing and Management at the College of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan and from 1974-1990, he taught in the Faculty of Management at the University of Manitoba. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Anderson was also the President of Decision Research Limited, a marketing research and business consulting firm.
Anderson came to Brandon University in 1990. From that date until his resignation in July 2004, he was a Professor in the Department of Business Administration. In addition, from 1990-2000, Anderson was the President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University. During his years in Brandon, he was also: Chair of various search committees for senior administrative positions; a founding member of the Northern Manitoba Business Institute; a member of the Board of the Brandon University Alumni Association; a member of the Board of Brandon University Foundation; an ex-officio member of Faculty Councils; Chair of the Central Appointments Committee; Chair of the President's Advisory Group; Chair of the Joint Board-Senate Planning and Priorities Committee; Chair of the Senate and senate Executive; and a member of the Board of Governors and various Board subcommittees.
Some of Anderson's additional involvements included being a member of: the Rural Advisory Committee to the Minister of Rural Development (1994-1997); the Board of Directors of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; the Economic Innovation and Technology Council (EITC) Government of Manitoba; the Governing Council of the University of Swaziland; the Board of Directors, Centra Gas Manitoba Inc.; the Board of Directors, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (Manitoba Region); and the Board of Directors, Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
At present (January 2006), Dennis Anderson lives in Libau, MB.
DR. LOUIS P. VISENTIN (August 1, 2000 - July 31, 2009)
No biographical information yet.
Dr. Deborah Poff (August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2014)
Deborah Poff has a B.A. (Hons) from Queen's University and a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Guelph. She obtained her M.A. from Carelton University and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Guelph. She is married to Dr. Alex Michalos.
Poff joined the University of Northern British Columbia in 1993 as the founding Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and served for ten years as the Vice-President Academic and Provost. In 2004-2005, she served as the Sheldon Chumir Fellow in public policy doing research on ethical leadership and the future of university governance.
During her career Poff co-founded two international peer-reviewed academic journals, the Journal of Business Ethics and the Journal of Academic Ethics. She has served on numerous national and international boards and councils, holding positions including President of the National Council on Ethics in Human Research and Vice-President Development with the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Following the completion of her term as President at Brandon University, Poff retired to the Ottawa area. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016.
DR. GERVAN ALBERT FEARON (August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2017)
Gervan Fearon completed his post-secondary education at the University of Guelph (B.A. and M.A. in Agricultural Economics) and received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) designation.
Prior to joining Brandon University as Vice-President (Adcademic & Provost) in 2013, Fearon held several academic positions including Dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University, as an Associate Dean (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) and Associate Professor at York University. He was also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington. In addition to his academic career, Fearon also spent several years in the Ontario Government as a senior analyst at Treasury Board Division, Ontario Ministry of Finance, and as an executive assistant to the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamon Jubilee Medal.
Fearon was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University in August 2014. He left his position at Brandon University in July 2017 to become President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University.
DR. STEVEN ROBINSON (Interim President, August 1, 2017 - April 30, 2019)
Steven Robinson joined the Philosophy Department at Brandon University in 1996, after lecturing at both the University of Regina and the University of Guelph. Robinson completed brief stints as Associate Dean of Arts, Acting Dean of Arts and Acting Vice-President (Academic & Provost) before being appointed Vice-President (Academic & Provost) for a five year term commencing July 1, 2016.
Robinson was appointed Interim President and Vice-Chancellor by the Brandon University Board of Governors following the announcement of Gervan Fearon's departure.
DR. DAVID DOCHERTY (May 1, 2019 - present)
David Docherty completed degrees from McMaster University and Wilfrid Laurier, as well as a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
Prior to becoming Brandon Univeristy's President and Vice-Chancellor in 2019, Docherty spent more than seventeen years at Wilfrid Laurier University, serving as a Professor of Political Science, as Dean of Arts and as a Senior Advisor on Multi-Campus Initiatives. He was also a founding member of the university's Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion. For ten years before coming to Brandon, Docherty served as President at Mount Royal University.
Scope and Content
The majority of the records in this sub-series are unprocessed.
Notes
A partial inventory of the sub-series exsists as a Word document. Biographical information for John E. Robbins was taken from the "Brandon College finding aid" prepared by Karyn Riedel for the McKee Archives in 1998. Biographical information for Dennis Anderson was taken from his personel file. Biographical information for E.J. Tyler was taken from his biographical file in the McKee Archives. Biographical information for Harold Perkins was taken from an article in "The Quill" (April 7, 1977). Biographical information on Lloyd Dulmage was taken from Campus News - 1989. Biographical information for John Mallea was taken from Campus News (April 1985, May 1989, June 1990). Biographical information for Deborah Poff, Gervan Fearon, Steven Robinson and David Docherty was taken from Brandon University press releases.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 3: Office of the President
The Annual President's Report typically included a brief report from each office of the College/University, covering the developments of the previous year. In addition, financial, enrollment data and new program initiatives were included. The annual reports also contained information concerning faculty publications and awards.
Scope and Content
Sub-series contains President's reports for the following years:
BOX 1:
1914-1915; 1921-1923; 1926-1927; 1927-1928; 1929-1930; 1934-1935; 1935-1936; 1946-1947; 1960-1962; 1962-1964; 1964-1967; 1968-1969; 1969-1970; 1970-1971; 1971-1972; 1972-1973; 1973-1974; 1974-1975; 1975-1976; 1976-1977
Brandon College report for 1964-1967, contains a historical account of the development of the library for the period 1900-1967.
BOX 2:
1978-1979; 1982-1983; 1983-1984; 1985-1986; 1986-1987; 1987-1988; 1988-1989; 1989-1990; 1991-1993
Notes
For ease of administration, President's reports from the Brandon College era have been included in the sub-series. Formerly accession RP80-43.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 3: Office of the President
File consists of an agreement between the University and A.L. Dulmage, a copy of the presidential contractural arrangements, lists of furnishings, correspondence, a motor vehicle rental agreement, a list of renovations, as well as other records dealing with the residence.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.4 Correspondence and subject files
Box 6
The Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee of Senate consists of the Dean of each Faculty/School, the Dean of Students, one representative elected by and from each Faculty or School, two students appointed by the BUSU Council and the Coordinator of the B.G.S. Programme. The University Registrar is to act as Secretary.
The responsibilites of the CAS Committe are to: recommend admission standards; recommend, but not initiate, adoption of new courses, revision of experimental courses to regular courses and deletions of current courses, as well as substantive changes to curriculum and departmental programs, including degree requirements for majors and minors; recommend regulations for the conduct of courses such as course outlines, duration, participation and evaluation procedures; recommend policies for the scheduling and conduct of examinations; recommend policies for the evaluation of new undergrduate degrees, new departments and new departmental majors and minors; recommend regulations on required grade point averages, academic suspension and re-admission of students; recommend candidates for graduation; make recommendations on any other mater pertaining to academic standards and student records; hear undergraduage appeals relating to the academic regulations of the University and make decisions as appropriate.
Custodial History
The records were transfered to the McKee Archives by the Senate Office, Brandon University on February 3, 1998.
Scope and Content
Sub sub series consists of the minutes and related materials for the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee, a standing committee of the University Senate, for the years September 1968 to September 1987. In addition, these papers contain the minutes of the Admissions Sub-Committee 1968-1976, 1984-1987.
Box 1: Admissions Sub-Committee 1968-1976, CAS Committee September 1968 - April 8, 1974
Box 2: CAS Committee minutes April 15, 1974 - November 18, 1976.
Box 3: CAS Committee minutes November 25, 1976 - August 3, 1978
Box 4: CAS Committee minutes August 22, 1978 - December 21, 1979
Box 5: CAS Committee minutes January 11, 1980 - October 13, 1981
Box 6: CAS Committee minutes October 19, 1981 - May 26, 1983
Box 7: CAS Committee minutes July 4, 1983 - February 8, 1985
Box 8: CAS Committee minutes June 13, 1986 - September 10, 1987
Box 9: CAS Committee minutes Admission Sub-Committee June 20, 1984 - August 18, 1987, CAS Committee minutes March 8, 1985 - May 15, 1986.
Notes
Information in the History/Bio field was taken from the Brandon University Senate Bylaws - Section VIII Committees of Senate.
Accruals
Further accruals expected.
Access Restriction
Closed session material, including closed session minutes of the CAS Committee and the records of the Admissions sub-committee may be used only with the permission of the University Archivist.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 6: Brandon University Senate
6.2 Committees of Senate
Arrangement
Within each box files are arranged chronologically by meeting date.
File consists of the aims and goals of Brandon University, a faculty-administration brief and the Senate's response to the Wains and Archer report on Brandon University.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.4 Correspondence and subject files
Box 6
As stipulated in "The Brandon University Act (1998)," the president is the chief executive officer and the Vice-Chancellor of the university and has general supervision over and direction of the operation of the university, including the academic work of the university; supervises the teaching staff, officers, employees and students of the university; may consider and make recommendations to the board or the senate about any matter that affects the university; is an ex officio member of every committee of the board and the senate; and has any other powers and duties assigned by the board.
The President reports to the Board of Governors, while receiving direct reports from the: Vice-President (Academic and Research), the Vice-President (Administration and Finance), the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the Director of University Relations and the Director of International Activities. The president also interacts with the Board of Governors, the Senate, students, faculty members, staff members, unions, alumni, businesses, the Brandon University Foundation, the Brandon community, rural, northern and Aboriginal Communities, donors, government officials (municipal, provincial & federal), the K – 12 school system, and institutions of higher education, in Manitoba, Canada and internationally.
Scope and Content
Series has been divided into two sub-series, including: (1) President's files; and (2) President's reports.
Notes
Administrative information in the History/Bio field was taken from "The Brandon University Act (1998)" at http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/1998/c04898e.php (December 2005) and http://www.brandonu.ca/admin/Policies/Administrative/position%20job%20desc%20President.pdf (December 2005).
The Office of the President of Brandon College was established in 1899 under the title of Principal. The Principal was the head of the Academic Department and the Administrative body. In 1910, the position of Principal was changed to the position of President. There is no documented reason given for this change, but it was consistent with other universities and colleges at the time. When the institution was first organized in 1899, the role of the Principal was quite varied. It was the Principal who acted as both Registrar and Bursar, in addition to his duties as head of administration. The Principal also acted as a professor. It was the Principal who kept the college in contact with the Baptist Union. The Principal also acted as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Senate, being an ex-officio member of both. In 1910, the roles of Registrar and Bursar were no longer the responsibility of the President. In the 1920’s the President became increasingly involved with fundraising and traveled extensively in search of financial support.
In 1938, following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated,” the Board of Directors, under by-law #1, assigned the President with “the internal management of the business of the Corporation insofar as it relates to the students, teaching and office staff shall be under the direct supervision of the President, subject to the order of the Board.” In 1965 the President’s Office was created, consisting of the President, Executive Assistant to the President (later Deputy to the President), and Secretary to the President who was also the Public Relations Assistant. From 1899 until 1967 the Office of the President was administered by six different men.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records generated and collected by various presidents. The series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) Dr. Archibald P. McDiarmid; (2) Dr. Howard Primrose Whidden; (3) Dr. Franklin W. Sweet; (4) Dr. David Bovington; (5) Dr. John Robert Charles Evans; and (6) Dr. John E. Robbins.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 2: Office of the Principal/President
The offices of the President and General Manager were established in 1896 with the creation of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. These positions were held jointly by the one officer of company until 1975, when the Board of Directors of the Company divided the two positions, thereby relieving the President from management of plant operations.
Under the General By-Laws of the Company, the President, when present, presided over all Board of Directors meetings. He also signed all documents that may have required his signature and performed any other duties assigned to him by the board. The President exercised general supervision and control over the business of the Company and performed such duties as are usually associated with the office of President of Chief Executive officer of a company.
The General Manager had full power and authority to manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company. He was also responsible for employing and discharging agents and employees of the Company. After A.E. McKenzie gifted the majority of his company shares to the Government of Manitoba in 1945, the General Manager remained responsible for all operations of the Company. However, the General Manager found himself accountable to a Board of Directors comprised mainly of government appointees.
A. E. McKenzie held the offices of President/General Manager from 1896 until his death in 1964, at which time J. Lasby Lowes succeeded him. Following Lowes' retirement in 1968, A.R. Swanson was appointed by the government to fill the positions. Anthony J. Maruca became President of A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. in 1972. In 1975, the Board of Directors appointed William Moore the first individual to hold the position of General Manager without also occupying the President's office. At the same time, Mr. Pat Kelleher was named the new interim President. Following Kelleher's resignation, Moore was appointed President of the company. Keith Guelpa became President around 1984 following Moore's departure from the company to face criminal charges arising from his activities as an officer of the company. Raymond West assumed the position after Guelpa’s departure.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
Series consists almost entirely of records and documents generated by the first two President/General Managers of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. In addition to the records created by A.E. McKenzie and J. Lasby Lowes in their capacity as President/General Manager, records pertaining to the various properties owned by the Company are also included. The series also contains marketing documents, including catalogues and sales literature, as well as a reference library comprised of twenty titles dealing with business and the seed industry and some records dealing with the President/General Managers following Lowes' retirement.
The series has been divided into seven sub-series, including: (1) A.E. McKenzie; (2) J. Lasby Lowes; (3) Comptroller; (4) Properites; (5) Marketing; (6) Reference Library; and (7) Miscellaneous Publications/Correspondence.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
In addition to his personal library, Fred McGuinness maintained extensive files on numerous topics/subjects containing newspapers clippings, magazine and journal articles, letters of correspondence, photographs, pamphlets, etc. He accumulated his local history materials by personally collecting newspaper, books, and magazine articles; by readers’ forwarding materials for his interest; and from workshop participants submitting memoirs and personal narratives for his interest, review and feedback. McGuinness continued to add to his “topic” files throughout his lifetime.
Usually McGuinness kept his research materials and communications together for his respective writing assignments, however, he would often use the same research materials to write on similar topics that appeared in a number of different publications. McGuinness likely used his local history research materials for his Brandon Sun Sunbeams and Diary columns, his monographs, and possibly for his Local History Style Guide (1984), as well as in his memoir writing workshops. For his column writing, particularly for Neighborly News, McGuinness created file folders on particular topics. These held newspaper clippings collected from the prairie weeklies and once a folder was full, he wrote about the subject.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The series consists of records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his time as a journalist, editor, and freelance writer. The series has been divided into two subseries, including: (1) Local history research and (2) Newspaper clippings.
Local history materials consist of newspaper clippings, correspondence, biographical documents and memoirs, obituaries, and manuscript drafts on Brandon (Manitoba) topics including: origins, anniversaries, centennial, reunions, early pioneers/families, historic buildings and streets, businesses, museums, local newspapers, prominent citizens, military units, and politicians. McGuinness also maintain files on the local history of surrounding communities, including: Birtle, Beresford, Camp Hughes, Hartney, Kemnay, Russell, and Souris.
Notes
Information in the history/biography was taken from Neighborly News column (#934, November 10, 1997). Items dating to the 1880s are photocopies and transcripts of original materials
In the file level inventories, square brackets at the end of file names reference the original location of the file in the unprocessed Fred McGuinness collection. The original location is also noted on the front of each file folder
Accruals
Closed
Language Note
NNC = Neighborly News Column
Finding Aid
File level inventories for each subseries are available. See
individual subseries’ descriptions
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
John Everitt collection
Clarence Hopkin collection
Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Jack Stothard collection
William Wallace papers
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible work and correspondence pertaining to his research materials may be found in the Fred McGuinness collection Monograph series (McG 5) and subseries: Correspondence (McG 1.2), Brandon Sun (McG 2.2), Neighborly News (McG 2.3), Miscellaneous freelance (McG 3.2), Talks and workshops (McG 6.3). McGuinness also “filed” many clippings between the pages of his books in his personal library (see McG 8 Library series)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Series has been re-arranged according to publication period
McG 4 McGuinness research
McG 4.1 Local history research materials
McG 4.2 Newspaper clippings
During the Great Depression, Fred McGuinness launched his career with the Brandon Sun as a paper career beginning in 1933. His route had him delivering papers in Brandon’s downtown core, to many of the city’s, now, historic or demolished buildings. Four years later he was employed in the city working for CPR telegraphs as a messenger and then as an operator. These early Brandon experiences weaved their way into McGuinness’ newspaper columns, his broadcasts, and his books. In turn, McGuinness’ readers shared with him their own memories about Brandon and its local history.
McGuinness was passionate about the social history of regional communities and the province as a whole. In the 1970s, McGuinness was instrumental in helping to establish the Rural Resource Centre, the predecessor to Brandon University’s SJ McKee Archives. He co-authored several monographs about Manitoba’s social history with Brandon University Professor Ken Coates and published a pictorial history about Brandon. He was also a community booster and was consulted to serve on, promote and write about local, provincial and rural development initiatives. In his obituary, the last piece he would publish in the Brandon Sun, McGuinness wrote that he had a “deep and continuing interest in anniversaries.”
In its editorial piece on the passing of Fred McGuinness, the Brandon Sun commented that McGuinness had a “genuine interest in the stories and memories that are part of every Canadian’s experience…He loved driving through small Westman towns and communities, stopping at the local coffee shop to strike up conversations with the locals.” He continued writing his Diary column for the Brandon Sun and mentoring aspiring writers in his memoir writing workshops until his death in 2011.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The subseries consists of records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his time as a journalist, editor, and freelance writer. As part of his research and writing process, McGuinness kept numerous files on various subjects and continued to add to them throughout his career. He accumulated his local history materials by personally collecting newspapers and clippings, books, and magazine articles; by readers’ forwarding materials for his interest; and from workshop participants submitting memoirs and personal narratives for his interest, review and feedback.
Local history materials consist of newspaper clippings, correspondence, biographical documents and memoirs, obituaries, and manuscript drafts on Brandon (Manitoba) topics including:
the City of Brandon’s origins, anniversaries (75th, centennial), reunions (Victoria 1969, Toronto 1977)
historic buildings and streets (Brandon’s Central Heating System, Brandon’s Fire Department, Brandon Gun ClubBrandon water power plant)
businesses (Assiniboine River ice harvest; Brandon woolen mills, skating arenas; Snellie brothers (Russell, MB); Meighen, Haddad, & Co., Prince Edward Hotel)
citizens and early pioneer/families (Armitage family, Beaubier family, Thomas Black, J.A. Brock, Henry Carroll, Q.C., Chalmer-Harden families, Clement family, Flora Cowan, Eliza Durston, William A. Elliott, Dr. Fleming, Hall family, Eleanor Kidd, Jack Lane, William Langdon, Lindenberg family, A.E. McKenzie, Margaret Muir, William Muir, W.S. Orchard, Mrs. Osmond (Griswold), General Thomas Lafayette Rosser, Harry Spafford, Allena Strath, George Treherne, Wallace family)
institutions (ACC, Brandon Research Station)
military units (181st Battalion)
museums (Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum)
local newspapers
politicians (R.O. Lissaman, Sir Clifford Sifton)
railways (1916 Brandon trainwreck)
religious organizations (Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus, Beresford Church)
McGuinness also maintain files on the local history of surrounding communities, including: Birtle, Beresford, Camp Hughes, Hartney, Kemnay, Russell, and Souris.
Notes
Information in the history/biography was taken from “We’re Going to Miss You, Fred,” Brandon Sun, March 24, 2011, A8
Items dating to the 1880s are photocopies and transcripts of original materials
In the file level inventories, square brackets at end of file names reference the original location of the file in the unprocessed Fred McGuinness collection. The original location is also noted on the front of each file folder
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
John Everitt collection
Clarence Hopkin collection
Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Jack Stothard collection
William Wallace papers
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible work and correspondence pertaining to his research materials may be found in the Fred McGuinness collection Monograph series (McG 5) and subseries: Correspondence (McG 1.2), Brandon Sun (McG 2.2), Neighborly News (McG 2.3), Miscellaneous freelance (McG 3.2), Talks and workshops (McG 6.3). McGuinness also “filed” many clippings between the pages of his books in his personal library (see McG 8 Library series)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to publication period