William "Billy" Muir came to Brandon in 1881 where he worked at the Coombs & Stewart general store. He became the proprietor of Brandon's first grocery store located on 138-6th Street. The building was demolished in 1952 (see Brandon Daily Sun 04 September 1952). According to correspondence in the McGuinness collection (see McG 1.2 File 22), Dr. Matheson brought the first car to Brandon, which he later sold to Muir. A note in McGuinness' papers (see McG 1.2 File 53) identifies the first motor car as a Hupmobile, which was purported to have arrived in Brandon in 1905. The Hupp Motor Car Company, however, is reported to have manufactured Hupmobiles between 1909 and 1940. Mrs. (Jessie) R.M. Coombs was Allena Strath's (nee Coombs) mother.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard shows a woman, identified as Mrs. (Jessie) Robert M. Coombs, seated behind the wheel of a motor car.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Mother Mrs. R. [Robert] M. Coombs in Billy Muir's car, Brandon around 1908
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.
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - dressed in a three-piece and hat sitting at the reins of a horse drawn buggy. The buggy appears to be parked on Lorne Avenue beside the bandstand at Stanely Park.
Notes
Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: This George Porterfield, who lived on a farm 4.9.19. Delivered eggs, cream & milk in Brandon by this method in the early 1920. Maybe he was out courting Mary, he looks pretty dressed up.
According to the Brandon Daily Sun (07 May 1913), the first three street cars (Nos. 10, 9, and 7) arrived in Brandon on the evening of May 6, 1913. The cars were shipped via Canadian National Rail to Brandon from Winnipeg and stored at the railway siding on McTavish Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets. The daily paper (15 May 1915) reported that a test run for the street cars was scheduled for May 16, 1913. The City Clerk published a public notice in the paper (29 May 1913) announcing the formal opening of the "Brandon Municipal Street Raily" for on Monday, June 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at city hall where the cars would be displayed.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts three municipal street cars parked on the 10th Street tracks in front of the Winter Fair Building. In front of the cars are a group of men wearing suits, hats, and top coats. Two automobiles are parked alongside the street cars. According to Archivist Emeritus Tom Mitchell, the group of men are members of the Brandon Municipal Street Railway Committee. The chairman of the committee, Harry Cater, can be seen in the center-left of the group wearing a watch fob. The committee had assembled for a test run of the street car service, which the Brandon Daily Sun reported to have occured on Sunday, May 16, 1913.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: First Street Car in Brandon in front of Winter Fair building 1910.
According to Russ Gourluck (Silver Screens on the Prairie, Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications, 2012, 26), the Orpheum Theatre was in operation from 1917 to 1920 when it then became the Willis Theatre.
Scope and Content
Postcard shows the 100 block of 10th Street facing north. The CPR train station can be seen at the end of 10th Street. The sign for the Rex Cafe is visible on the west side of 10th Street. On the east side of 10th Street, billboards for Campbell & Campbell furniture are visible as well as signs for Pianos and the Orpheum Theatre. Motorists and cyclists share the road. Street car tracks run the length of 10th Street.
Notes
Postcard was manufactured by T.B. [Tichnor Brothers, Inc., 1908-1987] Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The International Peace Garden is situated on the international border between Manitoba and North Dakota, adjacent to the Canadian Border Services Boissevain port of entry and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency's Dunseith port of entry. The dedication for the International Peace Garden was held on July 14, 1932. It was estimated that 50,000 people were in attendance on opening day. The park is 9.5-square kilometers or 3.54-square miles.
Custodial History
Pictures were sent to Fred McGuinness in 1970 from E.M. Bergson of Brandon.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the crowded parking lot at the International Peace Garden's 1932 dedication ceremony. People mill amongst the automobiles and tents can be seen in the background.
Notes
The back of the photograph is stamped: Enameloid Velox Print by the Jul 27 1932, Chicago Postal Photo Supplies, Regina, Sask.
Fred McGuinness is popularly known for his work as the prairie essayist for CBC Radio’s Morningside with Peter Gzowski, a position he held for 17 years. Many of McGuinness’ Morningside essays were autobiographical in nature. He often reported about life on Christmas Tree Farm, a section of land where he and his wife, Christine, built their dream home in the late 1970s. The couple planted a Christmas tree farm on the property and Christine maintained an extensive kitchen garden, while Fred tended honey bees. Life on the farm made its way into radiobroadcasts, Neighborly News columns, and the book "Letters from Section 17: A Collection of Morningside Essays" (Winnipeg: Great Plains Publishing, 1999).
Scope and Content
Set consists of 8 negatives showing a delivery of saplings to the McGuinness property, Christmas Tree Farm, Section 17
Image submitted to Fred McGuinness by T. Horobin of Brandon
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man, perhaps an engineer standing next to a Brandon Municipal Railway car covered in snow. A Brandon Municipal Railway token/tag is affixed to the image.
Postcard shows a street scene of Donald Street looking south from the Portage Avenue Intersection.
Notes
Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Aug 9, Dear ruth, Aunt Eva, Aunt Annie and Fred were over to the bowlnig greens tonight. Every one fine. Doddy. Postcard is addressed to Ruth McGuinness, 337-17th St., Brandon, Man. Postmarked: Winnipeg 12 PM Aug 10 1927 Man.
Mary Emma McIntosh (nee Graham) was born on April 21, 1906 on 36-12-15 SW. She attended Kennedy district school, Wellwood Consolidated School and Brandon Normal School. A teacher from 1927-1931, she married George Herbert "Herb" McIntosh (1909-1993) on October 4, 1929. They farmed in the Carberry area and together they had five children: Yvonne, Gwen, Linda, Muriel and Ian. Mary and Herb were both community minded. Mary ran for political office, was involved in the Manitoba Farmers Union, serving as Women's president, and sat on the Carberry/North Cypress library board. Mary McIntosh died on March 21, 1990 on the farm in the Harte district.
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 Mary McIntosh about her earlier life and experiences as a rural teacher. Interviewer is Isla Kennedy.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Carberry local history "People of the Big Plains." Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Mary Milroy (nee?) was born on May 29, 1913 in Camboise, England. Her first husband died in England. Mary married George Smith Milroy (1914-2001) and in 1946, she and her daughter Betty from her first marriage, came to Elkhorn, MB, where George was from. Mary and George had four children together: Margaret, Lillian, George and Cynthia. Mary was a devoted homemaker, who spent some time working as a cook for railway gangs. She enjoyed serving in community and church organizations, including the Legion. Mary Milroy died on November 1, 1995 in Elkhorn, MB. She is buried at Elkhorn Cemetery.
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 recording containing an interview with Mary Milroy about her life in Elkhorn as a warbride from 1946. Interviewer is Rosalyn Sutley
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Milroy's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Mary Smigelsky Rauliuk (nee Birin) was born on April 4, 1901 at Oakburn, MB. She was the eldest daugher of John & Anna Birin (Bartoszewski), who came to Canada around 1899 from Austria. The Birin's were Polish speaking. The family moved to Brandon around 1901 and lived in the North End, where John bought and farmed land in the "flats."
Mary grew up in Brandon, attending St. Michael's Academy and Park School. She married Paul Smigelsky (1896-1966) around 1921, and together they had a daughter, Jean. For many years Mary was employed by A.E. McKenzie Seeds Ltd. She and her husband also operated Paul's Grocery store for over 25 years. Following the death of her first husband, Mary married Caister Nicholas Rauliuk (1904-1971). Mary was an active member of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. Mary Rauliuk died on April 27, 1990 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemtery.
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 Mary Rauliuk about pioneers Mr. & Mrs. John Birin. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for Mary Rauliuk, Paul Smigelsky and John Birin. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Given to Fred McGuinness by George Creighton, 1980?
Scope and Content
Photograph shows two men seated in a sleigh pulled by two oxen. Behind the men is a wooden building with a M.H. & L Co. Ltd. sign on its side.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: 7.3.80. file family letters. picture of dad's store at Hamiota. M.H.& L. > Manitoba Hardware & Lumber Co. George Creighton gave me this. McG.
Mary Elizabeth Edwards (nee Tweed) was born on April 19, 1897 at Riceville, ON. Within a year of her birth, she and her mother came to Manitoba, to join her father who had already moved west. Mary attended Burns School and then Winnipeg Normal School, graduating in 1917. Over the course of her career she taught at a number of schools, including Otter, Medora, Purple Hill , Thirlstone, Broomhill, Lake Max and Whitewater schools. On January 7, 1920, Mary married Kestle Henry Edwards (1894-1974) in Medora, MB and together the couple had four children: Harvey, Frank, Ralph and Ruth. The family lived on section 35-3-25. Mary was secretary-treasurer of both the Medora Methodist Sunday School and the Royal Templars, taught sunday school and sang in the choir before her marriage. In 1920, she joined the Home Economics Society (later the Women's Institute). She was also a member of the WA. Following her husband's death, Mary left the farm and moved into Medora. Mary Edwards died in 1994. She is buried at Roselawn Cemetery.
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 Mary Edwards about her life and pioneer settlement around Medora, MB. The interviewer is Mayme Warren.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Medora local history "Glimpse through the years" and Edwards' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Gladys Mary Sharpe (nee Brown) was born on September 10, 1913 at Basswood, MB. She obtained her nurses traning at Brandon and Winnipeg, and worked as an RN from 1938 to 1978. Gladys married Harvey Robert Sharpe (1910-2001) on November 23, 1939, and the couple lived on the Sharpe farm with Harvey's parents, Robert Thom Crawford (1881-1956) and Josie Madeline (nee Hardy) (1880-?). Gladys and Harvey had no children. Gladys Sharpe died on August 1, 2008 in Minnedosa, MB.
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 Gladys Sharpe about hospitals in Minnedosa. Interviewer is Mae Johnson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the local history "Minnedosa Valley Views II," Ancestry.com, and the Find A Grave website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Mary Jane "Jean" McDonald Cosgrove (nee ?) was born on April 9, 1892 at Langside near Lucknow, ON. Her family came to Manitoba in 1903, where they lived at Reston for five years before settling in Tilston. Jean attended school in both locations, then worked at the post office and as a telephone switchboard operator, then in Eaton's of Winnipeg before marriang Alexander Grant "AG" Cosgrove (1896-1965) on March 1, 1922 in Brandon. Together they had two sons, Douglas Grant and Kenneth. The Cosgrove's farmed at Lyleton for five years before returning to the Tilston farm. From 1929-1932 they operateda boarding house. In 1933, the couple purchased a British American (BA) Service Station and Tea Room in Oak Lake, where they were also agents for Greyhousnd Bus Lines. They retired and moved to Brandon in 1964, for health reasons. In Brandon, Jean lived at Princess Towers and then Central Park Lodge.
Jean was always active in the community. She was a Passt Noble Grand of the Rebekah's and received her Life Membership Certificate from Crocus Lodge No. 8, Virden. She enjoyed golfing, curling and bridge. After the Second World War, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion in Oak Lake. She was a long time member of the United Church. Jean Cosgrove died on January 13, 1990 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemtery.
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 Mary Jane Cosgrove about pioneer stories from 1892. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Cosgrove's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Foxing on matting and photograph, primarily along edges of photograph
Custodial History
Mona McKinnon (nee Corkish) gave photograph to Colleen McGuinness who, in turn, gave it to her father, Fred McGuinness in 2007.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Mrs. Scott's residence in Kemnay, Manitoba. Members of the family along with two horse-drawn buggies are clearly visible along the front of the house. A possbile church appears to the right of the house in the background.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Margaret Brown Scott, Mother in law to, Frank McGee Sr.
