File consists of correspondence, minutes, capital and ongoing budgets for the Day Care Centre for Brandon, a presentation for the City Council of Brandon from the Committee for a Day Care Centre for Brandon.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 4: Office of the Vice-President
4.2 Office of the Vice-President (Administration & Finance)
Box 7
The Brandon College and Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee was active from 1960 to 1972. The Committee was established to promote the visual arts in Brandon through education and to sponsor exhibitions featuring the work of local artists.
Custodial History
The records were assembled by Robert Inch of the Brandon University Extension Office and Professor D.V. Reilly, who taught art through the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. They were donated to the McKee Archives in 1997.
Scope and Content
The sub-series contains records of past exhibitions, minutes and correspondence of the Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee. Sub-series also contains personal files on some artists consisting of correspondence and information pertaining to exhibitions of their work. There are also extensive files on past exhibits including advertising, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications and files concerning local affiliated art clubs, such as the Student Camera Club at Brandon University.
In celebration of Brandon's 125th Birthday, the McKee Archives organized the photo exhibit "Wonder City of the Northwest," on display from June 28 until the end of August 2007 in the Curve Gallery, located on the second level of BU's John E. Robbins Library. The photographs in the exhibit marked various passages in the history of Brandon from 1882 to the beginning of the Great War in 1914. A special opening for "Wonder City of the Northwest," sponsored by the President's Office, was held on Thursday, June 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Curve Gallery.
Custodial History
Contents of the file were created during the process of organizing and curating the Wonder City of the Northwest exhibit.
Scope and Content
File consists of all bids made on the photographic prints in the exhibit, the silent auction form, research gathered for the information boards (including sections of Steen and Boyce's book on Brandon)
Notes
Correspondence and budget records related to the exhibit are held in the annual correspondence and budget files.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
8.2 S.J. McKee Archives
Two of the photos (Martin Johns and Freshie Week) are coming away from the backing board.
History / Biographical
The photographs in the exhibit were selected by Christy Henry from the Brandon University photograph collection, the Clark Hall scrapbooks, the Arend Visser collection, the Lois and Gordon Daly fonds and the Frances Percival (nee Fraser) fonds. The photos were selected to compliment slate art pieces created by Barb Flemington that were used in the same exhibit. The goal was to select photos that would reference the relationship between the slate, the buildings and the students and faculty who lived and learned at Brandon College. Henry also tried to choose images that were dynamic enough to hopefully stand on their own in addition to supporting Flemington's work. The exhibit was mounted on the Tommy McLeod Curve Gallery in the John E. Robbins Library from December 1, 2008 to January 12, 2009. A closing reception was held at the Tommy McLeod Curve Gallery on January 9, 2009.
Custodial History
Photographs used in the exhibit are housed in the McKee Archives. The reproductions were made by Brandon Photographics and the mounting was done by Frame Ups.
Scope and Content
Consists of the ten photographic reproductions (mounted on foam board) used for the translate exhibit.
Notes
Description by Christy Henry.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
8.2 S.J. McKee Archives
8.2.4 Archival displays
In 1970, the Department of Extension was divided into the Department of Extension (Non-Credit) and the Department of Extension (Credit). In 1974, the two departments were amalgamated into the Department of Extension (Credit and Non-Credit). The department's name was changed again in 1977, when it became the Department of Continuing Education (Credit and Non-Credit).
In 1986, the Office of Continuing Education and Summer Session was renamed the Office of Extension with responsibility for non-credit offerings, distance eduation and off-campus credit courses. From 1999 to the 2001-2003 calendar, Kathleen Matheos, the last Director of Extension, is listed as the Director of the Education Technology Unit. After the 2001-2003 calendar, the Department of Extension became part of Campus Manitoba.
DIRECTORS OF EXTENSION:
R.B. INCH - Extension (1967-1969) and Extension (Non-Credit) (1970-1971)
George Robert Boyer Inch, more commonly known as R.B. Inch, was born in 1903 in Oak Point, New Brunswick. His father, James Nathaniel Inch, was a local shopkeeper and served as town postmaster. James Inch married Phoebe Elizabeth Inch (nee Boyer), a native of Hartland, New Brunswick. While working in Ontario between 1939 and 1939, R.B. Inch met and married Elizabeth Gowling of Ottawa. The couple had two children; a son named George and a daughter named Jeanne. Elizabeth Inch (nee Gowling) passed away in 1956.
R.B. Inch was educated first at Mount Allison Academy in Sackville, New Brunswick. He later went on to study at Mount Allison University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924. After graduating, Inch traveled to western Canada looking for employment in his chosen field of journalism. From 1924-1926 Inch was unable to find a job in the newspapers so he subsisted by teaching classes at Mount Royal College in Calgary and attending lessons at the Calgary Normal School. In June 1926, the Calgary Herald, then known as the Calgary Albertan, hired Inch as a regular journalist. He stayed in that position in Calgary for two years. Inch later accepted a job with the Winnipeg Free Press, where he worked from 1928-1929.
In 1929, Inch accepted a position with the National Research Council in Ottawa as Secretary to the President and information officer. Between 1929 and 1933 he also volunteered as editor of the magazine "Interdependence," the official publication of the League of Nations Society in Canada. In 1935, Inch resigned his post at the National Research Council to become the National Secretary of the League of Nations Society in Canada. There he served until the collapse of the League at the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
In 1942, Inch was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to prepare a series of programs entitled "Of Things to Come - Inquiry on the Post-War World." In 1943, Inch joined the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, but never saw action in Europe. After the war, Inch was hired by his alma mater, Mount Allison University, to serve as Director of Alumni and Public Relations. He remained in Sackville from July 1945 through to 1967. In July 1967, Inch was hired by Brandon University as the Director of Extension and as a political science lecturer.
After retiring in 1972, Inch was active in the formation of the Canadian branch of Amnesty International. He would later become National Director Emeritus of the organization.
R.B. Inch died in Brandon, Manitoba on January 7, 1983.
H.S. PERDUE - Extension (Credit) (1970-1971)
Dr. Henry Stewart Perdue was born in 1904 near Souris, Manitoba. He graduated from Souris Collegiate in 1920. After working several odd jobs, Perdue entered Brandon College in 1924. He graduated with his B.A. in 1928. After graduation, Perdue was hired as a teacher in the Academic Department. He received his M.A. in 1930, and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Chicago. In 1930, Perdue became the Director of the Matriculation Department, as well as an Instructor in Geology. In 1931, he took over the position of Resident Master. In 1937, he married Ella May Higgens, who was the Resident Nurse. From 1938 until 1948, Perdue acted as Registrar of Brandon College.
In 1947, Perdue accepted the position on College Dean. This position ran until 1952, when it was changed to the position of Dean of Arts and Science. Perdue also held this position until 1962, when the office separated into the Dean of Arts and the Dean of Science. Perdue continued in the position of Dean of Science until 1967. After Dr. Evans' death in July of 1959, Perdue became acting President. He held this position from August 1959 until August 1960, when Dr. Robbins was appointed President. Perdue held the position of Director of Extension (Credit) from 1970-1971. He retired from teaching Geology in 1973. Dr. Perdue died on December 22, 1979 at the age of 75.
EVAN H. PEPPER - Extension (Credit) (1972-1974)
Evan H. Pepper was born in Windsor, Ontario. He received his BSc in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Detroit and his MSc and PhD from Michigan State University in the same fields. Pepper also attended the Henry Ford Trade School, the United States Brewer's Academy (Brewing Technology) and the Ryerson Institute (Instrictional Technology). In 1945-1946 he served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, and from 1954-1956, in the U.S. Army.
From 1960-1962, Pepper was a technical coordinator for Ladish Malting Co. He began his academic career in 1962 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University, leaving that position in 1967. From 1967-1988, he was an Associate Professor, and later a Professor (1971-1988) in the Department of Botany at Brandon University.
While at Brandon University, Pepper served on the Brandon University Senate, the Senate Executive Committee, the Extension Committee, the University Act Committee and the Senate By-Laws Revision Committee. He was also assigned as a liaison to Inter-Universities North (IUN) and helped to design the RN/RPN program (1970). Pepper's administrative duties included Director of Credit Extension, Director and designer of the FOCUS program and Chair of the Botany Department. In addition, he also taught, designed and developed several courses for the Biology and Botany Departments at Brandon University.
Evan Pepper retired in 1988. He died on March 27, 2013.
R. BRUCE MCFARLANE - Extension (Non-Credit) (1972-1973); Extension (Credit and Non-Credit) (1974-1976); Continuing Education (Credit and Non-Credit) (1977-1986); and Extension - acting (1990)
No biographical information yet.
B. WESTFALL - Extension (1987-1989)
Beth Westfall was born in Birmingham, England. Her undergraduate degree in European Studies was obtained from the University of Sussex; she recieved her Master's Degree in German from the University of British Columbia and her Ed.D. in adult education from Nova University.
Westfall came to Brandon University in January 1987, as the Director of Extension. Prior to that time she a director on a regional campus on the College of New Caledonia in British Columbia. She also had extensive experience in teaching basic adult education and English as a second language, and in facilitating women's support groups and communication skills workshops.
In September 1989, Westfall became Brandon University's Dean of Student Services. See RG 6, series 12 (Student Services) for additional biographical information.
K. MATHEOS (1990 - 1997/1998)
Kathleen Matheos was appointed Director of the Office of Extension for a five year term effective September 1, 1990. Prior to coming to Brandon University, she was the Agricultural Distance Education Coordinator/Community Programs Division at Assiniboine Community College. In 1999, Matheos' title was changed to Director of the Education Technology Unit and ca. 2003 the Office of Extension was absorbed into Campus Manitoba. Matheos left Brandon University some time thereafter, and currently (January 2006) works for the Department of Extension at the University of Saskatchewan.
Scope and Content
The series is divided into four sub series, including: (1) General files; (2) FOCUS; (3) Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee; and (4) Publications.
Notes
History/Bio information was taken from Brandon University calendars and an article in "The Quill" (January 9, 1986). Biographical information on R.B. Inch was taken from the finding aid for the R.B. Inch collection written by Matthew Palmer (2003). Biographical information on H.S. Perdue was taken from the "Brandon College finding aid" prepared by Karyn Riedel for McKee Archives in 1998. Biographical information for Evan H. Pepper was taken from his resume (given to the Archives in 2006). History/Bio information for Kathleen Matheos was taken from Campus News - July/August 1990.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Related Material
Additional material on R.B. Inch is located in MG 3 1.8 R.B. Inch collection.
Clark Hall was built in 1906 as a women’s residence. The name comes from Dr. C.W. Clark, a physician who believed that women should be as highly educated as possible. To that end, he donated $30 000 of the $40 000 dollars needed to construct the building. The residence opened on October 18, 1906 with Miss Ernestine R. Whiteside presiding as Lady Principal.
With the building of Clark Hall came new departments geared towards young women. A Music and Arts department was started, as was a Physical Culture and Expression department. The residence was soon full, and in 1911 the first Clark Hall Annex was created to house 25 women who could not get into Clark Hall proper. This annex was located at 1335 Lorne Ave., and it is still in existence today. The second Clark Hall Annex, that replaced the first, was located on Louise Ave. It is also still standing, and is now an apartment building.
LADY PRINCIPALS/DEAN OF WOMEN:
ERNESTINE ROBERTA WHITESIDE (1906-1918)
Miss Whiteside was born in 1876. She graduated from McMaster University in 1898. In 1906 she was hired as the first Lady Principal of Clark Hall. She served this post capably and was greatly admired by all who met her. In 1918 she resigned as Lady Principal to assume headship of Moulton College in Toronto. She resigned from Moulton in 1930 due to uncertain health. Miss Whiteside was a Board Member of the Women’s Baptist Missionary Society, as well as being editor of “The Link and Visitor”. She was the corresponding secretary for the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada from 1939 to 1949. Miss Whiteside resigned the editorship of “The Link and Visitor” in 1956. On June 14, 1960, she died in Toronto.
OLIVE A.C. WILKINS (1919-1925)
Olive Agnes Cross was born on June 17, 1891 in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. She received her B.A. from McMaster in 1912. She married Thomas Russell Wilkins on June 17, 1913. Mrs. Wilkins accepted the position of Lady Principal of Clark Hall in 1919. She also was retained as an English Teacher. Mrs. Wilkins resigned in 1925. On May 13, 1937, she died rather suddenly. Mrs. Wilkins personal files are located in the Brandon College Teaching and Administration series.
JANE (JENNIE) TURNBULL (1926-1927)
Jennie Turnbull was born c.1896. She was educated at Brandon Central School and the Brandon Collegiate Institute. Miss Turnbull entered Brandon College in 1911. She graduated with her B.A. in 1915, and followed this with her M.A. in 1916. After taking a Normal Course in Regina, Miss Turnbull returned to join the Brandon College faculty as instructor in French in 1918. She studied at La Sorbonne in Paris during the years 1921 and 1922. Miss Turnbull spent parts of 1919, 1920, 1926, and all of 1927 and 1928 at the University of Chicago, where she secured her Ph.D. During the school year 1926-1927, Miss Turnbull served as Dean of Women (formerly known as Lady Principal). She was a very well-travelled individual, and she was the author of Essential Traits of French-Canadian Poetry. In 1963 Miss Turnbull moved to British Columbia, where she died on December 30, 1966. During the time that Miss Turnbull taught at Brandon College, she was an integral part of the college community. She was responsible for the formation of a French Club, and served on various committees and boards with great skill.
ANNIE (EVANS) WRIGHT (1927-1934)
Miss Annie Evans was born on December 29, 1881 in Derbyshire, England. She moved with her family to Canada around 1889. She taught school before entering the Brandon College Business Training Department in 1908. In 1909, Miss Evans was given a position in the Business and Academic Department of the College. In 1915, she married the music professor, Dr. William L. Wright. In 1926, Mrs. Wright received her B.A. degree from Brandon College. She followed that with her M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1927. From 1927 until 1934, Mrs. Wright served as the Dean of Women. From 1927 until 1945, she was employed as a professor of English. She moved to Robson, B.C. with her husband, where she lived until her death in 1959. She was the older sister of Dr. J.R.C. Evans.
DOROTHY WERTHENBACH (1934-1935)
Miss Werthenbach received her early education in Minnesota and Saskatchewan and graduated from the University of Alberta with Honours in History. She took up the profession of teaching. She was an instructor at the Indian Residential School before she accepted the position of Dean of Women in the fall of 1934. She also taught grade 12 History at the College. Miss Werthenbach left Brandon College in 1935, after having spent one year as the Dean of Women. From 1931-1934 she served on the Executive of the Brandon Art Club, including a year as President (1933-1934). At some point after leaving Brandon, Miss Werthenbach married C.G. Nelson and relocated to Calgary. She and her husband had three, possibly four children. Mrs. Nelson died in a plane crash at Moose Jaw.
MARJORIE B. MCKENZIE (1935-1936)
Miss McKenzie was born in Brandon and was a graduate of Brandon Collegiate and Brandon College. She received her B.E. degree from the Columbia College of Expression in Chicago, and her M.Sc. in speech from Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. From 1927 to 1930 she was Instructor in Dramatic Art at Brandon College. She resigned to do post-graduate work. In 1935, Miss McKenzie returned as Instructor of Public Speaking in the Theological Department and Dean of Women in Clark Hall. Miss McKenzie resigned as Dean of Women after one year at the post.
SARAH PERSIS DARRACH (1936-1953)
Miss Persis Johnson was born in Rosscarberry, Ireland on February 8, 1886. She was educated in both Ireland and Canada, graduating from the Brandon General Hospital nurses program in 1911. She did her postgraduate work in Chicago. Miss Johnson was the assistant matron at Brandon General Hospital when she left for overseas in 1914 to serve in the war. Miss Johnson enlisted in the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force on May 12, 1915 in London, England. She was overseas until 1918, stationed in both England and France. While there, Miss Johnson was awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd class, and the Royal Red Cross, 1st class, the latter of which was awarded to her in 1919 by the Prince of Wales during his visit to Brandon. She became the fourth superintendent of nurses at Brandon General Hospital. Sometime during the 1920’s, Miss Johnson married Robert Darrach, who was on the Brandon College Board of Directors. In 1934, she was named a member of the Order of the British Empire (Civilian) for her tireless effort doing charity work. In 1936 she accepted the position of Dean of Women at Brandon College. She served in this post until 1953. In 1971, Brandon College awarded her an honourary L.L.D. Darrach Hall, the Men’s Residence on the Brandon University campus, was named for her. Mrs. Darrach died on September 25, 1974.
FLORA COWAN (1953-1967)
Mrs. Flora Cowan was born on July 15, 1902 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the daughter of Adam and Helen Cruickshank. She married E.C. Cowan, and they had two children, Franklin and Ruth. From 1953 until Brandon College became Brandon University, she served as the Dean of Women. In 1966 she received the good Citizenship Award of the Golden Boys of Manitoba. She was a member of the I.O.D.E. and a life-member of the International Peace Garden, and the Provincial Council of Women. From 1954 to 1970 Mrs. Cowan served as a member of the Brandon City Council. She was also the Chairman of the Board for Fairview Home, Inc. In 1967, Mrs. Cowan received the Trillium Business and Professional Club Woman of the Year Award. She was also a member of several other community committees. The women’s residence at Brandon University, Flora Cowan, is named for her. In December 1980, Mrs. Cowan finally retired from her many positions. She died in Brandon on September 25, 1986 at the age of 84.
Scope and Content
The records from this series are mainly concentrated in the early years of Clark Hall. Miss Whiteside kept several journals that depict a very in-depth look at college life for young women in the early twentieth century. These records include: a Commonplace book, in which Miss Whiteside kept detailed accounts of the resident women and what was happening in Clark Hall; a “Saturday” book, which describes what she discussed at the meeting she held with the resident women every Saturday; Scrapbooks, which have programs and pictures detailing the everyday life of a College woman. These records are an invaluable source of information on the education of young women at the turn of the century. As well, Mrs. Wilkins files located in the Brandon College Teaching and Learning files give an excellent account of life at Clark Hall.
The series also contains copies of Clark Hall calendars for 1909-1925. There is also one undated calendar, which may be from 1911-1912.
Notes
The original accession number for the Clark Hall calendars is RP80-45. A copy of the program for the memorial service held at First Baptist Church October 1974 for Sarah Persis Darrach is located in her biography file in the Reading Room.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Related Material
MG 1 1.9 Sarah Persis Darrach fonds
Maureen Johnson collection (10-2009)
Accession 0104 Brandon University Art Collection, portrait of C.W. Clark M.D. painted by Henrietta Hancock. The portrait currently hangs in the McKee Archives. A brief biographical note concerning Clark appears with the portrait.
Arrangement
Series has been divided into four sub-series, including: (1) Clark Hall commonplace book, saturday book and chronicle; (2) Clark Hall scrapbooks 1907-1953; (3) Clark Hall calendars 1909 -1925; and (4) Clark Hall student council minutes 1928-1935
Robert (Bob) Troy Blair was born on March 11, 1930 in Brandon, MB. His first six years were spent in Alexander, MB, where his father and uncle operated a grocery store. In 1936, his family moved to Souris, MB, where his father ran a grocery store. Blair received his primary and high school education, with the exception of Grade 12, in Souris.
Blair remembers his school years in Souris as mainly happy years. He was involved with both piano and organ music lessons. he was never interested in physical sports with the exception of golf. World War II broke out in September of 1939. Souris became the site of #17 SFTS and home base for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Many of the service men came from England, Australia and New Zealand. Blair's mother always entertained at least two for dinner every Sunday. Rationing of sugar, tea and coffee, butter and meat became a way of life. Blair had the job every Saturday of pasting the ration coupons into booklets. It was also when he was in Grade 6, that Blair realized he was more attracted to boys than to girls. Perhaps it was because so many attractive airmen surrounded him!
In November of 1947, the Blair family relocated to Alexander where Bob Blair finished his Grade 11. This was not a good year due to bullying. In September of 1948, Blair moved to Winnipeg to attend United College for his Grade 12. Upon completion of Grade 12, Blair remained in Winnipeg until June 1950. he worked at a number of businesses - Gestetner, Eaton's Mail Order shoe department, Maple Leaf Milling, and the drug store in the Medical Arts Building. In September 1950, he entered Brandon College. Blair was very active in extra-curricular affairs while at Brandon College; particularly drama. Following his B.A. he enrolled in the Education Faculty, having decided to become a teacher.
Blair's teaching career spanned 34 years. All but one year was spent in the Brandon School Division. On his first day of teaching in the Division he met the man with whom he would spend the next 46 years. He was primarily a teacher of English and Music. A highlight of his career was exchange teaching in Sacramento, California in 1961. Orientation for exchange took place in August in Washington, D.C., where Blair had the opportunity to meet President J.F. Kennedy. He vividly recals the morning that JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963. In September 1965, Blair assumed the principalship of Park School and in September of 1969, the same position at George Fitton School where re remained until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Brandon Picnipals' Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and servedas President of the Brandon Teachers' Association. Among his major accomplishments during his time as principal were the introduction of a centralized school library in both Park and George Fitton Schools and the integration of special needs students into regular classroom situations wherever possible. He was made a Life Member of the Manitoba Teachers' Society (Brandon) in June 1990. Following his retirement Blair worked as a Library Automation Consultant (1989-1993).
Blair also had numerous community involvements during his time in Brandon. he was active in the Brandon Little Theatre (Best Actor Award, Manitoba Drama Festival for One Act Plays in 1963), the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition, and Arm Industries to name a few.
Following the death of his partner in 2001, Blair moved to Saskatoon to live with a younger gay couple. He has been active in volunteerism: as an Ambassador for the Saskatoon Airport Authority, assistant with the Saskatoon Health Region's Immunization Clinics, information clerk for the Festival of Trees, data entry clerk for the Saskatoon Music Festival, on the Board of the Saskatoon Jazz Society, and Hospitality Coordinator for the Saskatoon Jazz Festival.
Robert Troy Blair died on July 2, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK. He is buried in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were in Blair's possession until he donated them to the Mckee Archives on Homecoming weekend October 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two scrapbooks containing 145 photographs and ephemera (play and graduation programs, tickets, pins, newspaper clippings) documenting Bob Blair's days at Brandon College. Social events and extra-curricular activities are heavily featured in the two scrapbooks. Also included are graduation portraits for the Classes of 1951, 1952 and 1953. Of the 145 photographs all are black and white except for two photos of the Class of '53 reconvocation (May 1993), and one from the Class of '53 reunion (2003).
Bertha Miriam Clark was born on Prince Edward Island but attended public and high school in Brandon, MB. She was a member of the Class of 1929 and served as Lady Stick in her final year at Brandon College.
Clark married J. Scott Leith, Brandon College Class of 1928. Scott and Bertha Leith's son James Clark Leith is in the Canadian Who's Who.
Custodial History
Album was sent to Pat Britton, Brandon University Director of Alumni Relations, by Bertha Leith in April 1991. Britton then transferred it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small accordian style photograph album (7 x 10.5 x 3.5 cm) created by Bertha Clark during her years at Brandon College. The photographs, which measure 4" x 2.75", depict numerous people and events.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the 1928-1929 Sickle.
