Fred McGuinness was a sessional lecturer in the English Department at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba where he co-taught an introductory undergraduate course in journalism with English Professor John Blaikie. Although McGuinness had 30 years experience as a journalist, editor, publisher, and freelance writer, as well as an extensive public speaking career, the partnering was necessary because he did not have a graduate degree, a qualification necessary for teaching in a university setting. In addition to his professional experience, McGuinness was also an avid reader on topics about the process of writing and the publishing of popular writing.
McGuinness likely began teaching his journalism course at Brandon University in 1983 and continued until 1990, possibly 1996. McGuinness often referenced his class when writing his Neighborly News column. A portion of McGuinness’ course involved analyzing and debating current events from newspaper headlines. McGuinness emphasized the importance of clean copy, spelling, and grammar with his editing assignments.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and sessional instructor. 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 contains records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his time as a sessional instructor and writer. Consisting of teaching materials McGuinness used in the undergraduate course he taught with Professor John Blaikie the subseries includes: lecture notes, quizzes, exercises, exams, and newspaper and magazine articles.
Notes
Information for the history/biography was obtained from documents in the BU journalism course subseries (McG 6.2), and his Neighborly News columns (McG 2.3)
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible materials pertaining to his teaching career may be found in other subseries of the Fred McGuinness collection. Several articles McGuinness wrote for Neighborly News referenced his BU journalism students (see McG 2.3)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to publication period
The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Parade Day was held on Thursday, July 19, 1962, at 9:30 a.m. The local newspaper reported that approximately 24,000 people were in attendance to see parade marshall Rod Ashburner leading 175 entries consisting of 90 floats, 75 horses, and 10 bands. There were 19 parade categories eligible for $12,000 in prize money and included: junior and senior cowboys and cowgirls; fancy and Shetland ponies; sulky class open; comic, commercial, industrial and organizational floats; decorated cars; special ranch class; 4-H Clubs; and a non-competitive class.
The parade route started at Second St. and Allowance Ave., from Second St. to Ash Ave., north on Ash to First St. SE., from First St. S.E. to Fourth Ave., south to Second St. to South Railway St., south on South Railway St. to Third St., with a finish at McLeod Trail. A route map was published in the Medicine Hat News the day before the parade.
Aerial photographs of the parade were taken by Medicine Hat News photographer Howard Heid (1930-2005) from the private helicopter of John Bourn. Bourn was a pilot from Woodville, Wisconsin, who chartered his four-seater helicopter for sight-seers at exhibitions and stampedes across the county.
(Sources: Pat Currie, "Let 'Er Go!," Medicine Hat News, 19 July 1962,1; Harald Gunderson, "'Eye in the Sky' Best Parade View," Medicine Hat News, 19 July 1962,1; "Parade Starts at 9:30 Sharp," 18 July 1962)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows an aerial view of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Parade route with a focus on the First Street SE and Sixth Avenue intersection. A number of gas stations and garages are visible along this route and include Texaco, Shell, Ford, and B/A. A number of observers can be seen sitting on rooftops.
Notes
This photograph shows the neighbourhood before rezoning and commercial development.
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Mrs. Marian Gray of Brandon, September 13, 1978.
Scope and Content
Postcard shows the West End Park (also known as Stanley Park) and Park School. The school was situated on the southwest corner of Lorne Avenue. A couple of residences surround the school. Walking paths, a park bench, and a gazebo/grandstand can be seen in the park.
Notes
Front of postcard reads: Published for Christie's Book Store, Brandon, Man., 6350. Back of postcard reads: Canadian Souvenir Post Card, Warwick Brothers & Rutter, Limited, Printers, Toronto. The postcard is addressed to Miss Isabella Heastwell of Broderick, Saskatchewan, and is dated July 14, 1910.
Postcard has two thumb tack holes in its corners, bottom left corner is creased, face of one student is blotted out.
History / Biographical
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class photograph of the 1906-1907 Central School Grade 5? class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and boots. Most of the boys are wearing suits and ties.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Allena Coombs, 1906-1907. All the students' names are listed. The class teacher is identified as Miss [Nettie?] Harrison.
Given to Fred McGuinness by Stewart Tait (1912-1988) of Brandon.
Scope and Content
Photograph is an outdoor class picture of young students standing on the front steps of what appears to be Park School.
Notes
Mr. Tait provided Fred McGuinness with a photocopy of the photograph (see McG 1.2, file 19) on which he identified a number of students in his class, including: first/front row - Miss Fleming (fourth from right); second row - Stan Fraser (first from left), Stewart Tait (second on left), Mrs. Ron Relf (nee Stock?) (fourth on left); third row - Ed Bolton (fourth from left), G. Cranston (fifth from left), Ed McGill (offset, above G. Cranston), Mary McGregor, daughter of C.C. McGregor (third from right)
Photograph shows a large group of junior boys many wearing shirts and ties posing for a picture in a school gymnasium. Two boys hold a trophy.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Webster Hiblock Junior Soft Ball Team Winners of Medicine Hat City Championship. Left to right are: Top row, Bruce Rae, Brian Heller Allen Browne, Gary Smith, Byron Kohls, Mr. J. Crane?. Bottom row: Douglas Gerber, Clayton Hirsch, Gallagher McGuinness, Billy Holden, Brian Crandell, Milton Klaudt, Kenneth Bix
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard is an outdoor class photograph of the 1909-1910 Central School Grade 8 class. The girls are wearing dresses and the boys suits and ties. School principal, Bedford A. Tingley, lays in front of the class.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VIII, Teacher, B.A. Tingely [sic.], Allena Coombs
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class picture of the 1908-1909 Central School Grade 7 class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and bows in their hair. The boys are wearing suits and ties. Teacher Naomi Moore stands to the right of the class.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VII, Teacher, Naomi Moore, Allena Coombs, 1908-1909.
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class photograph of the 1907-1908 Central School Grade 6 class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and the boys are wearing suits and ties.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VI, Allena Coombs, 1907-1908.
Photograph sent to Fred McGuinness from Leila McDiarmid Leck of Mission, BC, on 08 Feb 1983 in response to his Park School column (see F.A. Rosser, “Sunbeams – Park School reminiscences from a far away friends, Brandon Sun 25 Jan 1983)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of young boys posing for a picture in a school yard. Back row: Doug Barr, Bob Russel, Stan Wilkins, Murray Bowen, Rae McKenzie and Bob Epton. Middle row: Jimp Thompson, doug Jameison, Bill Beaton, Harold Barker and Harry Munroe. Front Row: Ted Tracy, Jim Richardson, Wilkie Collins, Clifford Kitson and Glen Speers.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Photograph is stamped: Crawford's Drug Store Brandon Tru-Tone Finish? Names of boys obtained from correspondence dated 08 Feb 1983 to Fred McGuinness from Leia McDiarmid Leck.
Photograph sent to Fred McGuinness from Leila McDiarmid Leck of Mission, BC, on 08 Feb 1983 in response to his Park School column (see F.A. Rosser, “Sunbeams – Park School reminiscences from a far away friends, Brandon Sun 25 Jan 1983)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of co-ed students standing on a sidwalk between two railings. Students have been identified as: Glen Speers, Clifford Kitson, Rae McKenzie, Ellis McLaren, Shirley Lane, Beth (Babs) Kingston, Helen Tackaberry, Mina Collins, Mary Watson, Thelma Brownell, Jean Muirhead [dark head], Mary McDonald, Lorna Lawrence, Leila McDiarmid, Eleanor Wyre [head], Eleanor Sellers, Beth Crawford [head], Margaret Robinson, Florence Roberts, Eileen Muirhead? [head], Beulah Cristal, Marjorie Carruthers, Josephine Hamm [dark head], Dorothy Tinline?, Mary Wgner, Clayton Copp, Bob Epton, Howard Bell, and Anna Roberts in front.
Notes
Signatures of the students are on the back of the photograph. Names of obtained from correspondence dated 08 Feb 1983 to Fred McGuinness from Leia McDiarmid Leck.
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a large group of men, women and children posing in a park. A man in a WWI Canadian uniform is standing in the back row, left-hand side.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Methodist Mission Sunday School Picnic taken in the Assiboine [sic.] Park. 1st 1915. 1915. Mr. Hugh Connolly Minister, Mr. Fred Denstedt, Teacher. Miss Hornbrook, Bible Class teacher. Mr. John Davies, Choir Leader. Mrs. Foreman in the center in dark dress the oldest member & four babies. Mrs. E. Harden, 33-10th Street N., City.