The United Grain Growers, a farmer controlled co-operative elevator association, was established in 1917, with the amalgamation of the Grain Growers Grain Company (1906), and the Alberta Farmer's Co-operative Elevator company (1913). Its original purpose was to provide a co-operative alternative to privately owned grain elevators.
Custodial History
This collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Collection includes copies of correspondence between T.A. Crerar, President of United Grain Growers and Colin Burnell, President, Manitoba Co-operative Wheat Producers (1925-26); correspondence directed to the Shareholders of United Grain Growers (1926-38); minutes of a meeting between representatives of the United Grain Growers and the provincial wheat pools (1937); as well as a variety of publications about the history and activities of the United Grain Growers (1917-18, 1927, 1929, 1951, 1956).
The Franklin Cooperative Elevator Association Ltd was located in Franklin, Manitoba. The association was formed and incorporated on May 19, 1927 under certificate # 68 of the Cooperative Association Act. The first provisional meeting was held on June 27, 1927 with R.A Storey as Chairman and O. Douglas as Secretary. There was a meeting held after the incorporation meeting and the first board of directors was elected on June 28, 1927 with R. A Storey as Chairman and E.A White as Secretary. The cooperative was run by an elected board of directors.
The Franklin Cooperative Elevator Association was a part of the Manitoba Pool Elevators Ltd which was a subsidiary elevator company of the Manitoba Wheat Pool. Manitoba Pool Elevators was incorporated on April 9,1925 with 1,000 000 capitol stocks being sold for $1.00 per share. Manitoba Pool elevators ran on the principal of local ownership through the cooperatives.
The Franklin Cooperative Elevator Association was involved in issues on a local and provincial scale. An example of local concerns was that in October 1948, it is on record that it was a bad crop year with a delayed harvest because of inclement weather. The elevators become plugged up and as a result grain had to be shipped to oppositional elevators. In 1952 the Franklin Cooperative Elevator Association built a forty five thousand bushel annex building and later that year issues arose over cost overages in its construction. The cooperative was also concerned about provincial matters such as on Sept 18, 1952 a strike was arranged by the workers of Manitoba Pool. It was averted when a settlement was reached in Winnipeg.
Custodial History
Records in accession 10-2013, were delivered to the Archives of Manitoba on March 20, 1970 by Bob Douglas, son of Oliver Douglas. Those records were deaccessioned by the Archives of Manitoba in January 2012 and transferred to the McKee Archives later that year. All other records were donated to the McKee Archives by Manitoba Pool Elevators.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of ledger books containing minutes of monthly meetings as well as annual general meetings for the Franklin Co-operative Elevator Association. The first meeting had thirty members in attendance. From incorporation the cooperative had a list of objectives they wanted to accomplish including building or acquiring, and payment of a grain elevator and building documentation. They also needed to be licensed under the Canadian Grain Act. The ledger books also contains a list of bylaws. Records also included membership rosters and contract numbers for shipping grain. Auditor's year-end financial records are also included in the fonds. Attendance records from 1958 to 1963 have been recorded.
Franklin Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1929 - 1961 Certificate of indebtedness, 31 July 1929 Memo re: association, By-laws 8-11, no date Application for share of stock, 31 July 1931 Minutes of Directors meeting, 31 July 1931 Minutes of Shareholders meeting, 31 July 1931 By-law nos. 12 and 13, 31 July 1931 Agreement between Franklin CEA, MPE, Manitoba Wheat Pool and The King, 1 August 1931 By-law no. 14, 12 November 1931 Certificate for one share of stock, 1 December 1931 Letter re: stock acceptance, 14 January 1932 Agreement between Franklin CEA and MPE, 1 February 1933 Special Board of Directors meeting re: By-law no. 15, 16 February 1933 Letter re: By-law no. 14, 18 February 1938 Agreement between MPE and Fraklin CEA, 30 November 1948 Agreement between MPE and Franklin CEA, 1 August 1951 Memo re: above agreement, 13 June 1952 By-law no. 23, 2 November 1951 MPE By-laws 1961-148, 1961-149, 1961-150, 1961-151, 12 October 1961 Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, 1 August 1969 - 10 December 1982 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1967 (13 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1937 - 1955 (15 reports) Final statements, 1934 - 1952 (16 reports) Auditors' reports, 1928 - 1968 (33 reports) Analysis of Operating Results, 1951 - 1963 (9 reports) Review of Operating Results, 1960 - 1966 (5 reports) Detail of grain earnings, 1963 - 1968 (4 reports) Analysis of Operating Results, 1951 - 1952 (5 reports) Statement of grain account and handle, 15 June 1931 Annual financial statement, no date Correspondence, 1927 - 1962 Membership list, 1935 - 1962 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, 1945 - 1959 (8 reports) Directors' attendance lists, 1980 Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Rosedale; local Pool Committee minutes February 21, 1983 - July 4, 1991.
Notes
Administrative history taken from the records. Description by Jill Sutherland (2010) and Barb Manko (October 2013).
Manitoba Pool Elevators was established in 1925 as a subsidiary of the Pool in response to local member complaints about the unfair business practices of privately owned elevators. The Katrime Elevator appears to have been established in 1940; no records in the Manitoba Pool Elevator fonds mention the Katrime elevator before 1940. In 1969 the Katrime Pool joined the Manitoba Pool.
The Katrime local was operated by a board of directors elected from the members of the Katrime elevator. Regular meetings took place sporadically throughout the year, often before and after harvest. An annual meeting for the local took place every November, at which members were chosen for the board of directors and members were selected to attend the annual Manitoba Pool convention. Occasionally in October or in the Annual meetings in November the board of directors would ask the head office to compose a letter to the rail companies to thank them for keeping the elevator supplied with cars throughout the harvest season. This would change through the 1970’s and into the 90’s as congestion became a problem for the railcars.
In 1998 Manitoba Pool Elevators merged with the Alberta Wheat Pool to form Agricore Co-operative Ltd. In 2001, this organization merged with the United Grain Growers to become Agricore United, and in 2007, Agricore United was taken over by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool; the new company was known as Viterra. The fate of the Katrime elevator is unclear. Tthere is no mention in the included records regarding the merger to Agricore or the closing of the elevator.
Custodial History
Records in accession 9-2013, were deposited at the Archives of Manitoba in 1971, with a fourth minute book being deposited in 2011. The records were deaccessioned by the Archives of Manitoba in January 2012 and transferred to the McKee Archives later that year.
Scope and Content
Fonds consist of the minutes of the board of directors of the Katrime elevator. Meetings discussed pool business, including membership into the Katrime elevator co-operation and a list of new members is usually included in the minutes. In addition to membership another main topic of the meetings was the salary of the agent including the agents home and expenses. In 1953, the building of a new elevator, which eventually expanded to include new offices and storage sheds was a topic of discussion. Local annual meetings generally discussed the report of the auditor and any unsold surplus, but no details were recorded. A note on the content of the minutes: there is generally mention of a lengthy discussion of a topic but there is no explanation of what was discussed. Also, at each annual meeting there is a discussion of the annual convention and the resolutions adopted from this convention, however there are no details on what the resolutions were.
Katrime Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1961 Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Westbourne.
Notes
Description by Jill Sutherland (2010) and Clint Howie (October 2013).
The Fairfax/Elgin United Church was formed in 1921, combining the Methodist (founded in 1889), and Presbyterian (founded in 1887) congregations in these communities. In 1968, the Elgin and Souris congregations joined and, in 1969, the original Elgin United Church was sold to the Fairfax Community Club.
Custodial History
The fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains minute books (1922-1968), account books (1953-1970), account statements (1966-68), one annual report (1967), and documents of insurance and property transfer (1960-1970) concerning the Fairfax/Elgin United Church.
Some water stains and dirt around the edges (the writing hasn't been affected). The second page of the Cash book has a program from the 1936 annual sale of pure bred bulls and females at the Winter Fair (Brandon, MB) glued to it.
History / Biographical
Administrative history for the Manitoba Elevator Company is currently unavailable.
Custodial History
Fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a Cash book (April 1890-November 1895) and an Accounts Receivable/Grain Deliveries book (April 1890-December 1895).
File consists of the proposal of the Planning Committee for the organizational structure of Central United Church, Brandon, MB and related reports, minutes, correspondence, tasks and budget information.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 4: Office of the Vice-President
4.2 Office of the Vice-President (Administration & Finance)
Box 5
The importance of knowledge and education to the Manitoba Wheat Pool is made clear in the The Scoop Shovel, the official organ of the Manitoba Wheat Pool and other co-operatives in Manitoba. Established in the 1920s, The Scoop Shovel owed its existence to a decision by the directors of the Pool to set aside small percentage of income per bushel for educational purposes. R.A. Hoey began to hold meetings to discuss the idea that the Pool was about more than just marketing grain, and in 1926 a Department of Education and Publicity was organized within the Pool. It was directed by J.T. Hull and advised by R.A. Hoey; they expanded and supervised The Scoop Shovel.
They also began to accumulate the educational volumes that would become the Pool library. Hull announced in November of 1926 that the library would be open by the end of the month and reported that: "We have a good representation of works on sociology... On co-operation we have about every book that we can find published in the English language. We have also a good selection of books on economics, history, science, general literature, and rural life. In a word, we have tried to make the library one of usefulness to people whose life is on the land."
He also encouraged Pool members--who were the only ones allowed to use the library at this time--to utilize the library to educate themselves, saying “Use it, for knowledge is power”.
Once the library was open to all Pool members, Hull wrote a regular column for The Scoop Shovel called “In the Library”, in which he would review books and recommend reading in response to frequent questions from members. When the library gained new books, which was almost continually, he would list them and sometimes discuss them.
The library service was a mailing one; the main collection was kept at the Manitoba Wheat Pool central office in Winnipeg and members could request a catalogue of all the library holdings. If they wanted to borrow a book or books on a specific topic, they could write to Hull and the books would be mailed out to the member and returned by mail, all postage costs covered by the Pool Library.
During the crisis of the early 1930s, the library was saved because the Manitoba Co-operative Conference believed it was vital to the success of the Pools and the co-operative movement. The Conference took over administration of the Pool library in 1931, leasing the books and equipment from the Wheat Pool. The library was formally incorporated under a charter after it changed hands, the other charters members being the Co-operative Marketing Board and the United Farmers of Manitoba.
In 1935 the service was made available free of charge to all rural Manitobans with the financial support of the Co-op Marketing Board. By 1939, Manitoba Pool Elevators had begun to prosper again, and took back responsibility for the administration and housing of the library. The traveling library was also established around this time, and hundreds of boxes were distributed to all MPE points. The boxes were rotated and refreshed twice a year.
In 1942 Hull estimated that there were approximately 4,700 books in the Pool Library with an annual circulation of 4,000 to 5,000 books. Operating the library cost around two thousand dollars per year, although the cost was split between the members of the Manitoba Co-operative Conference, at least it was in theory. The Pool library ran as a free service to all rural Manitobans, regardless of whether they were members of the Pool, and the federal government census in 1941 indicates that over half of Manitoba’s population (56%) still lived in rural areas. In 1948, the majority of the Pool Library’s services were rendered unnecessary by an act called the “Public Libraries Act” that had been passed by the Manitoba legislature on April 22, 1948, and would go into effect July 1, 1948. The act provided for the establishing of a provincial “Public Library Advisory Board” that would be appointed by the government. Once the board had been established, the act allowed for the establishment of municipal and regional libraries that would be the administrative responsibility of the municipality or region they served and would be supported by a land tax levied on the population that would have access to the library. All employees of the central provincial library would be considered civil servants.
When the Provincial Library was being established in 1949, the Minister in charge of education--Ivan Shultz--actively sought both the advice of those who operated the Pool Library and the physical resources of the Library. In a letter to W.J. Parker, the President of Manitoba Pool Elevators, Shultz wrote that: "We find that in looking at the province as a whole that the box library service of the Manitoba Pool Elevators is the best developed and the best distributed within the province... We would feel that to a considerable extent you had pioneered in this field and we would be using your accomplishments as a springboard for a wider coverage of the province and an enlargement of the service."
He also requested that Miss E.L. Shields—the Pool Librarian--be released from Pool employment so that the Provincial Library could hire her for a year to aid in setting up the new library system.
An agreement was reached between MPE and the Provincial Library, and the bulk of the Pool Library was transferred to the province. The Pool retained the volumes it wished to keep as reference for its employees, and donated the rest of the open shelf library to the province. The traveling library service was sold at a discount to the province, with the caveat that service not be interrupted during the transfer and that the quality of service to rural Manitoba not diminish once the Library had been entirely transferred to the government. In a letter to Ivan Shultz after the agreement to sell the traveling library had been reached, W.J. Parker wrote that: "...Manitoba Pool Elevators has maintained an open shelf library for a period of some twenty years. These books have been made available to anyone in Manitoba, outside the City of Winnipeg, and the postage both ways was paid by the Pool. We feel it has served a very useful purpose, but that it is not primarily our function and if the government proposes to offer a more complete and universal service we are prepared to retire from the field and avoid what might be considered unnecessary duplication."
Scope and Content
Series contains items once held as part of the Manitoba Pool Library. It has been divided into the following four sub-series: (1) MPE E 1 Manitoba Pool Library publications; (2) MPE E 2 The Scoop Shovel; (3) MPE E 3 The Manitoba Cooperator; and (4) MPE E 4 Pamphlet collection.
The United Farmers of Manitoba was founded in 1920. It was an inclusive farmers' organization established to replace the Manitoba Grain Growers' Association. The UFM supported farmer candidates in the 1920 provincial election. In 1922, it helped elect the UFM government of John Bracken (1922-42). The UFM also participated in federal politics, supporting twelve successful candidates in the 1921 federal election. The UFM was financed by its members. Its membership varied from 15,700 in 1923, to 3700 in 1931. In 1939, the UFM became the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes documents relating to the membership, both male and female, of the Wingham branch of the United Farmers of Manitoba and the United Farm Women of Manitoba. Documents dealing with the position of the branch on prohibition c. 1922, discussion within the branch of the "wheat pool" movement, annual reports for the organization, newsletters, correspondence on matters political and agrarian, and records relating to the activities of the branch as a cooperative buying agency are also included. Fonds also contains minutes of the provincial convention of the UFM and correspondence from the central office of the UFM.
It appears that the Neepawa Business and Profession of Women's Club was established in 1955. The president of the club in 1955, was Nora Day. The objectives of the club were to enhance the status of professional and business women and to promote contact between women in business and the professions. The club had seven committees, including: the United Nations, Newsletter, Emblem, Social, Programme, Publicity, and Membership Committees. The Neepawa Club attended provincial conferences of the Business and Professional Women's Clubs and observed Business Women's Week. The club also hosted conferences,as well as local luncheons and picnics.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 2002. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of one scrapbook made by the club, which covers the years 1955-1959. The scrapbook includes newspaper clippings, programs, invitations, and lists of club officers from around the province. The scrapbook also includes the bylaws of the Neepawa Club. Many of the newspaper clippings relate to the status of women in Canada and around the world.
Brandon Business and Professional Women's Club (10-2002); Minnedosa Business and Professional Women's Club (11-2002); Neepawa Business and Professional Women's Club (12-2002); Trilliam Business and Professional Women's Club (2-2006).
The Minnedosa Business and Professional Women's Club was organized on May 14, 1959. The group received its charter on September 15, 1959 at a ceremony that included guests from Minnedosa, Neepawa, Dauphin, Brandon, and Portage La Prairie. The first president of the club was Mrs. Julie Johnson. In September 1959 the club had 15 members. The Minnedosa Club became the thirteenth Business and Professional Women's Club chartered in Manitoba. The purpose of the club was to train and educate women in business and the professions and to promote women's participation in local, provincial, and national affairs. The club included many committees such as the Public Relations, Membership, Survey and Archives, Programme and Projects, Social and Courtesy, International Affairs, Budget and Finance, Federation Promotion, Personal Development, Public Affairs, and Resolutions, Legislation and Employment Committees. The Minnedosa Club held exhibitions, hosted guest speakers, observed Business Women's Week, and held workshops for all of the Business and Professional Women's Clubs in Manitoba on a few occasions. Over the years the club made many donations to the Minnedosa Museum, the Minnedosa Centennial Committee, and charities such as UNICEF, Ramallah Fund, Children's Aid, and United Way. The Minnedosa Business and Professional Women's Club was very concerned with the status of women in Canada and around the world. The Minnedosa Club disbanded in May 1980. After the disbanding of the club, the women who were involved in the club formed the Just For Fun Club.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 2002. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds is comprised mainly of four scrapbooks, which run from 1959-1979, 1959-1963, 1959-1964, and 1977-1979. The scrapbooks contain photos, newspaper clippings, Christmas cards, correspondence and programs. The clippings relate to Business and Professional Women's Clubs from around Manitoba, while focusing on the Minnedosa Club. Many of the clippings also focus on the status of women in Canada and the rest of the world.
Fonds also contains financial records and minutes from the years 1959-1980. There is also a copy of the club's bylaws, as well as monthly membership reports from 1976-1980. The fonds also includes a brief typed history of the Minnedosa Club, as well as other loose newspaper clippings, programs, songbooks, and correspondence. Finally, there are three guestbooks included in the collection. The first runs from 1959-1978. The second guestbook is from the Art and Ceramic Display and Tea, held on May 27, 1972. The third guestbook is from the Art and Ceramic Dispay and Tea, held on May 29, 1976.
Brandon Business and Professional Women's Club (10-2002); Minnedosa Business and Professional Women's Club (11-2002); Neepawa Business and Professional Women's Club (12-2002); Trilliam Business and Professional Women's Club (2-2006).
Artifact catalogue containing records from the Lovstrom test units 1985.
Scope and Content
Spreadsheet containing information about the artifacts recovered, including: unit, level, artifact number, catalogue number, depth, co-ordinates, entry date, date recovered,count, weight, UTM co-ordinates, notes(excavators initials and comments) and artifact identification.
The Business and Professional Women's Club of Brandon was created in November 1932. The club grew out of a meeting of business and professional women who were interested in forming an association. Guest speakers at the meeting were Miss Hilda Hesson, the Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and Miss F. Ingram, the President of the Winnipeg Business and Professional Women's Club. The objective of the Brandon club, according to its constitution, was the "promotion of educational, service, and social facilities for the business and professional women." The club consisted of active and associate members and belonged to the greater Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club. The first President of the club was Miss Margaret Gemmell, with approximately 80 women attended the club's first meeting. The club established sub-committees on a variety of subjects including current events, sports, bridge instruction, public speaking, dress making, photography, stitch craft, manual training, and physical culture. The club also put on exhibitions, participated in drama festivals, held rummage sales and an annual Christmas party. During the Second World War, it established a War Effort Department. This department organized activities such as sewing and knitting in support of the war effort. The War Effort Department also raised money for charities such as the Red Cross. During its meetings, the club often heard local and national speakers or watched films. Women of many different vocations joined the club including florists, teachers, salesclerks, nurses, and housewives. Over the years, additional departments were added to the club including those named poetry, pottery, woodcraft, and drama.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 2002. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains three small scrapbooks, which cover the years 1932-1939, 1939-1949, and 1950-1959, respectively. The scrapbooks contain newpaper clippings from the Brandon Sun, the Winnipeg Free Press, and the Flin Flon Daily Miner. The scrapbooks also contain exhibition and meeting programs from the Brandon Club. Fonds also contains meeting minutes for the years 1932-1972.
Brandon Business and Professional Women's Club (10-2002); Minnedosa Business and Professional Women's Club (11-2002); Neepawa Business and Professional Women's Club (12-2002); Trilliam Business and Professional Women's Club (2-2006).
