The idea of the Keystone Centre was first mentioned in 1958, at a meeting of the board of directors of the Manitoba Winter Fair. The Manitoba Winter Fair wanted a new facility because the old Wheat City Arena had a leaking roof and a deteriorating west wall. The old facility also had limited space and the Winter Fair felt it needed more space for expansion. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba also had problems with their facilities, such as old barns and poor display areas. The idea of the Keystone Centre was put on hold until 1969, when the boards of the Provincial Exhibition and the Manitoba Winter Fair joined together as the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Wheat City Arena was sold and demolished. The original estimate for the cost of the Keystone Centre facilities was $4.5 million and funding would be proportioned so that the federal and provincial governments would each put in one-third of the money, with the rest coming from local donations. The financial campaign for the Keystone Centre began in 1970, and construction began in November 1970. The grand opening of the Centre was in March 1973, and coincided with the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair of that year.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains many folders full of correspondence, financial statements, meeting minutes and other documents relating to the development and construction of the Keystone Centre from 1970-1974, including those from the Keystone Executive Committee, as well as the Building Committee. Fonds also contains one folder that pertains to the Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey from 1959. This folder contains the names and locations of all farmers in the Brandon area in 1959. The Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey was created in 1959, in order to make farming in the Brandon area more profitable. The survey was aided by Doane Agricultural Service from St. Louis, Missouri, who had success creating agricultural development programs in the United States. Fonds also contains folders from the Provincial Exhibition with correspondence, pamphlets, estimates, and studies from the 1960's. There is also one folder belonging to the Manitoba Winter Fair, which contains correspondence and financial statements relating to the Wheat City Arena. Fonds also contains information pertaining to the proposals made in the 1960's, for the building of the Keystone Centre, as well as one folder about the Keystone campaign from 1970-73. There is also one folder about the opening of the Keystone Centre, which contains newspaper clippings and guest lists. Finally, the fonds contains information about a court case involving Albert Bobyk and Robert Stewart. Stewart was the project manager for the Building Committee and Bobyk worked on the Keystone Center. The fonds includes a report about the trial of the two men who were charged with fraud involving their work on the Keystone Centre.
See fonds level description of RG 4 for history/bio of MPE
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of MPE's involvement in four different inter-provincial committees: Canadian Co-operative Wheat Producers, Inter-provincial Co-operative Ltd, Inter-provincial Pool Board, and Canadian Pool Agencies. The records include the following:
Box 1:
Canadian Co-operative Wheat Producers Minute Book 1924-1944
Canadian Co-operative Wheat Producers / Prairie Pools Minute Book 1945-1983
1a. Inter-provincial Co-operative Ltd. 1966-1979
1b. Inter-provincial Co-operative Ltd. 1965-1979
1c. Inter-provincial Co-operative Ltd. meeting in Toronto Sept 25 1979
1d. Inter-provincial Co-operative Ltd. By-laws 1960-1963
2a. Inter-provincial Pool Board Minutes 1971-1983
2b. Inter-provincial Pool Board Minutes & By-laws 1971-1983
2c. Inter-provincial Co-operative Limited Board and Annual Meeting Minutes 1980, 1982
3a. Co-operative Union of Manitoba Organizing Documents and Minutes 1953-1964
3b. Co-operative Union of Manitoba Minutes March 31 1959 - June 16 1966
4. POS Pilot Plant 1973 - 1975
Box 2:
Inter-provincial Pool Board Minute Book 1945-1984
Canadian Co-operative Wheat Producers Limited / Canadian Pool Agencies Limited Minute Book 1924-1944
Canadian Pool Agencies Limited Minute Book 1945-1980
5. Co-operative Crop Development Group Constitution and Annual Reports 1984-1993
6. Prairie Pools Inc. Directors Reports 1985-1986
Notes
Description by Jillian Sutherland (2009)
Documents for the Canadian Co-operative Wheat Producers can be found in MPE B.2
James David McKeand was born on April 11, 1925 on section 22-11-17 in the Douglas district of Manitoba. His early education was at Elton School. His grandfather was Robert McKeand (1848-1910) and his grandmother was Marion Johnstone (1860-1920). His father was David McKeand (1893-1979) and his mother was Mary Ethel Muirhead (1891-1963). David McKeand was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1982.
Jim married Eva Meryl Gillespie (b. 1927) on May 7, 1947 and together they had two dauthers: Elaine and Janet. The couple lived five miles north of Douglas and Jim attended an agricultural course at the Ag Centre in Brandon, graduating with a certificate. A pedigreed seed grower, Jim achieved his 25 year Long Service Certificate from the Canadian Seed Growers' Association. He also grew seed plots for foundation production. Outside of his farm, Jim served on the local school board, was a Manitoba Pool Elevators delegate, served as a director of the Manitoba Agricultural Museum, the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Brandon Consumers Co-operative. He was also active in politics and his church. James McKeand died on January 31, 1987 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Madford 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 James McKeand about the lives of his parents and grandparents. Interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McKeand's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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James Miller Young was born on February 4, 1901 at Eden, MB. Jim married Verna Mary Osborne (1907-1997) on October 27, 1930. Together they had three children: Gerald, Patricia and Marjorie. Jim served as a school trustee for the Eden Consolidated School District and Beautiful Plains School Division for more than 30 years, including 15 years at Board Chairman. Jim retired in 1967, and the couple's retirement years were spent in Neepawa, where they were very active in their community. Jim's service was commemorated by JM Young School in 1970. James Young died in May 1986. He is buried at Neepawa 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 James Young about education in rural Manitoba. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Verna Young's obituatary and the Manitoba Historical Society website entry on James Miller Young. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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James "Jim" Guild was born on December 2, 1905 in Dundee, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada when his father was hired as a farm laborer in 1907. Jim farmed in the RM of Elton, where he ran a hog and cattle operation. He was an avid curler and interested in sports. A member of the Brandon Curling Club and the Forrest Curling Club, he was also a member and president of the Justice Pool Elevator, the Forrest Church Board, and the Elton Seniors Club. Jim was active in the early years of the Forrest 4-H Club, a director of the Brandon Consumers Board and Credit Union Board, the Brandon Consumers Cooperative and the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Bernice Rae Klusedorf was born on February 19, 1909 in Welcome, Minnesota. She moved to Manitoba at the age of 8, when her parents established a farm in the Sinclair district. A graduate of the Brandon General Hosptial (BGH) in 1931, Bernice worked as a nurse until her marriage to Jim on September 21, 1934. The couple had five children: Janice, Elaine, Alan, Murray and Betty. After her marriage, Bernice was dedicated to the farm and her family, while also making her nursing skills available to families in the community. She was active in the nurses' alumni of BGH and represented the Justice chapter of the Women's Institute at meetings throughout southern Manitoba. A member of the Justice and Forrest United Churches, Bernice also enjoyed travelling.
The Guilds retired from farming in the late 1970s. Jim Guild died on May 26, 1982. Three years later, Bernice moved into Brandon where she continued her practice of visiting hospital patients and residents of senior citizens homes. Bernice Guild died on March 18, 1995. They are both buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
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 James and Bernice Guild about their lives and experiences. The interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Jim Guild's and Bernice Guild's obituaries. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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James Gilmour was born on December 4, 1910 at Griswold, MB. In 1936, he moved with his family to the Forrest District where he worked on the McPhail farm. In 1938, he went to Norway House where he and his twin brother Wesley were on the staff at the Residential School.
Isabel Marjory Forsyth was born on January 25, 1917 in the farm home south of Pipestone, MB. After graduating from high school, Isabel attended the Women's Institute Course in Deloraine for dressmaking and cooking, where she learned skills she used for the rest of her life. In 1939, Isabel travelled to Norway House with a group of teachers, and that is where she met Jim Gilmour.
Jim joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, and on November 7 of the same year he and Isabel were married. Following the marriage, the couple were stationed in Lethbridge, AB and then Mossbank, SK where Jim was a flight instructor. At the end of the war, the Gilmours moved to Pipestone where Jim was manager of the Co-op store. In 1948, they moved to join Jim's brother Hughie on the farm in the Forrest district. During his farming years, Jim was active in Forrest United Church, the rink board, the Pool Elevator board and the School board. He loved to garden, curl and visit. Isabel enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and entertaining. She was involved in community activities including the United Church and as a 4-H leader for 17 years, and enjoyed curling and baseball. She also sketched and painted.
Jim and Isabel moved to Brandon in 1982, where they enjoyed bowling, bridge playing and square dancing. Isabel was also associated with "The Writer's Circle." In 2000, the couple moved to Virden to the Evergreen Place to be closer to family. Jim spent the last year of his life in the Sherwood Home in Virden.
Together the Gilmours had three daughters: Carol Anne, Joan and Lynne. James Gilmour died on March 20, 2003 in Virden, MB. Isabel Gilmour died on September 5, 2007 in Virden, MB. They are both buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
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 James and Isabel Gilmour about early agriculture in Manitoba and life at Griswold. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the obituaries for James and Isabel Gilmour. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Samuel James McKee was born near Wellesley, Ontario on July 17, 1849. By 1872, he had graduated from Toronto University. That same year he accepted a position at the Canadian Literary Institute in Woodstock, Ontario. Although he accepted this post with reservation, McKee soon found himself converted to the Baptist faith and was a true believer. In 1881, his doctor advised him to move West because of his poor health. He and his wife Laura moved to Rapid City, Manitoba and established a farm there. His brother-in-law, Rev. Davis was busy establishing the Rapid City Academy during this time, and when Davis had the chance to move to Moose Jaw, he prevailed upon McKee to take over the Academy. Under McKee's guidance the Academy flourished. By 1890, he decided that he could reach more people if he relocated the school Brandon, Manitoba, which was located on the C.P.R. line. The S.J. McKee Academy did quite well in Brandon, although it had trouble finding a permanent home. By 1899, the school was located in the Stewart Block on Ninth Street and Rosser Avenue. McKee's wife taught music, and there were always potential ministry students in his classes.
In 1899, the Baptists finally decided that they wanted a College in Manitoba that would help preapre students for potential ministry service. It was decided to locate the school in Brandon, as McKee, a staunch Baptist, already had a flourishing Academy there. The Baptists and McKee amalgamated and Brandon College was created. When the school opened in October 1899, McKee was on the Board of Directors as well as teaching Classics, Mental Science and French. He also acted as the unofficial Vice-principal of the school. McKee taught several different subjects during the next few years, and in 1910 accepted the newly created post of Registrar. He retained this position for the next decade. As well, McKee acted as the Bursar in 1911-1913, 1914-1915, and 1919-1920. He retired in 1920 and moved to Vancouver. McKee was given the title Professor Emeritus in Philosophy. He was made an honorary member of the Board of Directors in 1925.
McKee and his wife had five daughters and three sons. Three daughters that died soon after the move from Rapid City due to a typhoid epidemic. His son, George Eugene, graduated from Brandon College in 1902. A son, John Harris McKee, became the Bursar of Brandon College in 1915 after obtaining his B.A. in 1914. Another son, William Carey McKee, graduated from Brandon College in 1914, and received his M.A. in 1915. He was studying Law in Calgary when he enlisted with the Army. Carey McKee was killed in action on August 26, 1918. A fourth son, Robert Allan also attended Brandon College. He enlisted when Carey did, but he was declared medically unfit for service in Winnipeg in 1917. He eventually returned to Brandon, but was sick for a very long time. He died on Febrary 13, 1919, from a growth on his brain that had weakened him greatly. McKee's daughter Mildred also attended Brandon College. After her husband was killed in action in November of 1918, she returned home to her parents. Eventually she obtained a degree in Household Science. There is another daughter mentioned, Lydia. McKee also states in a tax return form that he has a permanently epileptic child in a home. It is not known if this child was Lydia or not. S.J. McKee died in September 1937 at the age of 88.
Custodial History
To commemorate the move of the McKee Acadamy to Brandon, Manitoba in 1890, Brandon University renamed the Brandon University Archives the S.J. McKee Archives in the fall of 1990. At that time, the McKee family was represented by S.J. McKee's grandson William, who donated the S.J. McKee papers to the Archives. Up until 1990, the records had been in his custody, having passed from S.J. at the time of his death to William's father.
Scope and Content
S.J. McKee's files are very unique. He has records detailing many aspects from Rapid City Academy and the desire for educating the West. He has a lengthy document entitled "The Beginning of our Educational Work in the West" in his records. It details the creation of Prairie College, its demise, and the building of the Rapid City Academy. There is a lot of correspondence, not just to and from S.J. McKee, but to and from his children as well. There are Land Titles papers, Mortgages, Last Will and Testaments, and various other legal documents dealing with the McKee family. There is a ninety page paper that his son, Carey, wrote in 1915 entitled "Immigrants and Their Assimilation." There are several files dealing with Carey McKee, and also with the death of Midred's husband, Robert Alexander Cunningham. The Minute Book of the Brandon College Literary Society from 1903-1905 is located in the McKee files. McKee also kept various newsclippings and certain issues of "The Western Baptist," "The Northwest Baptist" and "The Sunday School Times." As well, there are some used account and receipt books.
His records are extremely interesting in that McKee was really one of the founding fathers of Brandon College. The documentation that still exists with regard to Rapid City Academy is quite astounding, down to the legal agreement he and G.B. Davis made with Duncan L. McLaren regarding using some of his land to build the school on. His recollections on the beginnings of education in the west are clear and concise. As well, the sense of family and devotion to God are evident in almost all of the letters between family members.
Charles Robert Turner was born on March 8, 1912 on the family farm near Wellwood, MB. Charles left home in 1929, working as bank clerk in Pipestone and Minto before returning to Wellwood in 1935. During World War II he spent three years in the RCAF as part of the War Assets Corp out of the Neepawa airport. Charles married Nora Emma Graham (1916-1999) on October 19, 1940 and together they had five children: Jane, George, Michael, Patrick and Bill. The family lived on the farm at Wellwood until 1992, when Charles and Nora moved to Carberry. Charles Turner died in 1995. He is buried at Wellwood 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 a recording of Charles Robert Turner narrating his life story and his political philosophy.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Nora Turner's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Related Material
Music and the Brandon Community fonds (Bill Turner interview)
Field journal by Brandon University Archaeology field school assistant James Graham of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather.
In 2005 the Brandon University Field School was held at the Crepeele site in the Crepeele locale.
Denise Ens instructed the school and James Graham was teaching assistant. Field journals were kept by both instructors.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
In 2003 Units 1 to 9 were excavated at the Sarah site by supervisor James Graham and crew of Sarah Graham, Mike Evans, Todd Kristensen, Shayne Kolesar, Lisa Sonnenburg and Emily Ansell.
Excavations took place in 2003 at Crepeele West (Units 1-5) and Crepeele East (Units 6-9). The site was subsequently renamed the Sarah site DiMe-28. James Graham's field journal contains notes on the Casselman survey and Crepeele 2003 as well as the Sarah site 2003.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
The Sarah site was initially chosen for excavation based on the results of the Casselman survey. The survey recovered significant amounts of faunal remains, some ceramics and lithics from the test pits. Excavations took place in 2003 at the Sarah site DiMe-28.
In 2004 further excavation took place as part of a Brandon University Archaeology Field School. Units 10 to 18 were excavated with Denise Ens as the instructor and James Graham teaching assistant.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
