The Westman Oral History collection was a project of the Westman Oral History Association and ran from 1980-84. The Westman Oral History Association was created on August 12, 1980, by a steering committee of the Assiniboine Historical Society. The Oral History Association undertook a project called "Voices of Yesteryear." The project was created in order to record and preserve the lives and experiences of early settlers to the Westman area. Work began in 1981, and included interviews conducted with approximately seventy senior citizens from over twenty communities in western Manitoba. The Association held a training session for committee members on April 11, 1981, where 125 participants learned how to conduct an effective interview and how to operate the recorders used in the interviews. The chairman of the Westman Oral History Association was Effie McPhail, the coordinator was Sally Cunningham, and the secretary was Bob Coates. Some of the interviews recorded were used in the early months of 1982 on a local radio station, CKLQ, as part of a program called "Centennial Memories." The project resulted in the creation of the Westman Oral History Collection.
Custodial History
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
The collection includes the audiotapes used to record the interviews, as well as corresponding files for each interview subject. The files contain facts about the interviewees, including date and place of birth, occupations, and marital status. The files also include a summary of the interview heard on each tape.
The interviews were done with men and women pioneers from the Westman area of Manitoba, and describe the daily lives of common people during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The topics covered in the interviews include the following: Agriculture, Associations and Clubs, Churches and Church Life, Cultural Events, Early Politics, Education, Health Services, Immigration, Local Businesses, Native-White Relations, Pioneer Settlements, Pioneer Way of Life, Social Life, Sports, Transportation, and War Brides. This collection includes interviews with residents from the following communities: Brandon, Boissevain, Brookdale, Carberry, Deloraine, Douglas, Elkhorn, Erickson, Forrest, Glenboro, Hamiota, Hartney, Justice, Kenton, Killarney, Melita, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Ninette, Oak Lake, Rapid City, Reston, Rivers, Shoal Lake, Sioux Valley Reserve, Souris, Strathclair, Virden, and Wawanesa. The interviews also disclose the unique experiences of pioneer women in rural areas. Many of the interviewees provide brief family histories during their interviews.
Notes
Some of the files include photocopied pictures of the interviewees. Description written by Robyn Mitchell (2001).
For history/bio information see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of photographic negatives related to the history of Brandon, Manitoba.
All of the images contained within this sub-series were part of Mr. Stuckey’s lifelong personal collection of photographic negatives and prints. Images include those related to people, street scapes, buildings, various city departments and so forth.
Notes
All of the images from Mr. Stuckey’s collection of negatives and prints were reproduced and digitized using an Epson scanner and software suite. All attempts have been made to reproduce the images in such a manner that balances our desire to portray the negatives and photographs as they originally appear, with the need to create an optimal digital image for viewing. Therefore it is noted that minor alterations to image size and contrast have occurred.
With few exceptions, all digitizing and database entry of images and descriptions was conducted during the summer of 2009 at Brandon University by Patrick Elves.
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
Storage Location
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Arrangement
Unless otherwise noted, the arrangement of these images was drawn from the original classification scheme used by Mr. Stuckey.
The information specific to each image, for the most part, was gained from Mr. Stuckey’s personal notes regarding that particular photograph or similar photograph. Observations or notes contained within square brackets are explanatory or missing materials that have been added by someone other than Mr. Stuckey.
We have attempted to present the information that accompanies each image in the same format as was used by Mr. Stuckey himself.
Subseries 1 - Brandon History
A. People
B. Bridges
C. Streets
D. Buildings
E. Business
F. Fire Dept.
G. Hospitals
H. Industries
I. Streetcars
J. Utilities
K. Construction
L. Transportation (other than rail)
M. Exhibition
N. Misc. History
O. Environs
P. Railroads
Contract for producing and framing 100 historical photos was awarded to myself as proprietor Clark Smith Studio. This gallery of photos is displayed in Neelin High School. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Letter outlining projects of National Centennial Committee of Brandon.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Stanley Park from old PC.
Notes
Shows bandstand
[By "PC" Mr. Stuckey likely meant to indicate Park School (built 1904, demolished 1978). Park School was, at the time the photo was taken, located directly across Lorne Avenue from Stanley Park. P.E. 22/07/09]
This wedge-shaped tract of woodland was located west of 34th Street on the south side of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was formerly owned by the Great Northern Railway, and was acquired by the CPR when the GN line was abandoned in 1936. In 1978 Marathon Realty (CPR) sold this 7 acre property to a developer who planned to build condominiums. However this residential development was objected to for two reasons: [The proposed location] was home to many species of flora & fauna, and it was too close to the CPR mainline. Local residents took out a petition against the development. [Mr. Stuckey] wrote a letter to the editor of the Brandon Sun, [expressing the] attitudes of CPR officials, and read a statement to the Provincial Planning Board suggesting development be refused and the area become an undeveloped park. These efforts would prove successful - see file on same.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
John Indian's Bush (also known as Bang's Bush)
Notes
Additional historical information provided by the Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009). Stuckey's letter to the editor appears in the July 22, 1978 issue of The Brandon Sun.
This wedge-shaped tract of woodland was located west of 34th Street on the south side of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was formerly owned by the Great Northern Railway, and was acquired by the CPR when the GN line was abandoned in 1936. In 1978 Marathon Realty (CPR) sold this 7 acre property to a developer who planned to build condominiums. However this residential development was objected to for two reasons: [The proposed location] was home to many species of flora & fauna, and it was too close to the CPR mainline. Local residents took out a petition against the development. [Mr. Stuckey] wrote a letter to the editor of the Brandon Sun, [expressed the] attitudes of CPR officials, and read a statement to the provincial planning board suggesting development be refused and the area become an undeveloped park. These efforts would prove successful - see file on same.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
John Indian's Bush (also known as Bang's Bush).
Notes
Additional historical information provided by the Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009). Stuckey's letter to the editor appears in the July 22, 1978 issue of The Brandon Sun.
The Snye was a former channel (oxbow lake) of the Assiniboine River. It was located south of the Assiniboine between about 14th and 24th Streets, and during high water in the spring it carried overflow. For many years it was used as a log storage area for Hanbury's Mill. I remember there being bridges over it at 18th & 22nd Streets. It was dammed with a one way flipper valve at 14th Street that allowed water to flow out to the river, but prevented river water backing into it. Water within the Snye became stagnant in summer and formed a breeding area for mosquitoes. It was deemed a health hazard and the river was gradually filled in. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Snye River
Notes
[This negative was produced using a previous published image. P.E. 22/07/09]
Additional historical information provided by the Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009).
Due to the increasing volume of long-distance auto traffic in the 1920's, the city designated the block between Hill & Queen's Avenues and 9th & 10th streets as a "Tourist Camp" with a few basic facilities. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
First Tourist Camp
Notes
Courtesy of the Brandon Sun
[Mr. Stuckey put two negatives in the same envelope, numbered N4 and N4a. We have separated them.]
Due to the increasing volume of long-distance auto traffic in the 1920's, the city designated the block between Hill & Queen's Avenues and 9th & 10th streets as a "Tourist Camp" with a few basic facilities. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
First Tourist Camp
Notes
Courtesy of the Brandon Sun
[Mr. Stuckey put two negatives in the same envelope, numbered N4 and N4a. We have separated them.]
Harry "Hap" Fraser was born in Brandon, Manitoba on January 15, 1919. On February 12, 1945, he married Muriel Coleman of Virden. Fraser served in the RCAF during World War II, returning to Brandon in 1946. Harry Fraser was employed by Coca-Cola, Nutty Cup Candy Company and the Codville Company. Following a brief stint as manager of the North Hill IGA, Harry Fraser built an IGA grocery store on Victoria Avenue West. He operated this store until his retirement in 1972. Harry Fraser was a member of the Brandon Lion's Club from 1952 until his death. He also served a term on Brandon City Council. He passed away at his home in Brandon on April 2, 1991.
Custodial History
This fonds came into the possession of Fred McGuinness, a Brandon writer and acquaintance of Hap Fraser's, after Fraser's death. McGuinness donated it to the McKee Archives in 1998.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a single scrapbook containing articles and pictures of various personalities and events from the world of sports during the 1920s and 1930s. Hockey, baseball, basketball, wrestling, boxing, body building, bike racing, boat racing, track and field, swimming, diving, football, rugby, rifle shooting, tennis, bowling, horse racing, golf, soccer, and fishing are all featured in the scrapbook. The articles and pictures feature both local and internationally known sports figures. Fonds also contains pictures of celebrities, royalty, prominent military figures, inventors, and beauty queens from the same era.
William Wallace was born in Scotland around 1859. In 1881, when William was twenty-two, he emigrated to Canada with his father and brother. Once here they settled near what is today Forrest, Manitoba. The following spring they moved to the northwest margin of settlement in Manitoba, homesteading in the Shellmouth area. Wallace remained a resident of the region for the rest of his life. William Wallace was active in community affairs. He was appointed to the post of Secretary-Treasurer of the Shellmouth Municipality in 1887, and he held the position until 1904. In 1909, Wallace was injured in a railway accident, and he had to give up farming. He moved to Shellmouth and took up the position of postmaster, which he held for twenty-seven years. He died in 1945, and is buried at Shellmouth cemetery, Manitoba.
Custodial History
The letters contained in the fonds remained in the possession of Margaret Wallace, who was the original recipient of the correspondence. She emigrated to Canada in 1904. At some point the letters passed to William Wallace who kept them in his possession in Shellmouth. In 1941, William contacted Professor E. J. Westcott of Brandon College regarding the fonds. He offered it to the College for safekeeping. Westcott accepted the letters. Westcott passed the letters on to various officers and staff at Brandon College and then Brandon University. Since 1982, the collection has resided in the S. J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of hundreds of letters that William Wallace and his brother, Andrew, wrote to their sister, Maggie, from 1881 until 1904. The first letter, dated 22 March 1881, was written by both William and Andrew aboard the S.S. Prussia as they sailed to North America from Scotland. The last letter was written on 4 January 1904 by William. It was written to inform Maggie and her husband that William had reserved a homestead in their name. This letter marks the end of the fonds. Later that spring Maggie and John emigrated to Canada to be with her family.
William was keenly interested in everything going on around him; his letters and Andrew's reveal what life was like for inexperienced settlers on the Canadian agricultural frontier in the last years of the ninteenth century. Fonds touches on a variety of social, political and economic themes.
Notes
CAIN No. 202641. A partial accession of the Wallace collection was completed in 1992 by Eileen McFadden.
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.
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