Mrs. Busch is a long-time resident of Shellmouth, Manitoba, where her husband operated a general store for many years (shown in the painting). They live (1965) above the former store. (1969 inventory)
Bertha Cunningham is a Western Manitoban artist who has studied at the Banff School of Fine Arts several summers and has painted in Winnipeg for periods under the guidance of members of the School of Fine Art. She paints mainly landscapes. (1969 inventory)
Dimensions
49.5 X 60.5 cm
Size Overall
63 X 73 cm
Medium
oil
Condition
Brown accretion marks on left frame arm, as well as mild brown accretion mark in TL corner of frame.
There is a 3cm tear in TR area of painting. Frame has plaster gild broken in various areas, especially along the left vertical arm. The finish on the frame is also worn off in various places.
Primary Support
canvas
Secondary Support
plexiglass, backing paper; frame - wood and plaster with gild
Inscription: Presented to Brandon University by the class of 1937 in the memory of Frank Bowman, Matilda Dallas, Jack Muirhead, Jack Prugh, Harvey Shaw, Dan Stark, Jean Taylor and Dorothy Walker.
The 1960s campus expansion necessitated a large, updated heat source so a central steam plant fueled by coal was built north of the campus adjacent to the CPR rail lines on Pacific Avenue. A 25-year agreement was made between the University and John R. Brodie of the Great West Coal Company, which guaranteed BU lower coal prices tendered by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways on an annual basis. Brandon College Engineer John Kasiurak officially opened the Heating Plant on 24 January 1962. An extension and/or upgrade of the steam plant appears to have occurred in 1970.
Until the 1990s, heat was piped underground to the campus from the Pacific Avenue Heating Plant but inspection standards were outpacing the maintenance and repairs required to keep the plant operating smoothly. Consequently, a new steam plant was built immediately adjacent to the University to the west of Darrach Hall on 20th Street. This building was essential to handling additional loads from the proposed library expansion. The original steam plant was subsequently sold.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the old Brandon University Steam Plant (initially coal fired) used up until the early 1990’s. Photograph is looking northwest.