A.E. McKenzie was born in Wilcox Lake, York County, Ontario in 1870 to F.B. and Maria (Carley) McKenzie. His family came to Manitoba in 1883. He was educated in Brandon, Manitoba and graduated from the Collegiate Institute at age 21. In 1897 he founded the Brandon Seed House. McKenzie was present at the cornerstone-laying ceremony of Brandon College on Juy 13, 1900. From that moment on, he was very involved in the College, first as an interested businessman, and later as a member of its Board of Directors. In 1902, McKenzie married Laura Bell in Port Arthur. They had two daughters, Marjorie Bell and Kathleen. In 1906 the Brandon Seed House was incorporated and from then on was known as the "A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd.."
McKenzie became a member of the Brandon College Endowment Committee in 1918. The following year he was on the Finance Committee. By 1925, McKenzie was a member of the Board of Directors. In 1928, he was part of a syndicate that advised the Baptist Union that they were developing an endowment plan to provide continuing financial support to the College and talked the Union into providing $10 000 towards the accumulated deficit.
In 1931, McKenzie organized the Brandon Board of Trade to help save Brandon College when the Baptists said they could no longer afford to keep the College. After the By-law failed, he helped to organize the Brandon Citizen’s Campaign to raise enough money so that the College could open the following year.
When the Baptists withdrew support in 1938, McKenzie was one of the central figures on the Brandon Board of Trade that decided to save the College from closure. A representative delegation from Southwestern Manitoba of over 60 men descended upon Premier Bracken’s office to try and convince him to help the College. On June 12, 1938 McKenzie said he would set up a $100 000 endowment to Brandon College. He subsequently raised this amount to $300 000. On August 1, 1938 the Board of Trade launched a campaign to raise $15 000 to match what the government was prepared to offer the College. McKenzie was asked to provide Brandon College with $3000 personally. In September of 1938, McKenzie upped his endowment once more to $500 000. The fund raising worked however, and the chater establishing Brandon College Incorporated was assented to on April 17, 1939. On June 6, 1939 a by-law was again presented to the citizens of Brandon, and fortunately it passed.
In 1941, McKenzie received an honorary L.L.D. from the University of Manitoba. The A.E. McKenzie Foundation was created in 1945 by the provincial government, who had assumed 90% of the A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. stock.
On September 25, 1964 McKenzie died at the age of 94. He never retired, but worked full time until two weeks before his death. The funeral was held in the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre. The Arts and Library Building at Brandon College was completed in 1960, and is known as the A.E. McKenzie building, in honour of the man who contributed so much time, effort and financial help to the College during a crucial period in its history.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
A.E. McKenizie’s records in the Brandon College fonds are very useful from an administrative point of view. Because McKenzie was so involved in Brandon College from the very beginning until his death in 1964, it is easy to understand how the College Administration arrived at decisions. There is correspondence between McKenzie and various regarding College and Board of Director business. There are Brandon College financial statements and letters regarding the A.E. McKenzie Foundation. The records contain newspaper clippings, pamphlets and lists of names of members of various Brandon organizations. As well, McKenzie has letters regarding Building Expansion in the 1940’s and minutes of Board of Director meetings. There are also several photographs. One photograph is the 1919 graduation picture of Zoe Hough. Another is tentatively identified as Frances Wolverton, also of the Class of 1919. There are two more photographs of unidentified young women.
The Brandon Art Club was founded in November 1907, and operated in an art studio on the top floor of the Brandon College Women's Residence. The club appears to have been the creation of Miss. H. Hancock, who became the Director of the Department of Art at Brandon College c. 1907. The club moved to larger facilities made available at the First Methodist Church; the organization remained there until sometime during the Great War when the club relocated to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and then in 1921, to the Prince Edward Hotel. The club's first public art exhibitions were held at the Prince Edward Hotel. Art classes were held for the first time in 1928. In 1968, the Brandon Art Club merged with the Allied Arts Center, which had been formed in 1959. The Allied Arts Center was located at 1036 Louise Avenue. In April 1984, the Allied Arts Center was moved to new facilities at the Arts Center of Western Manitoba located at 638 Princess Avenue. In 1989, it was renamed the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, and began to function as a "professional, regional art gallery." The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba relocated to 2-710 Rosser Ave. c. 2001.
Custodial History
These records were created at different times between 1907 and 1993, and remained in the possession of the administration of the above mentioned organizations until May 2001, when they where donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains administrative records, minutes, personal files, correspondence, newsletters, photographs, summaries of collections and exhibits, scrapbooks, programs, submitted papers, and other miscellaneous records. All are a record of the growth and evolution of the Art Club, its administration, and of the art community in Brandon.
The A.E. McKenzie Company fonds (RG 3 MG 1, 1.3) located in the McKee Archives contains some records, primarily correspondence and minutes, relating to the Brandon Allied Arts Council.
2.4 m textual records; c. 5 photographs; 1 minute book (measuring 1"x 9"x 14")
History / Biographical
The Brandon Trades and Labour Council was established in 1906, as an affiliate of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada. The original Council contained thirteen locals, including those of railway workers, sheet metal workers, plumbers and steam fitters, bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, cigar makers, printers, and barbers. By 1912, the Council contained twenty four locals. The Council's principal function was to advance the corporate interests of labour within the framework of a largely unregulated capitalism. After 1955, the Council was affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress, which was created through a merger of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada and the Canadian Congress of Labour.
Custodial History
Fonds remained in possession of Brandon and District Labour Council prior to donation to the S.J. McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of financial and administrative records of the Brandon and District Labour Council. Records also include collective agreements, correspondence, publications of the Labour Council and affiliated unions, some union local minutes, newspaper clippings, petitions, and various miscellaneous files. Fonds also includes a minute book for the Council (1971-1985) and two union charters.
This plate was the property of Edna and Carl Bjarnason. It was in their possession for some fifty years prior to its donation to the University on October, 2005. The Development Office took possession of the plate at that time and transferred it to the Archives in March 2008.
Scope and Content
The plate measures 26 cm in diameter and is white with blue glazing. The centre of the plate depicts the Brandon College Original Building and the words "Brandon College, Brandon Manitoba." The outside of the plate is a flower motif. On the back of the plate, in the same blue as the front, are the words "Canadian View Series, Brandon Manitoba." There is also a trademark of a bird with a banner reading "Trademark England."
The University Calendar is the authoritative statement of the institutional structure, faculty and staff, and academic program of Brandon University. Since the creation of the College in 1900, calendars have been produced annually, with only a few exceptions, by the Registrar's Office.
Up until 1991-1992, the calendar was called the general calendar. In 1991-1992, it was called the undergraduate general calendar. Beginning in 1992, the calendar was produced every two years instead of annually, except for 1998-1999, until 2003. The 1992-1994 calendar contains both the undergraduate and graduate general calendars, and starting in 1994 a separate undergraduate and graduate calendar was produced.
Custodial History
The Brandon College/University calendar was produced by the Registrar's Office. Individual copies of the calendar were held by the Registrar's Office until their transfer to the University Archives.
Scope and Content
The sub-series consists of general calendars, general undergraduate and graduate calendars, as well as calendars for the School of Music, the Faculty of Education, and for spring and summer sessions. It has been divided into three sub sub series, including: (1) Calendars - bound archival copies; (2) Calendars - researcher's copies; and (3) Calendars - miscellaneous.
Notes
The Registrar, acting in his/her capacity as Secretary of Senate, is responsible for the production of the University calendar.
The Brandon Women's Musical Club was formed in 1945 by Miss Peggy Sharpe and Miss Hilda Smith. Together with a group of women from around Brandon, they managed to form a large club for, according to the club's constitution, "the study of vocal and instrumental music, literature and related arts and the encouragement of promising Junior Artists under eighteen years of age." With these goals in mind, the club undertook to provide tuition for young music students and contributed to the formation of the Brandon Women's Musical Choral Club. The club held meetings during which club members listened to guest speakers and observed performances by local musical and dance groups, as well as some national musical stars. The group also sponsored performances of musicals, plays, and recitals, and held an annual Christmas party.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 2002. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds is composed predominantly of two scrapbooks, one of which covers the years 1953-1960, the other the years 1960-1965. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings about the Musical Club's meetings and performances. There is also a file containing miscellaneous correspondence, the constitution and bylaws of the group, the club's membership lists from 1959-1964, and questionnaires about the Women's Musical Club.
The Brandon University Student's Union (BUSU), Local 37 of the Canadian Federation of Students, was incorporated in 1969 as the students' organization of Brandon University. Its predecessor was the Brandon College Students' Association, which was established in 1899. BUSU is a not-for-profit society that serves to represent the students of Brandon University; all regular full and part-time students at Brandon University are members of the Students’ Union.
BUSU has several broad functions: they are a service provider that offers programs and support services to students throughout the year; they act as lobbyists on behalf of the student body at the local, provincial and federal levels, working with the other member locals of the Canadian Federation of Students, Canada’s national and provincial student movement; they represent the student body within the important, decision-making bodies at BU, such as the Board of Governors and Senate; and they provide funding for student clubs and organizations. BUSU is bound legally to the Brandon University Sudents' Union Constitution and Bylaws and the Universities Act of Manitoba.
BUSU draws on collected student fees to operate. Its administrative structure consists of a board of directors consisting of 11 voting members. Students elect representatives to relay their issues and concerns to the University community, the community at large, and all levels of government. A democratically elected council, made up of members from various constituencies on campus, oversees the work of the Students’ Union. The council includes four executive officers (the President and three Vice Presidents – Academic, Finance, and Student Activities), numerous commissioners, and one liaison. The work of the Students’ Union is also powered by the efforts and dedication of countless campus and community volunteers and staff. BUSU also has a voting student representative on the Board of Governors and Senate.
BUSU holds annual and semi-annual general meetings, full council meetings, and council committee meetings throughout the year. All meetings are broadly advertised to the membership and are open to students. As BUSU members, students have full speaking rights at any meeting of the Union, as well as voting rights at general meetings.
Custodial History
The records in accession 25-2003 were stored by the Brandon University Students' Union until they were donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records of Executive meetings, correspondence and financial records of the Brandon University Students' Union, as well as club records and copies of "The Sickle," "The Quill," and Student Handbooks. It has been divided into five sub-series, including: (1) BUSU Executive and Council; (3) Correspondence; (4) Clubs; and (5) Publications.
Notes
BUSU is a separately incorporated organization from Brandon University's Board of Governors, but for administrative purposes it has been incorporated int RG 6 Brandon University fonds. Administrative information in the History/Bio field was taken from the BUSU website at http://www.busu.ca/aboutus.asp (December 2005).
Carole Paintin-Dence was raised in Souris, Manitoba and attended Brandon College in the early 1960s. While at Brandon College she was active in the Glee Club, I.R.C. and French Clubs. She was also Quill reporter for the Music Department.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of a small collection of Brandon College memorabilia and slides. The memorabilia includes programs from various Brandon College Student Association events, Alumni News, and a copy of "The New Brandon College School of Music" by Peggy Sharpe. The slide images include: the opening of the Music Building 1963 (3) - Sir Ernest MacMillan, Lady MacMillan and Lorne Watson; raising the class flag 1964 (2); the JRC Evans Lecture Theatre 1964 (1); Brandon College Original Building 1964 (1); Freshie Parade 1962 (1) - glee club float and 1963 (3) - "wedding of Jack & Jill"; French Immersion class Summer 1964 (4) - Mme Ragot, Neil Forsyth, Henri Francq; party for John 1963 (2) - Ken May, Morlene Sparrow, John Sushelnitsky, Norma Walmsley, Poppy Cumming, Chris Cassels, Pat Brake, Eleanor Riesberry; W.U.S. parties (4) - Joan Garnett, Norma Walmsley, Claude Paintin, Brian Foster, Rae Westcott, Clark Brownlee, Nina Kosakawiecz, Berth Paintin
Collection also includes school texts and pedagogical guides - forty-seven in total - dealing with reading, spelling, social studies and particularly music.
There are some holes and torn fabric. The flag also has some small stains.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1922 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of a cotton based material, features the class colours of yellow and black, as well as the class motto "Virtus in Arduis" ("Courage in difficulties"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Some fraying and possible mouse holes. Staining on canvas.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1923 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool and canvas, features the class colours of green and gold, as well as the class motto "Vincit qui patitur" ("The one who is patient wins"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1924 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of green and white, as well as the class motto "Vincit qui patitur" ("The one who is patient wins"). The flag has no method for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1925 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool and canvas, features the class colours of burgundy and grey, as well as the class motto "Ministrare est Vincere" ("To serve is to conquer"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1926 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of green and orange, as well as the class motto "Non nobis solum" ("Not only for us" or "Not only for ourselves"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Discolouration/bleaching in the centre, mild tearing in the corner, missing fabric on some letters.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1927 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of black and orange, as well as the class motto "In omnia paratus" ("Prepared for everything"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Material is deteriorating around the edges, staining on canvas pocket, some letters are lifting, some with staining.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1928 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of canvas, velvet and an undetermined woven material, features the class colours of purple and gold, as well as the class motto "Patet Omnibus Veritas" ("The truth is open to everyone"). The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Fraying, the letters are peeling and there is mild glue residue left over from a peeled letter.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1930 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of canvas and velvet, features the class colours of red and white, as well as the class motto "Age Quod Agis!" ("Do what you do!"). The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1931 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of scarlet and black, as well as the class motto "Carpe Diem" ("Seize the day") below the image of a ship. The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.