Artifacts in this series were collected by Fred McGuinness during the course of his lifetime as a community volunteer and newspaperman. Beginning in the mid-1930s through the Second World War, McGuinness worked with the Canadian Pacific Telegraph service in Brandon and Winnipeg. McGuinness frequently wrote about those early experiences in his newspaper columns, journals, and monographs.
In the early 1950s, while McGuinness worked as a publicist with the Unemployment Insurance Commission in Winnipeg, he volunteered with community organizations such as the Winnipeg Community Chest Drive. From 1953 to 1955, McGuinness worked as an organizer for the Province of Saskatchewan’s 1955 Golden Jubilee.
After the Saskatchewan Jubilee, McGuinness worked with The Medicine Hat News as a journalist and publisher from 1955 to 1965. During that time, McGuinness became heavily involved with the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce. His community and business connections resulted in his appointment as a fundraiser for the Medicine Hat Junior College Library, a building project intended to see the City established with its own college.
After his work with the Saskatchewan Jubilee, McGuinness was asked to be a Regional Director for the Canadian Centennial Commission from 1965 to 1967. During that time, McGuinness returned to his hometown of Brandon in 1966, to start a 20-year career with the Brandon Sun as a publisher and vice-president. McGuinness’ interest in local history, of which he often wrote, made him the recipient of local ephemera from his readers.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
This series contains artifacts collected by Fred McGuinness during the course of his lifetime as a community volunteer and newspaperman. The artifacts include one telegraph sounder, four letterpress blocks, five typesetter rulers, two patches, two buttons, one token, one tin box, and ten sound recordings.
The telegraph sounder and relay system was possibly a gift from Bill Flett, a CPR superintendent. In his story “Canadian Pacific” published in Letters from Section 17 (1999), McGuinness mentions receiving a package containing telegraph equipment while he was working at the Brandon Sun. The tin box in McGuinness’ collection contained copies of telegraphs announcing the end of the war.
Two letterpress type blocks have the letters “WM” which may represent the initials of Fred McGuinness’ father William McGuinness. J.R. Langford donated the “Colquhoun and Beattie” type plate to McGuinness, a known collector of Brandon local history. Mr. Beattie had gifted the plate to Lanford’s father who worked as a barber in Brandon in 1906. The Brandon Sun letterpress is likely from the period when McGuinness worked at the Brandon Sun.
The five typesetter rulers come from a variety of typesetter and newspaper companies and include Teletypesetter (Chicago, IL), 6 Cutting Limited (Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg), Mergenthaler Linotype Company (Brooklyn, NY), and The Edmonton Journal.
The two buttons in the collection come from McGuinness’ time as a community-volunteer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. One button is from the Community Chest Drive, the other button is a guest badge from the 1953 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.
The two patches are from the Saskatchewan Golden Jubilee (1955). Photographs of Saskatchewan Jubilee events and participants wearing the patch on their blazers can be found in the McGuinness photograph collection.
McGuinness saved a Medicine Hat College Official Opening Token from October 3, 1971. McGuinness was likely at the opening as he was originally involved in the establishment of the junior college in the 1960s.
The sound recordings in McGuinness’ collection largely pertain to centennial events, which McGuinness helped organize. There is one box set containing four records of the Saskatchewan Golden Jubilee Choir. Tucked in this volume is an additional record of the Choir recorded at CKCK, Regina, Saskatchewan. Also stored within the box set was a copy “Canada, A Centennial Song.”
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives
Documents
McG 7 McGuinness artifacts and sound recordings inventory.pdf
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block, along which sewer pipe is being laid. Visible buildings and businesses include: The Fleming Block with Lowes Brothers Clothing and Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company, the Beaubier Block and its Empire Hotel, A.M. Percival (a grocer), the Brandon Hardware Company (600 block), and the Arlington Hotel (500 block) are visible along the north side of the avenue. The Bank of Hamilton Building is on the southeast corner of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 290. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Photograph has pen markings and publishing mark-up notes on front and back of matting
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the north side of the 900-block of Rosser Avenue, facing west from 9th Street. All the shops appear to be woodframed buildings; the sidewalk has yet to be installed and wooden planks have been laid down in front of the shops. Visible storefronts include: (left to right): Leask & Rose, general merchants (at the 11th Street intersect); Fortier & Bucke - Manufacturers' Agents and CPR Express Co.; The New Era - real estate office; Imperial Bank of Canada; Durand & Macdonald Law Office, T.D. McLean - jeweller; Deacon & Hooper - grocers; and J. Barker Vosburgh - Surgeon & Dentist. The building in the foreground has Rosser Avenue and 9th Street street signs affixed above the entrance to the building. A chuckwagon is parked in front of Fortier & Bucke.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Brandon.
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the remains of the Syndicate Block after the fire in January 1916. The building is situated on the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Rosser Avenue. Ice from the firefighting process covers the building. The tailor shop J.S. Laughton & Son (701 Rosser Avenue) can be seen on the north side of Rosser Avenue.
Photograph shows the recently constructed Strathcona Block. H. Lamontagne & Co. Ltd., Wholesale, occupies the ground floor. Scaffolding is suspended from the north side of the building. Buildings have yet to be erected to the north and south sides of the Strathcona Block.
Notes
Back of photograph is stamped: Hughes & Co. Ltd., 1009 Princess Ave., Brandon, Man.
According to the Henderson Directories 1967 there was a Robert A. Miller who was the manager of the manager of the FM station at CKX but it is unclear if this is the same Bob Miller that is in the photo
Custodial History
See Fonds level description for custodial history
Scope and Content
Image of a man, Bob Miller. Original image has a label reading "(H&S)" it is unclear what this means.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. A sign for Rylam Development is visible on the snow fence fencing off the demolition site.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking northeast from the steps of Harvest Hall. The Citizens' Science Centre (BUSU Building) is visible in the background.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking northeast.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking south/southeast.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking south/southeast.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking south/southeast.
Located at the centre of the Brandon University campus, the Physical Plant H-Hut was destroyed following the opening of the new $3.9M, 13,600 square-foot physical plant on 07 April 2010.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by McKee Archives project archivist Jill Sutherland.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the demolition of the Physical Plant H-Hut. The photograph is looking southeast. The John R. Brodie Science Centre, the Geology H-Hut, and portions of the Citizens' Science Building (BUSU Building), Knowles-Douglas expansion (KDC) and McMaster Hall are visible in the background.
The Curtis Block was built in 1900, possibly by Fred Stevens.
Custodial History
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of the Curtis Block in Baldur, MB. The Victoria Hall, for public performances, was located on the upper floor. A group of men, one holding a hockey stick, and a dog are standing in front of the street entrance to the building.
The Fowler Block in Baldur, MB was built in 1899 by Alex Fowler.
Custodial History
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of the Fowler Block in Baldur, MB. On the left is a shoe and harness shop owned and operated by the Fowlers from 1899-1978. On the right is J. Smith & Co. Merchants, a grocery and dry goods store. As of 2000, a grocery store still occupied the premises. Men are standing in front of the entrance to the two stores.
Richard Harold "Doc" Hannah was born on July 9, 1916 in Wakaw, SK. He obtained his BA in biology at McMaster University before joining the staff at Brandon College in 1948, teaching botany and zoology. In 1962, after completing a MSc degree at the University of Minnesota, he returned to Brandon College and was appointed head of his department. He served as faculty advisor to the Athletic Board for twenty years and for over 30 years, Doc was a coach, manager, trainer and the inspiration behind the Braandon College Cap and Brandon University Bobcat hockey teams. It was his involvement with College athletics that led to the nickname "Doc." When he retired in 1981, he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus. In 1993, Doc was inducted into the Brandon University Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame.
Doc married Reta Bernice (1914-2005) and they had three children: Richard, Sharon and Patrick. Doc was a member of the AF and AM (Tweed Lodge No. 113), the Royal Order of Scotland and Khartum Temple Shrine. He served as Grand Master of Manitoba (1984-1985). Richard Hannah died on September 6, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal 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 Doc Hannah about his career at Brandon College/Brandon University. Subjects include: JRC Evans and faculty members; chapel services; the Literary Society; sports; campus buildings; university status; college life and operations. The interviewer is Bill Burgess.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Access Restriction
Content Warning: This interview was recorded in the early 1980s, and contains some language that would now be considered racist in nature. Listener discretion is advised.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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