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Horse and buggies travelling on Rosser Avenue

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13699
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.9
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Physical Description
6.5" x 4.25" (b/w)
Material Details
on matting
Physical Condition
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
History / Biographical
Photograph of possible Dakota from Sioux Valley in Brandon for the summer fair.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block. Businesses visible in the Fleming Block include: Lowes Brothers Clothing, Robert Hall [Insurance Broker], Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company. Businesses visible in the Beaubier Block include the Empire Hotel. Businesses east of the Empire Hotel are grocer A.M. Percival and the Brandon Hardware Company. A number of Aboriginal peoples are driving horse and buggies west along Rosser Avenue as spectators look on.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 294 July 1906. One photograph (20-2009.10) is glued below and two others are glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Name Access
Fleming Block
Lowes Brothers Clothing
Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company
Empire Hotel
D.W. Beaubier Block
A.M. Percival
Brandon Hardware Company
Rosser Avenue
Subject Access
Street scene
Transportation
downtown
grocers
storefronts
dogs
Aboriginals
First Nations
horses
buggies
insurance agents
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Images
Show Less

Horseback riders on Rosser Avenue

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13700
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.10
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Physical Description
7" x 4.5" (b/w)
Material Details
on matting
Physical Condition
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
History / Biographical
Photograph of possible Dakota from Sioux Valley in Brandon for the summer fair.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block. Businesses visible in the Fleming Block include: Lowes Brothers Clothing, Robert Hall [Insurance Broker], Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company. Businesses visible in the Beaubier Block include the Empire Hotel. Businesses east of the Empire Hotel are grocer A.M. Percival and the Brandon Hardware Company. A number of Aboriginal peoples are travelling on horseback west along Rosser Avenue as spectators look on.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 293. One photograph (20-2009.9) is glued above and two others are glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Name Access
Fleming Block
Lowes Brothers Clothing
Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company
Empire Hotel
D.W. Beaubier Block
A.M. Percival
Brandon Hardware Company
Rosser Avenue
Subject Access
Street scene
Transportation
downtown
grocers
storefronts
Aboriginals
First Nations
horses
insurance agents
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Images
Show Less

Horse and carriages travelling on Rosser Avenue

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13702
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.12
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Physical Description
6.5" x 4.25" (b/w)
Material Details
on matting
Physical Condition
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
History / Biographical
Photograph of possible Dakota from Sioux Valley in Brandon for the summer fair.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block. Businesses visible in the Fleming Block include: Lowes Brothers Clothing, Robert Hall [Insurance Broker], Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company. Businesses visible in the Beaubier Block include the Empire Hotel. Businesses east of the Empire Hotel are grocer A.M. Percival and the Brandon Hardware Company. A number of Aboriginal peoples are driving horse and carriages west along Rosser Avenue as spectators look on.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 295 July 1906. One photograph (20-2009.11) is glued above and two others are glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Name Access
Fleming Block
Lowes Brothers Clothing
Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company
Empire Hotel
D.W. Beaubier Block
A.M. Percival
Brandon Hardware Company
Rosser Avenue
Subject Access
Street scene
Transportation
downtown
grocers
storefronts
dogs
Aboriginals
First Nations
horses
insurance agents
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Images
Show Less

Horse and buggies travelling east on Rosser Avenue

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13769
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.80
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1906]
Physical Description
6.5" x 4.25" (b/w)
Material Details
on matting
Physical Condition
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
History / Biographical
Photograph of possible Dakota from Sioux Valley in Brandon for the summer fair.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block. Businesses visible in the Beaubier Block include the Empire Hotel. Businesses east of the Empire Hotel are grocer A.M. Percival, the Brandon Hardware Company, and the Arlington Hotel. A number of Aboriginal peoples are driving horse and buggies east along Rosser Avenue as large numbers of spectators look on.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 298. One photograph (20-2009.79) is glued above, another (20-2009.81) adjacent. One other is glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Name Access
Empire Hotel
D.W. Beaubier Block
A.M. Percival
Brandon Hardware Company
Rosser Avenue
Subject Access
Street scene
Transportation
downtown
grocers
storefronts
dogs
Aboriginals
First Nations
horses
buggies
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals camping at the Brandon Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13834
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.145
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Aboriginal camp site at the Brandon Fair. Pictured are wagon carts, tipis, and canvas tents.
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals camping at the Brandon Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13835
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.146
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Aboriginal camp site at the Brandon Fair. Pictured are wagon carts and canvas tents. Two children can be seen sitting in a wagon.
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
children
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals at the Brandon Summer Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13836
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.147
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of Aboriginal peoples sitting near a fair building. Several members are dressed in regalia.
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
children
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals at the Brandon Summer Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13837
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.148
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of Aboriginal peoples standing in a circle surrounding a group in traditional regalia. An American flag is visible in the foreground.
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
children
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals at the Brandon Summer Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13838
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.149
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the backside of a group Aboriginal peoples dressed in traditional regalia. An American flag is visible in the background
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
children
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Aboriginals at the Brandon Summer Fair

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions13839
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Accession Number
20-2009
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
20-2009.150
Accession Number
20-2009
GMD
graphic
Date Range
1923
Physical Description
5" x 7" (b/w)
Material Details
reproduction
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the backside of a pair of Aboriginal men dressed in traditional regalia. Both are wearing beaded clothing and one is wearing a deer head headdress. An American flag is visible in the background
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: 6 prints [20-2009.145 to 20-2009.150]. Indians at the Brandon Fair. Camping off 18th St. back of fair grounds. 1923
Name Access
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Brandon Summer Fair
Subject Access
fairs
summer fair
tipis
wagons
children
First Nations
Aboriginals
Storage Location
RG 5 photograph storage drawer 2 (hanging photos)
Arrangement
From 2009 loose photos, from File 13
Images
Show Less

Album - Michipicoten First Nations

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions14211
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1900s]
Accession Number
1-2015
Part Of
Fred McGuinness collection
Description Level
Item
Series Number
McG 9
Item Number
1-2015.277.A3
Accession Number
1-2015
GMD
graphic
Date Range
[1900s]
Physical Description
4" x 2.5" (b/w)
Material Details
mounted in album
Physical Condition
Photo is warped
Scope and Content
Photograph shows two aboriginal women standing before a tipi in the brush.
Notes
Writing beneath the photograph in the album reads: At the Indian Settlement. Based on provenience of images in the album, the aboringals in question may be from the Michipicoten band.
Subject Access
Natives
Aboriginals
First Nations
tipis
women
Storage Location
1-2015 McG 1.4 Box 1 (in stacks, top shelf)
Images
Show Less
Part Of
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript Collection
Description Level
Fonds
GMD
textual records
Date Range
1971-1972
Accession Number
3-2013
Part Of
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript Collection
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
3-2013
GMD
textual records
Date Range
1971-1972
Physical Description
24 cm textual records
Material Details
Photocopies of originals
History / Biographical
The Toal Commission was a Commission of Inquiry conducted by James Toal at the Prince Edward Hotel in Brandon,MB from 1971-1972. The purpose of this inquiry was to investigage a report published by the Brandon Police Department entitled, "Problem Metis Families, City of Brandon," as well as allegations of police harassment in the City of Brandon from January 1, 1970, onward. The report was prepared by the Brandon Police Department following a petition submitted to Mayor Wilton. The petition, signed by approximately thirty residents of Brandon's East End, requested that the city prohibit the sale of homes in their neighborhood to Native families. A copy of the report was obtained by the Brandon Sun, which generated a considerable public response that resulted in the investigation in question.
Custodial History
Records were ordered from the Archives of Manitoba by Brandon University Archivist Tom Mitchell and Brandon University history professor Jim Naylor in 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created over the course of the Toal Commission. It includes copies of verbatim transcripts of the Toal Commission hearings, as well as a commission of inquiry, a report on the commission, and indexes, which list the witnesses and evidence presented for each day of the hearings.
Notes
Description by Jason Dooley (October 2016).
Name Access
James Toal
City of Brandon
Brandon Police Department
Brandon Sun
City of Winnipeg
Prince Edward Hotel
J.S. Walker
K.P. Regier
Chief Constable D.A. McNamee
Inspector L. White
Constable Keith Yorke
John Richard Bell
Alan Ross
John Langston Tyman
Mayor W.H.K. Wilton
R.G. Lagimodiere
Edith May Bryan
C.W. Gordon
Mr. Houle
Archie Joseph Nabess
The Canadian Native Justice League
Manitoba Indian Brotherhood
Andy Moir
Brandon Friendship Center
Indian Affairs Department
Keystone Center
Mr. Meighen
Ronald Stoney
Thomas Stoney
Henry Hunter
Marie Hunter
Sharon Pompana
Edgar Lee Pompana
Howard Clyde Sandy
Sanderson family
Lorna Esther Wright
Dorothy Sarah Watt
Wayne James Clifford Desjarlais
Elizabeth Edith Oudie
Mary Wilma Wasicuna
Beulah Faye Langford
P. Schacter
Donald James McKay
Leo John Wayne Porter
Isobel Grasby
Gladys Pasche
Harold Weitman
George Munroe
Dorothy Betz
Roger Obansawin
Peter Whitecloud
Dr. Adam Cuthand
Kenneth Neil McCaskill
Rene Joseph Houle
Carole Diane Lavalle
Brian Norman Otis
IMPACTE
Indian Metis Project for Careers Through Teacher Education
Walter David Dennehardt
George Melvin Fleury
Frank Elding Price
Dr. Samuel W. Corrigan
Ruth McRae
Eddie Gosnold
William Wolski
Beth Cale
Clarence C. Mitchell
Ragnar B. Nygaard
Mrs. R. Nygaard
Marlene Brichon
Joseph A. Farion
Calvin Gerry
Helen Bell
Kenneth Bell
Angus Spence
J.W. Potter
Donald Pratt
Henry Carroll
Subject Access
Aboriginals
First Nations
Metis
race relations
government commissions
indiginous peoples
Storage Location
2013 accessions
Related Material
Toal Commission Review - F.C. Muldoon Commissioner - Review the Toal Commission's conclusions - review report (handwritten and typed copy), notes on testimonies and correspondence, Library and Archives Canada Inventory no. 6822 Finding aid no. MSS2374
Toal Commission - Archives of Manitoba
John Langston Tyman fonds (70-1997 & 9-2001)
Audrey Silvius collection (21-2000)
Show Less

RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds

http://archives.brandonu.ca/en/permalink/descriptions4351
Part Of
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Description Level
Fonds
GMD
multiple media
Date Range
1884-1992
Part Of
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Description Level
Fonds
GMD
multiple media
Date Range
1884-1992
Physical Description
9.46 m textual records; 1919 photographs & graphics
History / Biographical
Brandon, Manitoba was incorporated as a city in 1881. In 1882, led by Charles Whitehead and a small Board of Directors that included J.W. Vantassel, Charles Pilling, George Halse, J.E. Smith, William Johnson, R.T. Evans, and Thomas Lockhart, it was decided to hold an agricultural exhibition. These men were all involved in the farm business in one way or another, and they wanted an opportunity to help residents realize the agricultural potential of the region. In October of that year, the fledgling community held its first agricultural exhibition . The fair was held in downtown Brandon at what was known as “Market Square.” Market Square was two acres of land located on Princess Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Streets. Due to poor weather, and the fact that not many people were ready to show animals and grain, there was a relatively small turnout. The following year was much improved. There were 730 entries into the exhibition. By 1884, the Board of Directors of the Brandon Agricultural Society, which was in charge of the exhibition, realized that they were in poor financial shape, to the point of being personally out of pocket. It was realized that October was not the best time for farmers to be leaving their farms to go to an exhibition. In 1888, it was decided to move the exhibition to the summer time, when it was much easier for people to attend. The first Brandon Summer Fair was held in July 1889, and it was a resounding success. The Board of Directors had added many items of interest to appeal to the entire public, not just agricultural people. In 1892, the Western Agricultural and Arts Association (WAAA) was formally established to take over duties from the Brandon Agricultural Society. However, it was not until 1897 that the WAAA held its first meeting. There is no explanation as to why there is a five year gap between the formation and the first meeting of this organization. 1897 was the turning point of the Brandon Exhibition. The fair was now firmly established in Brandon, and the Board of Directors was instrumental in ensuring that it remained so. This was done by petitioning to both the municipal and provincial governments for grant money. As well, the Board booked midway and grandstand acts that would bring the city dwellers to the agricultural exhibition. There were also early attempts at holding an agricultural exhibition in the winter. The first such attempt was in 1884. There was also a Spring Stallion show held in 1891. By 1904, however, a petition by J.D. McGregor had gone out to formally establish a winter exhibition. This effort also failed, but by 1906, it was decided by businessmen, politicians, and farm representatives in Brandon, including McGregor, to organize a winter fair. Rather than seeing this new fair as competition, the Board of Directors of the summer fair felt that it would complement their exhibition. The new fair would remain primarily agricultural. The first winter fair was held in 1906. While the two fairs were not amalgamated, they did share the same secretary-manager. The secretary-manager was responsible for the day to day management of the fair, as well as keeping track of meetings and decisions reached by the various fair boards and committees. In 1907, the Brandon Winter Fair and Livestock Association (BWFLA) was formed to act primarily as a land-holding joint stock company. The following year the Provincial Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association (PWFFSA), an entirely separate organization from the BWFLA, was formed to manage the activities of the winter fair. The PWFFSA name was soon changed to the Manitoba Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association (MWFFSA). By 1906, Brandon could boast two full size exhibitions, one in the summer and one in the late winter, both of which were considered to be premiere events. In 1908, the Brandon summer fair was renamed the Inter-Provincial Exhibition, and in 1912 it held it’s first Traveller’s Day, an event which would soon become an important addition to the fair and is still in existence today. It is thought that the name “Traveller’s Day” came from the fact that it was held on a Saturday, a day when many people could travel to Brandon for the exhibition. In 1913, Brandon was bestowed with the honour of hosting the Dominion Exhibition. This was a national exhibition sponsored by the federal government. It was held in a different city every year. There were several cities vying for the 1913 Dominion Exhibition, but it was Brandon that impressed the sponsors the most. With the government funds received for this honour, the Board of Directors supervised the building of a new grandstand, display buildings, and racetrack, as well as the general expansion and improvements to the fairgrounds. In the spring of 1912, it was decided by the Board of Directors of the winter fair that the facilities they were currently housed in were inadequate for their needs. The mayor and city clerk of Brandon went to the provincial legislature in order to request that there be an amendment added to the Brandon city charter. This amendment would allow the city to guarantee bonds issued by the winter fair board to help pay for the construction of a new facility. This request was granted, and a $70 000 addition was built next to the original winter fair building. The new building was opened in 1913. Throughout the First World War, both the winter fair and Provincial Exhibition buildings were used for the war effort. There was one distinct difference however. The summer fair Board was able to negotiate a deal with the army that enabled it to reclaim the fair buildings during fair week. The winter fair, however, had to give up the idea of holding fairs in 1915 and 1916. It was not until 1917, that the winter fair was able to resume. During this time, due to the financial problems that had beset the winter fair, the two exhibitions considered amalgamation. The Board of Directors of the winter fair felt that because they were the smaller of the two fairs, their interests would be swallowed up by the summer fair. The winter fair withdrew from the negotiations to amalgamate. With this rather sudden turn of events, the Board of Directors of the summer fair petitioned the government to be allowed to incorporate. This was granted, and in 1920, the WAAA was incorporated as the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. From 1920, the summer fair was officially known as the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. This was the first time that the summer fair was incorporated, and received the “status and financial assistance” that came with incorporation. More problems beset the winter fair in the 1920s. In 1920, a fire burned down the winter fair pavilion, located at the south end of the winter fair buildings, and caused the Board to cancel the 1921 winter fair. It was not until 1922, that a new building was completed. By 1929, both fairs were well regarded throughout Canada. In 1929, a decade long Depression hit the west. While many fairs closed during this time, Brandon struggled to keep its open. The Directors of both fairs felt that the agricultural shows “encouraged excellence at a time when faith and enthusiasm were at a low ebb.” The summer fair proved to be quite successful during the Depression, likely as a result of the few moments one was able to forget one’s troubles while there. The winter fair was not quite as successful, although both fairs received government grants and work relief projects. There was little new entertainment in these exhibitions. There were changes about to manifest themselves at the summer fair, however. While the winter fair had representatives from various associations on its Board of Directors, the summer fair Board of Directors was a small close-knit group of men. Citizens saw entry into this elite group as elusive and difficult. To ward off the possibility of the Board becoming a “self-sustaining clique,” that only chose Directors from within, it was decided by several citizens to try and elect some new blood into the fair Board. In 1933, there was a general election for the Board. Instead of the usual men shuffling positions, there were forty-four nominations for the twenty positions. When the voting was all over, seven new men sat on the Board. Despite some inner rumblings, especially on the summer fair Board over the next few years, both exhibitions survived the Depression. During the Second World War the fairs once again were forced to operate under adversity. Once again, the buildings were requisitioned for the army, although they were released during fair week. The summer fair was forced to make several concessions, and the winter fair was relocated to the summer fair grounds for the duration. The winter fair did not survive the Second World War intact. Due to financial reasons, in December of 1945, the Board of Directors turned the winter fair buildings over to the City of Brandon. By 1946, the BWFLA, which was the joint-stock land holding company, had ceased operations because the city now controlled the winter fair land and buildings. The next fifteen years would be a time of rebuilding for both of Brandon’s exhibitions. Children especially were more active participants in the agricultural exhibitions. The summer fair continued to diversify and look for new ways of entertaining the public at large. The winter fair remained primarily agricultural. By the end of the 1950s the winter fair, which was used to struggling, was now both successful and stable; and the summer fair, a perennial success, was starting to fade. By 1969, both the winter and summer fair Boards had realized that amalgamation was the best possible decision, both practically and financially, for the future of the two fairs. On 29 October, 1969, the two exhibitions amalgamated to become the Manitoba Exhibition Association. The reconstituted Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba was now responsible for both the winter and summer fairs. A new building was erected on the summer fair grounds to house both of the exhibitions. On 2 April 1973, the Keystone Centre was officially opened at the winter fair, although it had been in use since October of the preceding year. In 1970, Manitoba’s Centennial, it was decided that an organization in Manitoba would receive the title of “Royal,” as a way to celebrate the centennial. Although many organizations applied for the honour, it was the Brandon winter fair that received the accolades. The winter fair was bestowed with the title “Royal”, and became known as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. In 1975, a third exhibition was added, this time a purely agricultural fall show known as the Agricultural Exhibition, or AgEx. This fair was partly organized on behalf of the cattle growers, who found that the summer and winter fairs did not give them adequate time and space to properly show their cattle. The return to a fall show, which had not existed since 1888, would be the return to a purely agricultural exhibition. This show was to be primarily a show and sale event. On 3 November 1975, the first AgEx was opened to resounding success. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and AgEx are all still in existence in Brandon. They are regarded as three of the most important events to take place annually in the city.
Custodial History
These files were housed with the Manitoba Exhibition Association until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of textual records and photographs comprised of the records from the three annual exhibitions that are held in Brandon, Manitoba: the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and the Agricultural Exhibition (Ag-Ex). The textual records include prize lists, programs, minutes, financial, administrative files, original results, scrapbooks, tickets, news releases, contracts, by laws, documents as well as a miscellaneous section. There are approximately 1846 photographs that include scenes from these three exhibitions. These records provide a unique perspective on the development of agriculture and rural life in southwestern Manitoba. Fairs such as these have been and remain prime media of farm improvement, technological and scientific advancement in rural Canada, and the promoters of country living. These fairs also reflected the long tradition inherited from Britain and Europe of country fairs as centers of entertainment, social interchange and diversion. These records are a principal source of information about the most broadly based vocational, entertainment and social events held on an annual basis in southwestern Manitoba over the last century. The records are vital to academic research on agriculture or fairs, individual biography, or community history.
Notes
The RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association finding aid was created by Karyn (Riedel) Taylor with the exception of Series 9 and the accompanying database, which were created by Donica Belisle. This finding aid was created in August 1999.
Name Access
Charles Whitehead
J.W. Vantassel
Charles Pilling
George Halse
Subject Access
Brandon Agricultural Society
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
Agricultural Exhibition
Brandon Manitoba
AgEx
Repro Restriction
Researchers are responsible for observing Canadian copyright restrictions.
Finding Aid
Available
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Storage Range
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
Related Material
Additional records regarding the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and AgEx are housed at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association offices. To gain access to these records, it is necessary to contact the general manager of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association.
Arrangement
The fonds is divided into sous-fonds by exhibition. There is a Provincial Exhibition sous-fonds, a Royal Manitoba Winter Fair sous-fonds, an Ag-Ex sous-fonds, and a Miscellaneous sous-fonds that holds information that could not be easily broken down into one exhibition. The arrangement is as follows: RG 2 Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds RG2SF1 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba 1.1 Documents 1.2 Minutes 1.3 Financial Records 1.4 Administrative Files 1.5 Prize Lists and Programs 1.6 News Releases 1.7 Original Results 1.8 Tickets 1.9 Photographs 1.10 Scrapbooks 1.11 Miscellaneous RG2SF2 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair 2.1 Documents 2.2 Minutes 2.3 Financial Records 2.4 Administrative Files 2.5 Prize Lists and Programs 2.6 News Releases 2.7 Original Results 2.8 Tickets 2.9 Photographs 2.10 Scrapbooks 2.11 Miscellaneous RG2SF3 AgEx 3.4 Administrative Files 3.5 Prize Lists and Programs 3.6 News Releases 3.7 Original Results 3.9 Photographs RG2SF4 Miscellaneous 4.1 Documents 4.2 Minutes 4.3 Financial Records 4.4 Administrative Files 4.9 Photographs 4.10 Scrapbooks 4.11 Miscellaneous
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