This collection includes Howdy McPhail’s aerial photographs, predominantly of individual farms and views of towns and cities. Some images are of specific landmarks, scenic views, or fauna. All images are identified and a majority are dated. A second accrual contains examples of printed calendars and postcards that were sold by McPhail, as well as some correspondence and other business documentation. Images used in an exhibition curated by Helen Marzolf were added in 2018. Further accruals of correspondence, order forms, negatives and prints were interfiled in Series B.
The Skwara farm near Borden, Saskatchewan, has remained in the hands of a single family for over 70 years. The majority of that period – over 60 years – is documented in this fonds. In particular, as farmers such as the Skwaras are self-employed, details in income tax and Canadian Wheat Board permit books provide considerable insight into the changing nature of farming practices and the economic reality of farming over time. Blacksmithing costs; beekeeping; the nature of the crops being grown; diversification through livestock; cost (and availability) of transient help; and the number of acres under cultivation all combine to tell not only the personal story of one farm family, but also farming as a business. A plow, purchased in 1945 for $10.50, is replaced in 1950 by one costing $345.00; a tractor in 1967 cost more than a house in 1961.
Somewhere north of Wosleley, Saskatchewan in the near-by Qu'Appelle Valley. Swathed fields of crop formed into stooks awaiting threshing. Barbed wire fence and dirt road in the foreground.
A 11.5 x 20 cm booklet from the Indian Head Agricultural Society containing agricultural information a list of 1921 events and the organization's goals for 1921
This fonds contains correspondence, reports, publications and memoranda relating to the research activities of Herman Austenson, as well as some administrative records relating to the department of Crop Science and Plant Ecology, and the research activities of the Crop Development Centre. Some of the materials were created by J.B. Harrington; these files have been identified whenever possible.
This fonds contains material that documents G.M. Simpson's interests and activities during his career at the U of S. Of particular note is the extensive collection of photographs by John Diduck and Rudolph Kaul collected by Dr. Simpson documenting Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, the university and in particular the Department of Crop Science and the Crop Development Centre.
This fonds contains the autobiographies of Tony Wilson and his brother, Walter Wilson. Both accounts recall life on a homestead near Bengough, Saskatchewan just after the turn of the century, as well as their terms of service during World War II. The autobiography by Tony Wilson includes several copies of family photographs.
This fonds contains materials relating to Sophia Dixon's interests in international relations; the various ideologies current in the 1930s and 1940s, notably labour and worker's rights, socialism, communism, social credit, and the rise of fascism during this period; local and international women's organizations, etc. In particular, this fonds provides a comprehensive record of the early Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in Saskatchewan and Canada; the Farmer-Labor Group, Saskatchewan Farmer's Union, and United Farmers of Canada. Also included is a series of books and other reference materials collected by Charles and Sophia Dixon.
A display created by the Rural Municipality of Laird is seen. Samples of grain, spices and other agricultural products are present along side local wild flowers and wildlife. A sign is present to the right stating that "Rural Municipality of Laird is located 44 miles North of Saskatoon; Settled in 1901 with a population of [2960?] which was 75% being of Mennonite nationality and Won Second Prize in Community Progress Competitions 1930."
Bio/historical note: The Community Progress Competitions were conceived by Dr. W. J. Black of the Colonization Department of the C.N.R. to ascertain what contributions people of Continental European origin had made to community life in districts in which they possessed a resident population of 70% or more from the first or second generation, and to what extent they stimulated further community progress and development. They were judged on the basis of their educational efforts; agricultural development; citizenship, co-operation, and social welfare; arts and handicrafts; and general activities. These records were obtained by Dr. W. C. Murray in his capacity as one of the judges of the Community Progress Competitions. The records concentrate mainly on the first two years, 1930 and 1931, of the proposed five year competition for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta residents. Only records on the Saskatchewan communities are included. They contain the assessments of the judges on community life on the districts that entered the competition. Financial statements and maps of many of the rural municipalities of Saskatchewan that entered the competition are included. Also, photographs of the districts that entered the competition for the years of 1930 and 1931, including many of the Edenwold district are included. The letters included are mainly those from the Western Region of the Department of Colonization and Agriculture of the Canadian National Railways to Dr. W. C. Murray.
