University of Winnipeg Archives

Image closeup of the digitization desk in the UW Archives Reading room. A set of image slides in a holder are being prepared to be digitized with a flatbed scanner and desktop computer combination.

Archival digitizing is about both capturing a record as well as maintaining its legitimacy as a historical record. The process of digitization should documented and auditable in addition to producing a high quality digital record.

An image of the digitization desk in the UW Archives Reading Room. The desk uses a flatbed scanner and dual screen desktop computer with special software to capture scans to archival specifications.

Digitization is an important tool in ensuring archival records remain accessible, but its complicated work!

Its more than a simple scan; involving assessment, digitization, metadata compilation, quality assurance, and the ongoing storage and maintenance of digital records.

Today!

Axworthy is well known for his longtime role in politics, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1996-2000), and as president of UW (2004-2014).

Contact the archives if you are interested in exploring more from the collection - main.lib.umanitoba.ca/marketing-an... .

Item is a VHS recording from CBC Manitoba showing the groundbreaking, speeches, and construction of new.... United College University of Winnipeg Archival Footage from CBC Manitoba

We have a new video on our Youtube!

This is footage in the Marketing and Communications fonds is from CBC Manitoba. It shows the building of new facilities at United College (now UW) and a speech from professor Lloyd Axworthy regarding urban development in Winnipeg.

Hear from members of the Two-Spirit Archives Advisory Council at this event.

Image depicting a portrait of Elsie E. Moore, 1902 Wesley College Arts graduate, 1902. University of Winnipeg Archives, Western Canada Pictorial Index, University of Winnipeg Collection [A0494-15827]

Image depicting a portrait of Gordon Cruikshanks, United College Arts graduate, 1945. University of Winnipeg Archives, Western Canada Pictorial Index, University of Winnipeg Collection [A0497-15893].

Congratulations new fall graduates! Celebrate your academic successes and journey toward the future.

Many graduates get convocation photos taken to mark this important milestone. Do you have a photo as stylish as these past graduates?

Wesley College students from the Class of '20 seated around a table with the remains of a meal. Back row, left to right: George Dyson, Arthur Pigott, Ilo McHaffie, Victor Riddle, Lynn Salton, [unidentified woman], Dwight Ridd, Ada Banks, Alice Jennings, Ivan McHaffie, Adam Morten, [unidentified woman]; Front row, left to right: [unidentified man], Beulah Ross, Wilhelmine Stephens, Nellie Edwards, John George, Edith Nelson, Carl Halstead, Elin Anderson, Oscar Alsaker, 13 Oct. 1919. University of Winnipeg Archives, Ilo McHaffie fonds [UW 97.029-1-2-6].

Celebrating Thanksgiving Day on campus with friends has a long history at UW.

From the Ilo McHaffie Fonds, here is a photo of Wesley College students enjoying a Thanksgiving meal together in 1919. Wesley College is one of the preceding colleges that became the University of Winnipeg in 1967.

Image depicting a Wesley College student identified as Murchison studying in his bed in his dormitory room, c. 1929. University of Winnipeg Archives, Western Canada Pictorial Index, University of Winnipeg Collection [A0578-18185].

Image depicting two students studying inside a Wesley College residence room, 1903. University of Winnipeg Archives, Western Canada Pictorial Index, University of Winnipeg Collection [A0621-19272].

Image depicting students studying in the upper section of the Library possibly including Velma Kelley, Rex Grose, Lenore Lytle, Grant Smith, Jim Carson, Gordon Gilbert, Elliott Bolton, Pat Snyder, Evelyn Le Page, and Margaret Graham. The Library was part of the 1934 addition to Wesley College, 1937. University of Winnipeg Archives, Western Canada Pictorial Index, University of Winnipeg Collection [A0498-15935].

Fall Reading Week is here! Take some time to de-stress and study before classes resume October 20th.
Winter Reading Week has been around a while, but a Fall break in Manitoba is actually relatively new. UWinnipeg was the first University in the province to enact a Fall Reading week starting in 2016.

This event is hosted in collaboration of the UW Library and Archives with the Department of Women and Gender Studies.

The late Sharron Proulx-Turner was a Two-Spirt Métis poet and author, an Elder, a Sweatlodge keeper, a Sundancer, a mother, and a Grandmother. Sharron’s children, Barbra Horsefall and Graham Angus will join us to celebrate Sharron’s writing and her contributions to the Two-Spirit community.

Digital Poster for "Inside a Thousand Eyes: The work and impact of Sharron Proulx-Turner. Lists the event as on Wednesday, October 22 from 5-8pm at the University of Winnipeg Convocation Hall and as a free event open to all.

On October 22 (5 - 8pm) in Convocation Hall - Inside a Thousand Eyes: the work and impact of Sharron Proulx Turner.

This is a donation from Catherine MacDonald, who was a United Church of Canada Archivist from 1975-1986, started the historical research consultancy Prairie Connections, and is a published author.

Come visit the UW Archives to explore the collection! - main.lib.umanitoba.ca/catherine-ma...

Image of three cassette tapes (uw_96.010) layed on a table from the Catherine MacDonald Fonds that contain interviews for the Crowe Case Oral History Project.

In response, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) formed an ad-hoc committee and released a report in 1959 that concluded Crowe's firing was unjust and violated academic tenure. Since the Crowe Case, CAUT has continually maintained an Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.

Image of a set of cassette tapes (uw_96.010) stacked sideways in a box from the Catherine MacDonald Fonds that contain interviews for the Crowe Case Oral History Project.

An image of textual records from the Catherine MacDonald Fonds related to the Crowe Case Oral History project. The records come from files uw_23.29-1-1 and uw_23.29-1-2.

A new accession (2023.029) is now available! These records are from an oral history project by Catherine MacDonald and Shirley Payment on the "Crowe Case". In 1958, the firing of United College professor Harry Sherman Crowe raised questions on the security of academic freedom and tenure nationally.

If you have a donation, let us know at archives@uwinnipeg.ca or 204-786-9162. The University Archivist will discuss the donation with you, arrange to appraise the condition and content of the records, and arrange for its transport to the Archives should it be accepted.

The UW Archives accepts donations connected to its specific collection mandate, which covers the University of Winnipeg and its preceding colleges, community or activists organizations related to Winnipeg's Downtown and West End neighborhoods , as well as Indigenous organizations and individuals.

An image of a set of donated records with a deed of gift and a stewardship form laid out on a table in the reading room of the UW Archives.

An essential part for any donation to an archives is a deed of gift signed by the donor and the University. It transfers the ownership to the Archives so that staff can better manage and share the records, but also establishes any usage limitations or restrictions placed by the donor.

Archivists have other tools at their disposal like specialized boxes. While more expensive than regular containers, archival boxes and folders are produced to be free of lignin and other acidic compounds. this is to prevent the containers from accelerating the degradation of the records they store.

It is generally recommended to keep most records between 18-20°C and 30-50% relative humidity. Certain records depending on format and chemical stability are kept in cold storage. High humidity is especially dangerous as it encourages the growth of molds and attracts pests who eat records.

An image in the rare book room featuring a temperature/humidity sensor and a desiccant pack used to stabilize room humidity.

An image of a shelf in the rare book room in which four archival boxes containing historical records are stored.

An image of the door to the Rare Book Room at UW Archives, where archival records are securely stored.

An important part of archival work is ensuring that historical records, regardless of format, remain safe so they can be accessed far into the future. This includes keeping them secured from theft, but also safe from the risks of environmental factors like pests or high humidity and temperature.

October is 2SLGBTQ+ History Month | University of Winnipeg News 2SLGBTQ+ History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and deepen our knowledge of the history, contributions, and courage of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities.

October is 2SLGBTQ+ History Month!

On October 22, @uwpglibrary.bsky.social, @uwarchives.bsky.social, and the Department of Women's & Gender Studies will host a special event, “Inside a Thousand Eyes: The Work and Impact of Sharron Proulx Turner."

LEARN MORE ⬇️

The Wesmen were first named in 1966, when the University of Winnipeg was still known as the United College, which explains the the UC patch on the front of the jacket.

#ArchivesUniqueItems

An image of a United College sweater from alumnus and basketball player Bob Law for the 1963-1964 season. Manufactured by Harv-Al Sportswear Ltd. of Winnipeg. Size 42. Marked on the shoulders with "Forward" and "20", Bob's position and number. University of Winnipeg Archives, Wesmen Collection [15.013-8-6].

An image of a light box made in 2001 displaying the Wesmen logo with a standard electrical fitting. University of Winnipeg Archives, Wesmen Collection [15.013-8-5].

While we collect many archival records, we also have some unique and unusual artifacts preserved! This includes artifacts from UW's sports teams, the Wesmen. Highlighted from their collection is a light-box sign from 2001, as well as a 1963-1964 jacket from alumnus and Basketball player Bob Law.

A screenshot of the resources list section of the Truth and Reconciliation Collection hosted on Archive-it.org. The left side of the page includes filters to narrow down the collection, while the right portion is a collection list that includes metadata about each resource with an access URL. A search bar is located at the top.

This is a collection of captured webpages, blogs, files, and other online resources that are about Manitoba's ongoing involvement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It includes topics like survivors’ stories, apologies, responses, cultural events, and more.

A screenshot of the top of the Truth and Reconciliation Collection webpage hosted on Archive-it.org. Includes information about the collection including that it has been actively archiving since July 2016 and was started in collaboration with the University of Manitoba Libraries, the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation, and the Library and Archives of Canada.

This week special events are on campus for The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30th. Take a look at UW news for more info!

UW also hosts the Truth and Reconciliation Collection on Archive-it if you are researching Manitoba-specific materials - archive-it.org/collections/....

An image of the Reading Room of the UW Archives and United Church Archives. In the centre of the photo is a row of long tables with a large number of chairs arranged around.

Did you know you can book class visits to the Archives?

If you want to learn more about the process of historical research or explore a collection as a group, contact us at archives@uwinnipeg.ca or 204-786-9162 to request an appointment.

A photograph of the mezzanine workspace above the UW Archives and United Church Archives Reading Room. The spiral stairs are in the foreground with desks, shelves, and archival supplies stretching out into the background.

We welcome everyone to come in and work directly with real historical documents and photographs. But when handling old records, its important to be careful to ensure they remain for future use.

More info about Reading Room etiquette is posted on our website - archives.uwinnipeg.ca/using-the-ar... .

Pages 40 and 41 of the 1977 UW Yearbook, showing a selection of images depicting students at various events on campus in colour. University of Winnipeg Archives, All Colleges Fonds [AC-9-62].

Welcome alumni, family, and friends to Homecoming 2025! This year multiple events will be held between September 15th to 27th, including a campus walking tour on the 19th.

Visit us on the tour to see records and photos about classes 1975 - 1979. Learn more here - www.uwinnipeg.ca/alumni/alumn....