Oval-shaped head and shoulders image of Andrew Macdonald of Prince Albert, member, University Board of Governors, 1909-1910.

Jean E. Murray standing in some bushes at the side of a house; stairs in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Jean Elizabeth Murray was born on 29 April 1901 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the second of three daughters of Walter Charles and Christina (Cameron) Murray. In September 1909, Murray, her sisters, and her mother moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to join her father who had been made president of the University of Saskatchewan a year earlier. She completed her primary and secondary education at King Edward and Victoria schools and Nutana Collegiate and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (1922) and a Master of Arts (1923) from the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently received a second MA from the University of Toronto (1924) and a PhD from the University of Chicago (1936). After working as an instructor at the University of Alberta between 1928 and 1930 and at Regina College from 1930 to 1931, Murray joined the University of Saskatchewan as an instructor in history in 1931. She became an assistant professor in 1937 and a full professor in 1966. Upon her retirement in 1968, the University of Saskatchewan awarded Murray the rank of Professor Emeritus of History. After retirement she continued to work at the university, first as a sessional lecturer, then as chairman of the library committee of the history department. She was made acting archivist for the university in 1936, and was a leading member of several women's interest groups. Murray died at Saskatoon in 1981.

Milk test bottles displayed with a label.

Two-horse team [Percherons] hitched to a sleigh in front of a [castle school in Saskatoon]; brick building and man in background.

Bio/Historical Note: By 1910, 19 horses had been purchased by the College of Agriculture that were good work horses or suitable for student class work. Two were purebred Clydesdales. Three light horses were also purchased. One named Barney was used in the morning to deliver milk to faculty in Nutana and in the afternoon on the buggy as Dean Rutherford made his farm rounds. In 1920 the Province asked the Animal Husbandry Department to establish a Clydesdale breeding stud. This led to development of an outstanding collection of prize winning horses that became a focus of the Department. In the 1920s the Percheron and Belgian breeders also demanded support for their breeds and so they were included in the university stud and some cross breeding was undertaken. The campus horses were used for field work for all Departments, general hauling and site work for new buildings. An unofficial use was for the Lady Godiva ride across campus each fall. By the 1940s it was clear that the era of horses as a main source of farm power was over. The final stallion used in the breeding program was the imported "Windlaw Proprietor," grand champion stallion at the 1946 Royal Winter Fair.

A rack of eight "naked" chickens ready for grading.

Bio/Historical Note: The Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture gave every encouragement to poultry producers to improve the quality of their market. "Poultry Public", fattening stations were established and numerous killing and fattening demonstrations were given.

Five sheep grouped in a pen in the [Livestock Pavilion] with bleachers in background. Sign on post: "Pen C, Grade Wether Lambs from Range Ewes and sired by Suffolk Ram, Average Age 8 mos. 26 Days, Average Wght 132.8 lbs."

The Calling Bull family, a Métis family from Onion Lake, Saskatchewan

Studio portrait of Billy Marshall and family of Daysland, Alberta.

Photograph of Ham Gillis

Two men at left holding forks; another man holds a scraping stick; and two men with shovel and broom lean on the machine.

Case steamer sitting in the Engineering Building.

Students standing around a table with a plucked chicken; some students taking notes.

Bio/Historical Note: Walter C. Murray, University President, saw that the College of Agriculture would keep the university close to the life of the people. Between 1909-1912, before they had teaching space, the agriculture faculty developed the agriculture farm and traveled doing extension work, most significantly, with the Better Farming Train. The Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, W.R. Motherwell, supported extension work with tax revenue funds. In October 1912, the first agriculture class was taught. Both a 3-year associate course and a degree course were available. In 1937 the associate program became the School of Agriculture. The school responded to local farming problems by teaching and research and with new departments directed to these areas.

A group of pigs and a man with pail in hand at a trough in a pen. Other men and Main Barn in background.

Outdoor image of Archibald R. Weir, University Registrar, 1913-1951.

Bio/Historical Note: Archibald R. Weir was born in 1888 in Stonewall, Manitoba. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1911. Two years later he was appointed University registrar and retained that post until retirement in 1951. During his early years at the University he also taught English and Mathematics to Agriculture students. Weir died in 1957.

Group of men gathered in a semicircle around other men who appear be to holding chickens. Houses and a swing set in background.