View of the original wood framed building beside the permanent stone building. Rugby Chapel at left to Emmanuel College.

Bio/Historical Note: Emmanuel College pre-dates the University of Saskatchewan by some thirty years. The College was founded at Prince Albert in 1879 by Rt. Rev. John McLean as a “training College for Native Helpers.” In 1883 by an Act of Parliament, Emmanuel College was incorporated as "The University of Saskatchewan.” When the provincial university was established in Saskatoon in 1909, the Synod decided to relinquish its title and opt for affiliation to the new university. Emmanuel sold its old site to the federal government, to be used for a penitentiary, and shipped all its belongings to Saskatoon in four boxcars. On unbroken prairie on the east side of the river, professors, students and carpenters began to construct a series of wooden buildings. This “College of Shacks” was moved between 1910 and 1912 to the campus. In 1913 Rugby Chapel, so named because it had been funded by the staff and students of Rugby School, England, was moved to the campus from Prince Albert. A stone clad, permanent college building was constructed between 1911 and 1912. Designed by Brown and Vallance, the building contained residential space for students and the principal, classrooms and a refectory in the basement. In 1916 the college was used as a military hospital for returned soldiers and in 1918, as a hospital during the outbreak of influenza. St. Chad College was established in Regina in 1907 for the training of divinity students. It amalgamated with Emmanuel College to form the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad, continuing as an affiliate college of the University of Saskatchewan. The Chapel of St. Chad was designed by Webster, Forrester and Scott of Saskatoon and constructed in 1965-1966. In 1962 the Emmanuel College Residence was built as an addition to Emmanuel College but a proposed walkway connecting the two was never completed. The Emmanuel and St. Chad buildings were vacated in 2005 when they joined the Saskatoon Theological Union, and the college moved into leased space in the Lutheran Seminary building. The college building and St. Chad chapel along with the neighboring Rugby Chapel were purchased by the university for $1.1 million in the fall of 2006 and Emmanuel and St. Chad space earmarked for the Graduate Students' Association (GSA). In 2012 its council announced the college would suspend operations the following year, while it would work to come up with a three-year restructuring plan. In 2013, however, the council said it would continue operating for the time being, by working with its partner schools in the Saskatoon Theological Union (STU) - St. Andrew’s College (United Church of Canada) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary. By this time the principal’s position had been eliminated, and the faculty was down to a single professor. Since 2014 it has been working on a plan to offer its licentiate of theology (LTh) mostly remotely, online, with the support of locally-based mentors and tutors—an offering intended as training for diaconal ministry or for locally-raised priests.

Image showing the first sod turning for the College Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Dignitaries in attendance: E.L. Wetmore, University Chancellor; Archibald P. McNab, Thomas Edwin Perrett, James Clinkskill, Walter C. Murray, University President; George H. Ling, W.J. Bell, Augustus H. Ball, Joseph Wright Sifton, Ethan B. Hutcherson, W.R. Sparling, Colin Young, A.H. Smith and Alexander R. Greig.

Bio/Historical Note: Designated as a provincial heritage property in 1982 and as a National Historic Site in 2001, the University of Saskatchewan's first building has long served as the architectural, intellectual and emotional cornerstone of the campus. Designed by Brown and Vallance, the College Building was originally intended ultimately to house the College of Agriculture; but from the start, served numerous purposes. As early as April 1910, the floor plan included space for milk testing, butter making, cheese making, grain work; a gymnasium; several classrooms; offices for the Registrar, Dean of Agriculture, Director of Extension, and President; the original "faculty club"; laboratories; the library; and quarters for the janitor. After a sod-turning ceremony on 4 May 1910, the cornerstone was laid by Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier on 29 July 1910. It was constructed between 1910-1912 by Smith Bros. and Wilson general contractors. Completed in 1912, the building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913.

Elevated view of second Convocation ceremony and official opening of the University of Saskatchewan buildings. In attendance, front row: John L. Hogg; James Alexander Calder (Minister of Education); J.A. MacLean (University of Manitoba); Robert A. Falconer, (University of Toronto); Walter Scott (Premier of Saskatchewan); George W. Brown (Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan); Frederick W.G. Haultain (Chief Justice of Saskatchewan); Walter C. Murray (University President), Bishop Jervois Arthur Newnham, Anglican Bishop of Saskatchewan); Angus McKay; William J. Rutherford; Archdeacon Dewdney; George H. Ling. Second row: W.C. Sutherland; [Arthur McMaster Fenwick]; R.W. Shannon; A.P. McNab; William R. Motherwell; A. MacDonald; A.D.C. Allard; James Clinkskill; W.J. Bell; W.J. Dixon; George Reynolds Peterson; David D. Low; Wellington B. Willoughby; Ethan B. Hutcherson. Third row: Thomas N. Willing; John A. MacDonald; Robert D. MacLaurin; Ira A. MacKay; John Bracken; Alexander R. Greig; Reginald J.G. Bateman; John T. Tuckey; A.J. Mather; Rev. Colin G. Young; Judge Alexander Gray Farrell; Augustus H. Ball; Joseph A. Snell. Ceremony in Convocation Hall; paintings of Angus Mackay and a flag in background.

Group photo of staff standing on and in front of a train engine. Names: Christina Murray, Arthur Wellesley Henry, Alexander R. Greig, Jean Gordon Bayer, Walter Lee Kirkpatrick, Allan S. Kyle, Kenneth G. McKay, Winkona Frank, Miss Fawcett, Miss J. Gillespie, Mrs. [Jane] Archibald, Alexander M. Shaw, F. Bates, James Bishop Harrington, W. Jaffrey H. Tisdale, Ernest Gordon Booth.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 a Better Farming Train (BFT) toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

Staff gathered next to a rail car: J.M. Smith, Alexander R. Greig, Mrs. Jessie Greig, Ray K. Baker, W. Jaffrey H. Tisdale, Kenneth G. MacKay, L.E. Kirk, and Alexander M. Shaw.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 a Better Farming Train (BFT) toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

John G. Rayner, Harry Saville, Alexander R. Greig and J.M. Smith, staff members, at Debden, Saskatchewan. [Saville and Smith] are seated in a [cart].

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 a Better Farming Train (BFT) toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

Staff gathered in front of railroad car: Fred Bradshaw (chief Game Guardian of Saskatchewan), Miss J. Gillespie, Mrs. [Jane] Archibald, [Rev. Cummings or Ray Archibald], Alexander R. Greig, Christina Murray, Jacob E. (Jake) Kratzert, Mrs. W.W. Thomson, Winkona Frank, Alexander M. Shaw, [Kenneth G. McKay], [John Franklin Booth], Harry Saville, Allan S. Kyle, James Waddell, Arthur Wellesley Henry, Walter Lee Kirkpatrick, Jean G. Bayer, and [Everton A. Lloyd].

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 a Better Farming Train (BFT) toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

Posed winter image of participants of an agricultural short course standing in front of Engineering Building; Alexander R. Greig, professor of Mechanical Engineering, at extreme right.

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.

Progress shot of construction of the Livestock Pavilion.

Bio/Historical Note: The Livestock Pavilion, one of the five original campus buildings, was designed by Brown and Vallance and constructed between 1910-1912. Built of red brick, slate and translucent glass panels (some of which could be opened for ventilation), it included a large show arena with seating. The Pavilion had a slaughter room and cold storage for the butchery courses. It was demolished in 1986.

Walter C. Murray, University President, and Mrs. Christina Murray with Santa Claus (A.R. Greig), in front of a large gathering of children and some adults at the President's Residence. Pictures on wall, draperies on window and a Christmas tree in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Year given as 1936 as found in Greystone Yearbook 1909-1959 Golden Jubilee Edition, pg. [22].

John Bracken, professor of Animal Husbandry; W. Jaffrey H. Tisdale, assistant professor of Animal Husbandry; W.J. Rutherford, Dean of Agriculture; W. (Billy) Davis (holding a dead wolf by the tail); and A.R. Greig, professor of Mechanical Engineering, standing around a car.

John Bracken, professor of Animal Husbandry; W. Jaffrey H. Tisdale, assistant professor of Animal Husbandry; W.J. Rutherford, Dean of Agriculture (sitting in car); W. (Billy) Davis (holding a dead wolf by the tail); and A.R. Greig, professor of Mechanical Engineering, standing around a car.

Crew of nine men and two horses pose for the camera. Part of South Saskatchewan riverbank has been excavated with wood framed structure under construction. CPR bridge in background. Stamped signature of A.R. Greig on back of photograph. "Septic tank on river bank" written on back.

View of first Engineering Building.

Children's Christmas party at the President's Residence. Santa Claus [A.R. Greig] at far left; several men and a group of women line the perimeter of the room.