Oval-shaped portrait of Edward L. Wetmore, first University Chancellor, wearing an official gown and mortarboard.

Bio/Historical Note: Edward Ludlow Wetmore was born 24 March 1841 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Wetmore received a BA from the University of New Brunswick in 1859. He was called to the New Brunswick bar in 1864. From 1874-1876 he was mayor of Fredericton. Wetmore was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was Leader of the Opposition from 1883-1886. In 1886 Wetmore was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. In 1887 Wetmore was appointed puisne judge of the first Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and from 1907-1912 he was appointed the first Chief Justice of Saskatchewan. In 1907 he became the first Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan and served in this position until 1917. He assisted the first president, Walter C. Murray, in setting the by-laws for the university. He attended the cornerstone laying of the Agriculture Building, done by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to mark the beginning of the building of the University. An honourary Doctor of Civil Law degree, the first honourary degree awarded by the U of S, was awarded to Wetmore in 1919. Wetmore died 19 Jan. 1922 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Oval-shaped image of Edward L. Wetmore, first University Chancellor, seated in a chair, wearing an official gown.

Bio/Historical Note: Edward Ludlow Wetmore was born 24 March 1841 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Wetmore received a BA from the University of New Brunswick in 1859. He was called to the New Brunswick bar in 1864. From 1874-1876 he was mayor of Fredericton. Wetmore was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was Leader of the Opposition from 1883-1886. In 1886 Wetmore was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. In 1887 Wetmore was appointed puisne judge of the first Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and from 1907-1912 he was appointed the first Chief Justice of Saskatchewan. In 1907 he became the first Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan and served in this position until 1917. He assisted the first president, Walter C. Murray, in setting the by-laws for the university. He attended the cornerstone laying of the Agriculture Building, done by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to mark the beginning of the building of the University. An honourary Doctor of Civil Law degree, the first honourary degree awarded by the U of S, was awarded to Wetmore in 1919. Wetmore died 19 Jan. 1922 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Edward L. Wetmore, first University Chancellor, wearing an official gown.

Bio/Historical Note: Edward Ludlow Wetmore was born 24 March 1841 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Wetmore received a BA from the University of New Brunswick in 1859. He was called to the New Brunswick bar in 1864. From 1874-1876 he was mayor of Fredericton. Wetmore was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was Leader of the Opposition from 1883-1886. In 1886 Wetmore was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. In 1887 Wetmore was appointed puisne judge of the first Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and from 1907-1912 he was appointed the first Chief Justice of Saskatchewan. In 1907 he became the first Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan and served in this position until 1917. He assisted the first president, Walter C. Murray, in setting the by-laws for the university. He attended the cornerstone laying of the Agriculture Building, done by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to mark the beginning of the building of the University. An honourary Doctor of Civil Law degree, the first honourary degree awarded by the U of S, was awarded to Wetmore in 1919. Wetmore died 19 Jan. 1922 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Composite photo of Edward L. Wetmore, first University Chancellor, wearing an official gown and mortarboard, along with small photos of the first Board of Governors: James McKay; W.J. Bell; James Clinkskill; John Dixon; A. Forrest Angus; Arthur Hitchcock; A. MacDonald; Levi Thomson and Archibald P. McNab.

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.

Image showing the first sod turning for the proposed College Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Dignitaries, including Walter C. Murray (shown pointing to the left), University President, speaking to E.L. Wetmore, University Chancellor, stand in a group informally together before the ceremony.

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. The building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913. The College Building serves as a memorial to much of the university's history: numerous plaques to individuals and organizations can be found in its interior, including memorial ribbons honouring members of the university community who served in the First World War. In 1997 the university created "Nobel Plaza" in front of the College Building, honouring two Nobel Laureates associated with the University: Gerhard Herzberg and Henry Taube. As the university grew, the College Building gradually became the administrative centre for the university. By the 1950s most of the original teaching facilities were taken over by new or expanded offices including those of the registrar, controller, alumni and news services, and presidential staff. The building became known as the Administration Building at this point, and later the "old Administration Building" to distinguish it from the new wing. This expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with the appointment of a university secretary and vice-presidents. While Convocation Hall became too small for regular Convocation ceremonies by 1930, it maintained its original, broader function as a venue for concerts, meetings, lectures, and other events. Parts of the building were declared to be unsafe in 1979, which led to the construction of the new wing of the Administration Building, opened in 1987. Most of the original building was closed, but Convocation Hall remained in use until 1997. The building was reopened and officially rededicated as the College Building in September 2005 after a major rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation was reported to be "one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada - second only to the work being done on Parliament Hill." In addition to senior administrative offices and Convocation Hall, it became home to the Museum of Antiquities and new gallery space for the University Art Collection. Upon completion in 2012 the University Board of Governors renamed the Administration Building the Peter MacKinnon Building, in honour of Peter MacKinnon, retiring University President and a driving force behind the project.

Image of the F.W.G. Haultain memorial marker located in ground just north of the Memorial Gates. The plaque reads: "HERE LIE THE ASHES OF / SIR FREDERICK WILLIAM GORDON HAULTAIN, K.B. / CHANCELLOR OF THIS UNIVERSITY 1917-1939 / CHIEF JUSTICE OF SASKATCHEWAN 1912-1938 / PREMIER OF NORTH WEST TERRITORIES 1891-1905 / 1857-1942."

Bio/Historical Note: Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain (1857-1942) was born in Woolwich, England and came to Peterborough, Canada West, with his family in 1860. He grew up in Peterborough and Montreal, where he was educated at the High School of Montreal, later receiving a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. He went on to study law at Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1882 and in the North-West Territories in 1884. Haultain was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in a by-election held on 5 September 1887. He defeated Charles Conybeare by a large margin. Haultain would win his next five elections by acclamation. Haultain was appointed the first Premier of the territories on 7 October 1897. As premier, Haultain led negotiations for the granting of provincial status. Haultain argued for these territories to be admitted as a single province named Buffalo, and wanted the new province to be governed by non-partisan governments. The federal Liberal government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, however, decided to create two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, in 1905. Frustrated in negotiations with the federal Liberal government, Haultain became increasingly identified with the Conservative Party and campaigned for it in the 1904 federal election. Laurier's Liberals were re-elected. Haultain led the Provincial Rights Party in the 1905 Saskatchewan provincial election, which was won by the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan. Haultain became the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Lumsden. From 1905 to 1912, Haultain sat in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as leader of the Opposition. In 1912, the newly elected Conservative federal government of Sir Robert Borden made Haultain Chief Justice of Saskatchewan's superior court. He was knighted in 1916, and in 1917 was made Chief Justice of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, a position he held until his retirement in 1938. Haultain became the University’s second chancellor from 1917 to 1939. In 1937 he was awarded an Honourary Degree from the U of S. Haultain died in Montreal in 1942 and his cincerary urn with a bronze plaque lie behind the U of S Memorial Gates that were dedicated during his term of office.

Bio/historical note: Frederick William Gordon Haultain was the Chief Justice of Saskatchewan succeeding E.L. Wetmore as Chancellor in 1917 and remained in the position until 1940. Haultain had a profound influence on the formation of the constitution for the University of Saskatchewan, partly due to his influence in the province while Leader of the Opposition. Haultain received an Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) from the U of S in 1931. Haultain's cincerary urn with a bronze plaque lies behind the Memorial Gates that were dedicated during his term of office.

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, William Rolston Sparling, Rev. Colin G. Young, A.H. Smith, 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. The building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913. The College Building serves as a memorial to much of the university's history: numerous plaques to individuals and organizations can be found in its interior, including memorial ribbons honouring members of the university community who served in the First World War. In 1997 the university created "Nobel Plaza" in front of the College Building, honouring two Nobel Laureates associated with the University: Gerhard Herzberg and Henry Taube. As the university grew, the College Building gradually became the administrative centre for the university. By the 1950s most of the original teaching facilities were taken over by new or expanded offices including those of the registrar, controller, alumni and news services, and presidential staff. The building became known as the Administration Building at this point, and later the "old Administration Building" to distinguish it from the new wing. This expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with the appointment of a university secretary and vice-presidents. While Convocation Hall became too small for regular Convocation ceremonies by 1930, it maintained its original, broader function as a venue for concerts, meetings, lectures, and other events. Parts of the building were declared to be unsafe in 1979, which led to the construction of the new wing of the Administration Building, opened in 1987. Most of the original building was closed, but Convocation Hall remained in use until 1997. The building was reopened and officially rededicated as the College Building in September 2005 after a major rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation was reported to be "one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada - second only to the work being done on Parliament Hill." In addition to senior administrative offices and Convocation Hall, it became home to the Museum of Antiquities and new gallery space for the University Art Collection. Upon completion in 2012 the University Board of Governors renamed the Administration Building the Peter MacKinnon Building, in honour of Peter MacKinnon, retiring University President and a driving force behind the project.

Image showing the first sod turning for the proposed College Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Dignitaries in attendance: E.L. Wetmore, University Chancellor; Walter C. Murray, University President; Rev. Colin G. Young, James Alexander Aikin, A.H. Smith, Thomas Edwin Perrett, D. Smith (contractor), Joseph Wright Sifton, W.J. Bell, George H. Ling, Duncan P. McColl, Augustus H. Ball, William Hopkins (mayor), William Rolston Sparling, Alexander R. Greig, J.C. Bell, William C. Sutherland, Ethan B. Hutcherson, Archibald P. McNab, James Alexander Calder, Asa Hutchinson, George E. McCraney, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane McCraney, P.E. MacKenzie, and Mrs. Agnes MacKenzie. Engineer's survey pole at centre of image.

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. The building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913. The College Building serves as a memorial to much of the university's history: numerous plaques to individuals and organizations can be found in its interior, including memorial ribbons honouring members of the university community who served in the First World War. In 1997 the university created "Nobel Plaza" in front of the College Building, honouring two Nobel Laureates associated with the University: Gerhard Herzberg and Henry Taube. As the university grew, the College Building gradually became the administrative centre for the university. By the 1950s most of the original teaching facilities were taken over by new or expanded offices including those of the registrar, controller, alumni and news services, and presidential staff. The building became known as the Administration Building at this point, and later the "old Administration Building" to distinguish it from the new wing. This expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with the appointment of a university secretary and vice-presidents. While Convocation Hall became too small for regular Convocation ceremonies by 1930, it maintained its original, broader function as a venue for concerts, meetings, lectures, and other events. Parts of the building were declared to be unsafe in 1979, which led to the construction of the new wing of the Administration Building, opened in 1987. Most of the original building was closed, but Convocation Hall remained in use until 1997. The building was reopened and officially rededicated as the College Building in September 2005 after a major rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation was reported to be "one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada - second only to the work being done on Parliament Hill." In addition to senior administrative offices and Convocation Hall, it became home to the Museum of Antiquities and new gallery space for the University Art Collection. Upon completion in 2012 the University Board of Governors renamed the Administration Building the Peter MacKinnon Building, in honour of Peter MacKinnon, retiring University President and a driving force behind the project.

Image of E.L. Wetmore, University Chancellor, turning the sod for the proposed College Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Looking on are James Clinkskill (partially visible behind Wetmore), member, Board of Governors, and Walter C. Murray, University President. Engineer's survey pole at centre of image.

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. The building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913. The College Building serves as a memorial to much of the university's history: numerous plaques to individuals and organizations can be found in its interior, including memorial ribbons honouring members of the university community who served in the First World War. In 1997 the university created "Nobel Plaza" in front of the College Building, honouring two Nobel Laureates associated with the University: Gerhard Herzberg and Henry Taube. As the university grew, the College Building gradually became the administrative centre for the university. By the 1950s most of the original teaching facilities were taken over by new or expanded offices including those of the registrar, controller, alumni and news services, and presidential staff. The building became known as the Administration Building at this point, and later the "old Administration Building" to distinguish it from the new wing. This expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with the appointment of a university secretary and vice-presidents. While Convocation Hall became too small for regular Convocation ceremonies by 1930, it maintained its original, broader function as a venue for concerts, meetings, lectures, and other events. Parts of the building were declared to be unsafe in 1979, which led to the construction of the new wing of the Administration Building, opened in 1987. Most of the original building was closed, but Convocation Hall remained in use until 1997. The building was reopened and officially rededicated as the College Building in September 2005 after a major rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation was reported to be "one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada - second only to the work being done on Parliament Hill." In addition to senior administrative offices and Convocation Hall, it became home to the Museum of Antiquities and new gallery space for the University Art Collection. Upon completion in 2012 the University Board of Governors renamed the Administration Building the Peter MacKinnon Building, in honour of Peter MacKinnon, retiring University President and a driving force behind the project.

Image taken just prior to the first sod turning of the College Building. E.L. Wetmore, University Chancellor; holding a shovel; looking on are James Clinkskill (left), member, University Board of Governors; and Walter C. Murray, University President. Engineer's survey pole at centre of image.

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. The building was officially opened by Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan, on 1 May 1913. The College Building serves as a memorial to much of the university's history: numerous plaques to individuals and organizations can be found in its interior, including memorial ribbons honouring members of the university community who served in the First World War. In 1997 the university created "Nobel Plaza" in front of the College Building, honouring two Nobel Laureates associated with the University: Gerhard Herzberg and Henry Taube. As the university grew, the College Building gradually became the administrative centre for the university. By the 1950s most of the original teaching facilities were taken over by new or expanded offices including those of the registrar, controller, alumni and news services, and presidential staff. The building became known as the Administration Building at this point, and later the "old Administration Building" to distinguish it from the new wing. This expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with the appointment of a university secretary and vice-presidents. While Convocation Hall became too small for regular Convocation ceremonies by 1930, it maintained its original, broader function as a venue for concerts, meetings, lectures, and other events. Parts of the building were declared to be unsafe in 1979, which led to the construction of the new wing of the Administration Building, opened in 1987. Most of the original building was closed, but Convocation Hall remained in use until 1997. The building was reopened and officially rededicated as the College Building in September 2005 after a major rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation was reported to be "one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada - second only to the work being done on Parliament Hill." In addition to senior administrative offices and Convocation Hall, it became home to the Museum of Antiquities and new gallery space for the University Art Collection. Upon completion in 2012 the University Board of Governors renamed the Administration Building the Peter MacKinnon Building, in honour of Peter MacKinnon, retiring University President and a driving force behind the project.