The Early Years 1911 – 1919

CHAPTER ONE The Early Years 1911 - 1919

t all began at a rugged prairie site in 1911. The Boys’ and Girls’ Dormitories (later to be known as Taché Hall) was one of the principal buildings of the new campus of the Agricultural College (MAC). If we go back in time, we can see how Ithe MAC fits into those early years of the .

In the Beginning—Some History an endowment. The University established the Land Board and began framing how these lands he University of Manitoba is Western and their proceeds would be used. This process Canada’s first university, founded on  Detail of the round window and decorative banister took until 1887 when land selection began. By going up to the Auditorium. February 28, 1877—just seven years 1889, over 42,000 acres were recommended and Tafter the Province of Manitoba and only four the selection of lands continued until 1891. By years after the City of . At the time, 1893, a committee was appointed to consider Manitoba was a small postage stamp-shaped available sites in Winnipeg for the construction province; Winnipeg was hardly more than a of “a university building with lecture theatres and town; and the University of Manitoba was a laboratories.” A number of sites were considered university in name only, created to confer degrees and the matter was turned over to the provincial on students graduating from its three founding government for its consideration. The decision colleges—St. Boniface College, St. John’s College, was put on hold until the issues of land patents and Manitoba College. In 1882, the Manitoba and an increase in the University’s provincial Medical College became affiliated, and Wesley grant were resolved. College joined in 1888, as did the Manitoba Finally in 1898, the patents for the University’s College of Pharmacy in 1902. Another notable land grant were issued and the lands were addition was the Manitoba Agricultural College transferred to the University. The patents contained in 1906, which would play a part in the future no restrictions on how the land could be used by location of the University of Manitoba campus. the University. In 1885, the federal government approved And by the turn of the 20th Century, it was legislation granting the University up to recognized that the University of Manitoba 150,000 acres of Crown land in Manitoba as needed to be both a degree granting and teaching Page 1 Taché Hall: Celebrating a Century of Residence Life university, and for that it would need to have Two river lots south of the Assiniboine River its own faculty members and facilities. To that and west of Winnipeg were selected for the MAC end, in 1901, a Science Building was built on campus. Located on the old Osborne Barracks site Broadway, where Memorial Park is now located. on Tuxedo Avenue, the MAC was the first college of its kind in Western Canada, and only the third The Manitoba Agricultural College (MAC) in the country. Samuel Hooper, the first Provincial Architect, designed the original College buildings, anitoba’s rapid growth at the turn of setting them in a formal Edwardian plan, in which the Century prompted the government the buildings were arrayed around a long oval to support agricultural research and drive. The MAC officially opened in 1906. Meducation. Back in 1894, the Department of Agriculture had started a dairy school, followed Back to the University of Manitoba by the establishment of the Manitoba Agricultural College in 1903-04. he University of Manitoba was still  The University of Manitoba Science Building on It was designed to give men a solid educational undecided on a location for its campus. Broadway was built in 1901. background in agricultural sciences. The College On June 6, 1907, on behalf of the Tuxedo also included a Division of Home Economics, TPark Co., Frederick William Heubach offered the which was intended to give young women from University 150 acres of land for a University site rural communities a scientific background in adjacent to the southern boundary of the new city homemaking. Young women were to receive park (Assiniboine Park). the finest education in health, nutrition, and By 1909, still with no finalized plan on a future home management. Everything from food safety location for the new before refrigeration, U of M campus, a $12,000 the chemistry of food temporary building was and laundry, human constructed north of the first physiology, and home- University building (Science) based accounting was on Broadway to accommodate covered in those early the increase in the number of years. These women new departments. would then go back In 1910, the Report of to their communities the Royal Commission on to become leaders and the University of Manitoba strengthen the rural was tabled, but did not experience. The courses provide any unanimous were to be state-of-the-  agreement on the future of The Manitoba Agricultural College Tuxedo campus art, on par with any officially opened in 1906. the University. However, it other existing program in  Students with tractors on the Tuxedo campus. did call for the following: the North America. establishment of a Board of Page 2 The Early Years 1911 – 1919 Governors appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor willing to convey to the University some 137 acres in Council to manage the University; the search for lying between the recently transplanted Manitoba a large permanent site; a president to be chosen; Agricultural College grounds and the Red River and the extension of teaching departments as in St. Vital [Fort Garry], and would proceed to rapidly as required, by demand. erect and equip an Engineering Building or other An expanded location on Broadway and a site buildings required by the University. south of Assiniboine Park—now the home of the In the end, the St. Vital [Fort Garry] site of the Canadian Mennonite University—were both held Manitoba Agricultural College was selected to up as possible homes for a full-grown University house the University of Manitoba. Construction of Manitoba. on the campus began in 1911 and the first At about this time, the Manitoba Agricultural buildings, the Boys’ and Girls’ Dormitories College had outgrown its Tuxedo campus. Unable (much later to be named Taché Hall), the to secure additional land close to the Tuxedo Administration Building, and the Horticulture Avenue school property, the Province elected to and Biology Building (now the Human Ecology purchase 243 hectares in a new St. Vital (later to Building) opened in 1912-13.  Clearing the land before construction began in 1911. be called Fort Garry) site. The history of this campus is evident on the With the University Council unwilling to agree Administration Building, which is adorned with to the Broadway site as the permanent location the University of Manitoba’s name on its western Manitoba should be located would continue for for the University and the provincial government side and the Manitoba Agricultural College’s some time and, even until 1950, the University was unwilling to provide money for new University name on the eastern side. split with junior students studying at the Broadway buildings on the Tuxedo site, the provincial The transition to the St. Vital [Fort Garry] campus and senior students studying at the, by government let it be known that it would be campus and debate over where the University of then called, Fort Garry site.

The New College Campus (1911 - 13) he new campus site was described, in the February 1912 edition of the MAC Gazette, in this way: TThe new property lies about seven miles south of the Winnipeg City Hall, alongside the Pembina Highway, and comprises about 600 acres, all of which are thickly treed with small poplars, a few willows, and some scrub oak. The clearing was undertaken with the industry and technology of the era: T.J. Harrison, assistant in Field Husbandry,  Administration Building - University of Manitoba  Administration Building - Manitoba Agricultural was in charge of this work, having a tent and entrance (West side). College entrance (East side). staying on the spot, and having at one time

Page 3 Taché Hall: Celebrating a Century of Residence Life

 The Residence constructed to the third floor in 1912. The Boys’ side (West) was ready before the Girls’ side (East).

Page 4 The Early Years 1911 – 1919 100 men working under his directions ... owing mile, and the street railway system (street-car to the wet weather, little headway was made. system) was further developed to include the On August 7, 1911, a Hart-Parr gasoline St. Vital [Fort Garry] campus. outfit was hired to break ground and, after this, better time was made ... the The Architects engine proving far superior to the horses for this kind of work; gangs of men he architects who designed the Dormitory were employed, picking up the roots and and other buildings on the new St. Vital burning them. Eight teams were also campus, Samuel Hooper and Victor THorwood, were Englishmen who immigrated employed drawing poles off the land, and it is estimated that 2,000 cords of wood to Canada. Hooper was trained as a stonemason were taken off. The latter has recently and was well known in Winnipeg for stone been sold and the receipts will go a long monument designs. way toward defraying the cost of clearing In 1904, Hooper was appointed as the first and breaking. Provincial Architect. He, along with his assistant Excavators were paid 25¢ an hour to Victor Horwood, designed many of the new dig the foundation, mostly by hand, and buildings for the growing province. However, Samuel Hooper died in 1911, and Victor  tradesmen were paid 40¢ to 60¢ an hour. The Residence under construction and almost Horwood was appointed the new Provincial finished. Building had just begun on the Gyms. The train So rough, or rustic, a setting was the birth- line behind the building was very helpful for bringing in place of Taché Hall that the editors of the MAC Architect and completed many of the buildings supplies to the building site and, once it was occupied, to Gazette referred to it only as “the farm.” In already designed by Hooper, including the new the Residence itself. fact, the editors spoke of the proposed highway Dormitory at the St. Vital campus. from Winnipeg to the St. Vital site, as one that The Dormitory, whose façade was almost the would “undoubtedly become very popular with length of two football fields, required an architect motorists desiring a short spin in the country.” with special design skills. What was created was Naturally, since most of the College’s students a wall with a clear hierarchy of entrances and were from rural Manitoba, the isolation of the internal functions—a main entrance block and new campus was familiar. Nonetheless, the two flanking dormitories, one for women (East) architects of the Residence extended themselves, and one for men (West). ensuring that the Residents would enjoy a The exterior design of such an extensive comfortable, even luxurious (for its time) home. building presented a formidable challenge. The structure of the residential community on Although it was designed in a style similar to its campus was patterned after the British residential Georgian campus contemporaries, almost the full college format. vocabulary of traditional architectural detailing To mitigate against the isolation, University was sought out to treat the expanse of the facade. Crescent was constructed early in the Century, Thus the building is more appropriately described as being eclectic in style.  Taking a short spin in the country to the campus. reducing the distance to Winnipeg by nearly one

Page 5 Taché Hall: Celebrating a Century of Residence Life The projecting pavilion housing the entry windows of the Administration Building. The Further, the MAC Gazette reported in to the Auditorium and Dining Room has a dormered and gabled roof line is treated with November 1912 ... “The Progress of the New balustraded pediment in which is carved the English Jacobean flair in combination with College at St. Vital”: emblem of the Manitoba Agricultural College. classical details. The use of the salmon-red brick, Those of you who saw the building under The block behind is crowned with a pagoda-like limestone beltcourses, cornices, quoining, and construction in the fall of 1911 will remember cupola, buttressed with Italian Baroque volutes. red Spanish-tile roof is consistent with all the that work on the dormitory, which is by far Twin block towers mark the entrance to the original buildings on campus. the largest building on the grounds, had then Residence wings on either side. The extreme This first campus building appears to have only reached the second storey, but owing to corners are given sweeping curves, and their stretched Hooper and his architectural team to the very rapid progress made on the building entries are treated with Tuscan columns and reach a high level of excellence. It is sophisticated, this summer, hopes are now entertained that lintels capped with broken scrolled pediments, stately, and elegant. It is also one of the longest it may all be roofed in by Christmas of this repeating the motif of the second-storey “walls” in all of Manitoba. year. The part of the dormitory to be occupied

 Completed Residence with landscaping yet to be done.

 The emblem of the Manitoba Agricultural College is carved above the entrance to the Auditorium.

Page 6 The Early Years 1911 – 1919 by the young men is already roofed, and that This building is also up to the portion to be reserved for the young ladies is third floor so that it ought to be rapidly nearing completion. ready next fall. The estimated cost? This building is situated about 450 feet A hefty $824,825. from the south end of the main building Another article in the MAC Gazette (Administration Building). It will be four described the inside of the Residence: storeys high and will be built of brick The floors of all halls and and stone. The dormitories, auditorium, lavatories are terrazzo and the gymnasiums, kitchen, dining room, and rooms are fir. The rest of the store-houses are all located in this building, woodwork is oak, with a golden the auditorium and dining room being finish. Each room is designed for in the centre, while the dormitories are two students and is furnished situated on either side; the one on the with two beds with mattresses, east for the girls, that on the west for the blankets, and comforters; a boys. The Auditorium will be provided student’s study table; and a  A room in the Girls’ Dormitory. Each room was designed for with a gallery and will have seating dresser. In each room are two two students and was furnished with two beds with mattresses, accommodation for 1,200 people. clothes closets with doors that can blankets, and comforters; a student’s study table; and a dresser. The dining room is 100 by 90 feet and be kept locked while the students will have three stained glass windows, each are out at work, if so desired. The 24 feet wide. The girls’ residence will hold dining room occupies a central 200, while the boys’ residence will have part of the building and can be provisions for nearly 400. Connected with entered on the main floor from each residence will be a gymnasium, shower both boys’ and girls’ residences. baths, swimming pools, and running tracks, Opening into the dining room and it is probable that a small reading is the large kitchen where the room will be provided where at least the cooking for the whole institution daily papers will be on hand. will be done. In this is installed In designing the kitchen and connected the ranges and the refrigerator storerooms, great care has been exercised to plant, and underground is the secure an arrangement whereby the least vegetable cellar where all the possible handling will be necessary, and with vegetables for the season can be very gratifying results. All the goods are taken stored. in the north side and stored. Each time they In two wings to the rear of this building are the gymnasiums. are moved they are taken nearer the dining  A room in the Boys’ Dormitory. In each room were two clothes room, first to the cook’s storeroom, next to the These will be equipped with high class apparatus, including closets with doors that could be kept locked while the students were range, then to the supply table, and on to the out at work in the barns, if so desired. vaulting horses, parallel bars, dining room at the south side. special duplex pulley weights,

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 The Women’s Reception Room (East Lounge) in 1915.

horizontal and vaulting bars, spring In this building, as well, there are sitting floors of the Administration Building. It was to boards, horizontal ladders, climbing rooms, reading rooms, matrons’ quarters, be a temporary arrangement until a new Home ropes, travelling rings, flying rings, stall dietitians’ quarters, and accommodation for Economics Building was ready. However, it took bars, tumbling mats, medicine balls, members of the staff who desire to live in the until September of 1950, after having “exhausted basketball outfit, and indoor baseball. Near college and for all the help. the space available in the Administration the gymnasiums are shower baths, two Meanwhile, construction of the Home Building,” that the temporary arrangements swimming tanks [the plunge baths], and Economics Building was delayed because of dating from 1913 ended when the School of lockers for gymnasium suits, bathing suits, the First World War, so those programs were Home Economics moved into the Horticulture and work suits. delivered in the basement, second, and third Building, its current home [Human Ecology]. Page 8 The Early Years 1911 – 1919 A Glimpse of the Past • Overalls should be left in lockers provided in the Mechanical Building. ut what about Residence Life at that time? • Spitting in rooms and corridors is strictly For the students of the MAC, there were forbidden. many strict rules and regulations to be • Students will be obliged to have their Bfollowed while attending the College. Rules in personal effects laundered regularly. the General Calendar included required uniforms • A student must not leave the campus after for the girls, as well as details about when to eat, 9:00 pm without permission. sleep, and leave campus. • All students will assemble in the Auditorium in the morning at 8:25 am 1914 – Rules & Regulations of the MAC for prayers. • Residents must not invite friends to stay • All lights in the dormitory should be out overnight, and must consult the dean, by 11:00 pm. Those using lights after that  Home Economics students, dressed in their uniforms, matron, or dietitian before inviting anyone time will be charged 25¢ extra per night. outside for gym class. to meals, for which a charge of 25¢ per This will not apply in the case of sickness meal will be made. properly reported to the nurse. • Students will not be permitted to burn • A student who takes sick when on a program: marketing, bacteriology, large-scale candles or lamps in their bedrooms. visit to the city must have the president cooking, and ethics were some of the new subjects • Students may have one evening a week to notified at once. taught in this program. There was a practical themselves, if they so desire, but must sign • Students violating any of the regulations element to this course as well. Students worked in the students’ register before leaving. will be liable for suspension or dismissal the Residence Dining Room to gain experience • Students are required to make their beds, from the college. in running a large-scale establishment. One could sweep the rooms, and leave the window • Residents of the Boys’ Dormitory must not scarcely imagine a more ideal arrangement for open before going to prayers at 8:30 am. enter the Kitchen without permission; or the hands-on training of University-based Home • No student will be allowed to smoke in or Girls’ Dormitory except on Friday evenings. Economics students. about the institution except in the room • Each student will be given a fair chance, In 1914 with the onset of World War I, University provided for that purpose. but if he shows no inclination to make Council established a Committee on Military • Only students who have registered as smokers satisfactory progress in his work, he will not Instruction and authorized the teaching of military are allowed to use the smoking room. be allowed to stay in the institution. science and tactics. A Canadian Officers’ Training • Students occupying front rooms are In 1914, the student body began publication of Corps (COTC) was organized and during the term, requested to use white or cream curtains. a semi-monthly journal, The Manitoban, with all men drilled, and 64 of them took extra classes to • Scuffling or loud talking in the halls or the departments of the University represented on qualify as military officers. In 1916, an Overseas on the stairs should be discouraged by all its editorial staff. Correspondence Club was established to write students interested in the maintenance of Also in 1914, the new Home Economics letters to University of Manitoba students serving in good student self-government. Professional Housekeeper’s two-year diploma England and France during World War I in order to • Students are cautioned against carelessly course began in October. This course included keep them in touch with activities at the University leaving money in their rooms. subjects that were not included in the regular during their absence.

Page 9 Taché Hall: Celebrating a Century of Residence Life During the 1918 fall term, an influenza epidemic and the subsequent ban on public meetings closed the University for seven weeks from October 11 to December 2. World War I ended on November 11, 1918. A total of 1,160 students and 14 faculty and staff from the University had enlisted. One hundred and twenty-three were killed or died during the war and 142 received military honours. While students had always been active in sports and social activities, the post-First World War period marked a boom in student organization with the creation in April 1919 of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU). 

 A view of the campus in the early years. Students felt at home on “the farm.”

 The Girls’ Dormitory on the east side of the building.  The girls having fun with a soccer ball in 1915.

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