The Westman Oral History collection was a project of the Westman Oral History Association and ran from 1980-84. The Westman Oral History Association was created on August 12, 1980, by a steering committee of the Assiniboine Historical Society. The Oral History Association undertook a project called “Voices of Yesteryear.” The project was created in order to record and preserve the lives and experiences of early settlers to the Westman area. Work began in 1981, and included interviews conducted with approximately seventy senior citizens from over twenty communities in western Manitoba. The Association held a training session for committee members on April 11, 1981, where 125 participants learned how to conduct an effective interview and how to operate the recorders used in the interviews. The chairman of the Westman Oral History Association was Effie McPhail, the coordinator was Sally Cunningham, and the secretary was Bob Coates. Some of the interviews recorded were used in the early months of 1982 on a local radio station, CKLQ, as part of a program called “Centennial Memories.” The project resulted in the creation of the Westman Oral History Collection.
The collection includes the audiotapes used to record the interviews, as well as corresponding files for each interview subject. The files contain facts about the interviewees, including date and place of birth, occupations, and marital status. The files also include a summary of the interview heard on each tape. The interviews were done with men and women pioneers from the Westman area of Manitoba, and describe the daily lives of common people during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The topics covered in the interviews include the following: Agriculture, Associations and Clubs, Churches and Church Life, Cultural Events, Early Politics, Education, Health Services, Immigration, Local Businesses, Native-White Relations, Pioneer Settlements, Pioneer Way of Life, Social Life, Sports, Transportation, and War Brides. This collection includes interviews with residents from the following communities: Brandon, Boissevain, Brookdale, Carberry, Deloraine, Douglas, Elkhorn, Erickson, Forrest, Glenboro, Hamiota, Hartney, Justice, Kenton, Killarney, Melita, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Ninette, Oak Lake, Rapid City, Reston, Rivers, Shoal Lake, Sioux Valley Reserve, Souris, Strathclair, Virden, and Wawanesa. The interviews also disclose the unique experiences of pioneer women in rural areas. Many of the interviewees provide brief family histories during their interviews.
– S. J. McKee Archives
The Oral History Collection was digitized at the Brandon Public Library by volunteer Linda Wakefield. The audio files will be listed here for you to listen to in MP3 format at no cost. Feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested in listening.
This collection will be posted in early 2024. Watch this space for updates.
Past & Future Events
All
Only Past Events
Only Future Events
27jul12:30 pm2:00 pmWriter's Group in Neepawa: July12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Neepawa Public Library
Join a group of aspiring writers at our informal monthly Writer's Group gatherings at Neepawa Library. Scheduled summer dates are July 13 & 27, August 3 & 17.
(Saturday) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Neepawa Public Library
280 Davidson Street
29jul10:30 am12:00 pmScience Club10:30 am - 12:00 pm Brandon Public Library
Explore different areas of science with caterpillars, coding robots, LEGO, and more.Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by calling 204-727-6648,
Explore different areas of science with caterpillars, coding robots, LEGO, and more.
Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by calling 204-727-6648, emailing programs@wmrl.ca, or visiting the branch. There’s no registration fee. All materials will be provided. Caregivers may leave the branch, but kids MUST be dropped off at 10:30 AM and picked up at 12 PM.
(Monday) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
30jul10:30 am12:00 pmArt Club10:30 am - 12:00 pm Brandon Public Library
Try out different forms of art like drawing, painting, crafting, and more. Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by calling 204-727-6648,
Try out different forms of art like drawing, painting, crafting, and more.
Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by calling 204-727-6648, emailing programs@wmrl.ca, or visiting the branch. There’s no registration fee. All materials will be provided. Caregivers may leave the branch, but kids MUST be dropped off at 10:30 AM and picked up at 12 PM.
(Tuesday) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
31jul10:30 am12:00 pmGame Club10:30 am - 12:00 pm Brandon Public Library
Test your different abilities on board games, Nintendo Switch games, VR games, and more.Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by
Test your different abilities on board games, Nintendo Switch games, VR games, and more.
Registration is now open. Kids must be at least six years old. Kids can be registered by calling 204-727-6648, emailing programs@wmrl.ca, or visiting the branch. There’s no registration fee. All materials will be provided. Caregivers may leave the branch, but kids MUST be dropped off at 10:30 AM and picked up at 12 PM.
(Wednesday) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
31jul1:00 pm4:00 pmScrabble Club1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Brandon Public Library
Scrabble ClubWith the Brandon Scrabble ClubWednesdays, 1 to 4 PM Join members of The Brandon Scrabble Club for an afternoon of Scrabble, coffee, and laughs. Scrabble boards are provided by the
(Wednesday) 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
01aug10:15 am11:00 amThursday Storytime10:15 am - 11:00 am Brandon Public Library
Storytime is designed to encourage a love of learning, books and the library. We'll learn new songs, practice rhymes and find fantastic books. There will be time for playing, crafting
Storytime is designed to encourage a love of learning, books and the library. We'll learn new songs, practice rhymes and find fantastic books. There will be time for playing, crafting and laughter.
Designed for children 18 months - 5 years old and their parent/caregiver.
(Thursday) 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
august 8, 2024 10:15 am - august 8, 2024 11:00 amaugust 15, 2024 10:15 am - august 15, 2024 11:00 amaugust 22, 2024 10:15 am - august 22, 2024 11:00 amaugust 29, 2024 10:15 am - august 29, 2024 11:00 amseptember 5, 2024 10:15 am - september 5, 2024 11:00 amseptember 12, 2024 10:15 am - september 12, 2024 11:00 amseptember 19, 2024 10:15 am - september 19, 2024 11:00 amseptember 26, 2024 10:15 am - september 26, 2024 11:00 amoctober 3, 2024 10:15 am - october 3, 2024 11:00 amoctober 10, 2024 10:15 am - october 10, 2024 11:00 amoctober 17, 2024 10:15 am - october 17, 2024 11:00 amoctober 24, 2024 10:15 am - october 24, 2024 11:00 amoctober 31, 2024 10:15 am - october 31, 2024 11:00 amnovember 7, 2024 10:15 am - november 7, 2024 11:00 amnovember 14, 2024 10:15 am - november 14, 2024 11:00 amnovember 21, 2024 10:15 am - november 21, 2024 11:00 amnovember 28, 2024 10:15 am - november 28, 2024 11:00 amdecember 5, 2024 10:15 am - december 5, 2024 11:00 amdecember 12, 2024 10:15 am - december 12, 2024 11:00 amdecember 19, 2024 10:15 am - december 19, 2024 11:00 amdecember 26, 2024 10:15 am - december 26, 2024 11:00 am
02aug11:00 am12:00 pmManitoba Underground Opera: Playtime11:00 am - 12:00 pm Brandon Public Library
Coming this summer, MUO presents Playtime from July 16 to August 25. All performances are free to attend.To register, please visit the library in person, call 204-727-6648, or email
Coming this summer, MUO presents Playtime from July 16 to August 25. All performances are free to attend.
To register, please visit the library in person, call 204-727-6648, or email programs@wmrl.ca
Show description: Anna is SICK of studying and doing homework. Her school subjects are boring, and she’d rather imagine fantastical worlds and stories in her spare time. Luckily, Anna’s moms help her realize that learning is fun! Inspired by their daughter’s talent for creativity, they decide to dress up and create imaginary scenarios to bring Anna’s lessons to life.
Borrowing music from Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges, Playtime features brand new English text written by Max Fingerote. Between July and August, chances are the Neighbourhood Opera Tour is coming to your area. And because admission is always free, this show is accessible to all families. Stay tuned for a full list of performance locations and dates.
(Friday) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Brandon Public Library
710 Rosser Avenue
03aug12:30 pm2:00 pmWriter's Group in Neepawa: August12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Neepawa Public Library
Join a group of aspiring writers at our informal monthly Writer's Group gatherings at Neepawa Library. Scheduled summer dates are July 13 & 27, August 3 & 17.
(Saturday) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Neepawa Public Library
280 Davidson Street
Unit 1
Brandon, MB
R7A 0K9
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
CLOSED
Unit 50A
Shoppers Mall
Brandon, MB
R7A 5C5
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
PO Box 382
Carberry, MB
R0K 0H0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
PO Box 429
Glenboro MB
R0K 0X0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
CLOSED
PO Box 121
Hartney, MB
R0M 0X0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
CLOSED
PO Box 759
Neepawa MB
R0J 1H0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 7:00PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
CLOSED