Fonds MG 215 - Beamish / Kenderdine Family fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Beamish / Kenderdine Family fonds

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

MG 215

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Date(s)

  • 1909-1990 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

52 cm of textual records
56 photographs
173 postcards
1 videotape

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(189? - ??)

Biographical history

In 1908 A.F. "Gus" Kenderdine, his wife Jane (née Ormerod) and their children emigrated from England to Saskatchewan, where they homesteaded near Lashburn. Gus Kenderdine became the first 'artist-in-residence' at a Canadian university when president Walter Murray hired him in 1920; Kenderdine later became a lecturer in art at the University, and was largely responsible for the formation of the University's 'Art Camp' at Emma Lake (now known as "Kenderdine Campus"). The Kenderdines had four children: Richard, Adelaide, May, and a third daughter, Rose, who died during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Richard eventually took over the family farm near Lashburn. Adelaide (BA '23) married John Kenderdine, a distant relative, and they lived for many years in Japan both before and following World War II. Florence May Kenderdine married Oswald Beamish; they, too, lived near Lashburn. Between 1985-1986 May Beamish donated approximately 130 of her father's paintings and sketches to the University of Saskatchewan, and provided over $1 million to help fund the new College of Agriculture building on the condition that it include an art gallery.

Name of creator

(1870-1947)

Biographical history

A.F.L. "Gus" Kenderdine was born in Manchester, U.K. on March 31, 1870. He was encouraged to paint at an early age by his godfather, Belgian artist Chevalier Lafosse. Kenderdine attended the Manchester School of Art and the Académie Julian in Paris from 1890 to 1891, where he studied portraiture. In 1892, he returned to England where he opened an art shop and specialized in painting portraits and English coastal scenes. His work was exhibited at a number of galleries in England, including the Royal Academy. Around 1908, he brought his family to Canada and began ranching at Lashburn, Saskatchewan. During this time, he thought of his painting as a "hobby;" but in the early 1920s his work came to the attention of Dr. W.C. Murray, then President of the University of Saskatchewan. Murray offered Kenderdine artist-in-residency status on campus, and in 1927 appointed Kenderdine Lecturer in Art. In the early 1930s, Kenderdine purchased land at Murray Point on Emma Lake, a site which became the University of Saskatchewan Summer Art School. In 1936, Kenderdine was transferred to Regina College to help establish an art department there. He died in 1947. The Art School at Emma Lake was renamed the Kenderdine Campus in his honour.

Name of creator

Biographical history

Daughter of A.F. Kenderdine who married John Kenderdine, a distant relative.

Name of creator

(1898-1998)

Biographical history

Daughter of A.F. Kenderdine. She married Oswald Beamish.

Custodial history

May Beamish was predeceased by both her parents and her siblings. As the last living member of her immediate family, May was left with documents originally belonging to other family members. Oswald and May Beamish were childless, and when May died these documents became the property of her niece, Adelaide Retzlaff. Ms. Retzlaff donated them to the University of Saskatchewan Archives in 1999.

Scope and content

This fonds contains correspondence, cards, and published materials owned by various members of the Kenderdine / Beamish families.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

May Beamish was predeceased by both her parents and her siblings. As the last living member of her immediate family, May was left with documents originally belonging to other family members. Oswald and May Beamish were childless, and when May died these documents became the property of her niece, Adelaide Retzlaff. Ms. Retzlaff donated them to the University of Saskatchewan Archives in 1999.

Arrangement

This fonds has been organized into five series:
I. Christmas Cards
II Correspondence
III. Family
IV. Photographs
V. Published Materials

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Script of material

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Restrictions on access

There are no restrictions on this collection.

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Finding aids

Finding aid available.

Associated materials

Related material: Associated materials can be found in the A.F.L. Kenderdine fonds (MG 87). Materials relating to Emma Lake and the artists who studied there can be found in the department of Art and Art History fonds (RG 2034); the Ruth Pawson fonds (MG 204); the Beth and McGregor Hone fonds (MG 183); the Hans Dommasch fonds (MG 172); the Mina Forsyth fonds (MG 97); and the Jean Murray fonds (MG 61). Another useful collection regarding Emma Lake are the Ken Lochhead fonds (86-29) at the University of Regina Archives. See also Faculty Biographies, Alumni records, publications, and various administrative/president's papers.

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General note

No attempt has been made to divide the material further by separating documents originally belonging to one family member from another.

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