Dr. and Mrs. A.M. Young of Saskatoon, and Sir David and Lady Bruce, representing the British Club, stand chatting on the lawn of the Dean of Agriculture's residence. Saskatchewan Hall and a refreshment tent in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The British Association for Advancement of Science was established in 1831.

Reception for the British members held on the lawn of the Dean of Agriculture's residence; a refreshment tent is at centre. J.B. Rutherford, son of W.J. Rutherford, dean of Agriculture, taking photos at right. Saskatchewan Hall and College Building in background; Union Jack flag flying above the group.

Bio/Historical Note: The British Association for Advancement of Science was established in 1831.

Guests mingle at a reception in Faculty Club in honour of J.W.T. Spinks, University President, after investiture as a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Bio/Historical Note: John William Tranter Spinks was born in 1908 at Methwold, England. He received his PhD in Science in 1930 from the University of London and that same year joined the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Chemistry. While on leave in Germany in 1933 he worked with Gerhard Herzberg, future Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, and was instrumental in bringing him to Canada. In 1938 Dr. Spinks became a full professor of Chemistry. During World War II Dr. Spinks developed search-and-rescue operations for the Royal Canadian Air Force and took part in the early work on atomic energy. His scientific research led to major international achievements in radiation chemistry and his work included over 200 scientific papers. Dr. Spinks was appointed head of the department of Chemistry in 1948 and dean of the College of Graduate Studies in 1949. He was installed as President of the University, which he led through a very active period of development from 1959-1975. Dr. Spinks received many honours: Companion of the Order of Canada (1970); the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (1982), Saskatoon's Citizen of the Year (1985), and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1996). He married Mary Strelioff (1910-1999) on 5 June 1939 in Rugby Chapel on the U of S grounds. Dr. Spinks died in 1997 in Saskatoon at age 89. ‘Spinks Drive’ in College Park honours Dr. Spinks. The north-facing four-story Spinks Addition, completed in 2006, is home to the departments of Computer Science and Chemistry.

View of construction of the Dean of Agriculture's Residence. An unidentified man stands facing camera in foreground; railway car visible in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The Dean of Agriculture’s residence was among the first buildings on campus. Designed by Brown & Vallance of Montreal, the original plan called for a wood-clad structure but this was abandoned when the Board of Governors decided in May 1911 to use local greystone. Unlike several of the larger buildings, the Dean’s residence was built by university employees with the assistance of day labourers. Construction took less than a year and costs ran to nearly $25,000. Sometimes known as the “Grey Gables,” the building’s first resident was William J. Rutherford, first Dean of Agriculture. The location of the house, on campus close to the University Farm, reflected the unique relationship of the Agricultural College with the university. In addition to a family residence, the adjourning grounds were used on occasion as the site for outdoor receptions and social gatherings. Talk of starting a Faculty Club at the University of Saskatchewan started in 1921, but a club was not established until 1927. The centre for the club was a reading room in the College Building; and the club's major purpose became sponsoring a series of lectures by faculty members. Slowly, over the years, the club was also opened to other than faculty members: in 1937, government researchers were allowed to join; as were senior administrative personnel in 1959; and by 1962, a degree was no longer a requirement of membership. By 1974, most administrative officers were permitted to join.
A controversial issue of the 1940s was to admit women members of faculty to the club. At a 19 November 1943 meeting, J.R. Fraser moved, seconded by J.B. Harrington, that women members of staff be admitted to the Faculty Club.” There was an amendment, moved by J.F. Leddy, seconded by A.P. Arnason “that the name of the club be changed to the Men’s Faculty Club.” The amendment carried. So the club was called the Men’s Faculty Club for four years, until 21 March 1947 when on a motion of Ansten Anstenson, seconded by J.B. Harrington “that the name of the club be changed to the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club and that women members of the faculty be admitted.” Carried. The last Dean to live in the house was Victor E. Graham who moved out in 1961 so the building could be converted into a faculty club, which opened in 1962. The building underwent two more renovations in 1966 and 1975. The latter was the most extensive, at a cost of $607,961, and established the footprint of the building as it exists today. At 3:00 pm on 19 September 1972, a fire that had been smoldering in the roof insulation for hours became apparent inside the club. The building was evacuated and an alarm called into the Fire Department. Six units were eventually dispatched to battle the “stubborn” fire before a crowd of several hundred onlookers. No one was injured and the building was saved from catastrophic damage. The Faculty Club is now known as the University Club. The club closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and plans to re-open in 2022.

Progress shot of construction of the Dean of Agriculture's Residence. Saskatchewan Hall visible at left; Main Barn visible in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The Dean of Agriculture’s residence was among the first buildings on campus. Designed by Brown & Vallance of Montreal, the original plan called for a wood-clad structure but this was abandoned when the Board of Governors decided in May 1911 to use local greystone. Unlike several of the larger buildings, the Dean’s residence was built by university employees with the assistance of day labourers. Construction took less than a year and costs ran to nearly $25,000. Sometimes known as the “Grey Gables,” the building’s first resident was William J. Rutherford, first Dean of Agriculture. The location of the house, on campus close to the University Farm, reflected the unique relationship of the Agricultural College with the university. In addition to a family residence, the adjourning grounds were used on occasion as the site for outdoor receptions and social gatherings. Talk of starting a Faculty Club at the University of Saskatchewan started in 1921, but a club was not established until 1927. The centre for the club was a reading room in the College Building; and the club's major purpose became sponsoring a series of lectures by faculty members. Slowly, over the years, the club was also opened to other than faculty members: in 1937, government researchers were allowed to join; as were senior administrative personnel in 1959; and by 1962, a degree was no longer a requirement of membership. By 1974, most administrative officers were permitted to join.
A controversial issue of the 1940s was to admit women members of faculty to the club. At a 19 November 1943 meeting, J.R. Fraser moved, seconded by J.B. Harrington, that women members of staff be admitted to the Faculty Club.” There was an amendment, moved by J.F. Leddy, seconded by A.P. Arnason “that the name of the club be changed to the Men’s Faculty Club.” The amendment carried. So the club was called the Men’s Faculty Club for four years, until 21 March 1947 when on a motion of Ansten Anstenson, seconded by J.B. Harrington “that the name of the club be changed to the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club and that women members of the faculty be admitted.” Carried. The last Dean to live in the house was Victor E. Graham who moved out in 1961 so the building could be converted into a faculty club, which opened in 1962. The building underwent two more renovations in 1966 and 1975. The latter was the most extensive, at a cost of $607,961, and established the footprint of the building as it exists today. At 3:00 pm on 19 September 1972, a fire that had been smoldering in the roof insulation for hours became apparent inside the club. The building was evacuated and an alarm called into the Fire Department. Six units were eventually dispatched to battle the “stubborn” fire before a crowd of several hundred onlookers. No one was injured and the building was saved from catastrophic damage. The Faculty Club is now known as the University Club. The club closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and plans to re-open in 2022.

Looking northwest at Dean of Agriculture's Residence.

View looking northeast of the Dean of Agriculture's Residence, later known as the Faculty Club. A swing is visible to left of residence; Engineering Building in background.

View looking northeast of the Dean of Agriculture's Residence.

Oval-shaped image looking northeast of the Dean of Agriculture's Residence; winter scene.

View looking north of the Dean of Agriculture's residence.

Looking northeast at the Dean of Agriculture's Residence.

View of the Dean of Agriculture's residence in winter.

Looking northeast at the Dean of Agriculture's residence. Campus buildings in background are Saskatchewan Hall at left, Engineering Building at centre, and Main Barn at right.

Looking north at the Dean of Agriculture's residence.

View of the Dean of Agriculture's residence shortly after completion; winter scene.