Summary information
Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
Title: | Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie fonds |
Reference code: | 0139 |
Date: | 1942-1988 (date of creation) |
Physical description: | 70 cm textual records
353 photographs |
Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Likely processed by Karen Burgess, October 2001 Added to new database May 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
The Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie was chartered in 1942 under president Tommy Blair. The object of the club was “to promote and direct fellowship among young men of good character” in order to educate and encourage them regarding ethical business practices, the welfare of their community, tolerance and acceptance of all peoples, and service work in their community. The motto of the club was “Serving the Community’s Greatest Need.”
The original club was made up mostly of men in their late 30s and 40s, but as the local boys returned from the war, they were quickly taken into the club. During the war years they formed a War Charities Trust and raised money for the Milk for Britain Fund, Aid for Russia, and Greek and Chinese Relief.
Meetings and Conventions formed the base of the Kinsmen year. Regular supper meetings were held every two weeks, with Conventions in Spring and Fall, Kin Week in February, and Installation Night in June, when new executives were installed and yearly awards given out.
The first large community project was started in 1946—raising $24,000 for a swimming pool which was then turned over to the town. The next project was raising $75,000 for a new arena, built in 1948. Over the years the Kinsmen worked on and raised money for many community recreational facilities: Bear Creek Park and its facilities, Bear Creek Swimming Pool, and the Grande Prairie Recreation Complex, as well as organizing the senior hockey club and sponsoring minor hockey. In 1980 they constructed the Kinsmen East Hillside Community Centre.
While the club put much effort into large recreational projects, it was not their only focus. Many organizations benefitted from time, goods and money donated by Kinsmen: the hospital, the fire department, municipal government, Sea Cadets, the City’s Marching Band, the Victorian Order of Nurses, Alberta Special Games for Handicapped Children, Cystic Fibrosis and Swan Industries. The Kinsmen raised money through personal pledges, raffles, radio auctions, carnivals, bingos, and cultivating a Christmas Tree farm.
The Grande Prairie Kinsmen, in Zone 1 District 4 of the Association of Kinsmen Clubs of Canada, was active throughout the Peace Region, chartering the Peace River Kinsmen in 1944, the Dawson Creek Kinsmen in 1950, the Spirit River Kinsmen in 1952, the Valleyview Kinsmen in 1961, and the Beaverlodge Kinsmen in 1974. Two provincial governors were elected from Grande Prairie—Keith Adams in 1960 and Gerry Fischer in 1965, and the club hosted the Alberta Convention in 1960, 1966, 1975 and 1982.
Custodial history
Records were collected by the Grande Prairie Kinsmen Club and donated to the Grande Prairie Regional Archives by Roy Borstad in 2001, and accruals were donated by Pat Kirton in 2011 and by Pat Olson in 2012.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of minutes, financial and membership records, organizational and activity files, Milk for Britain promotional tool-kit from World War II, a large collection of photographs, news clippings, scrapbook, and material from associated national and fraternal organizations.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Sports, recreation and leisure* (subject)
- Organizations* (subject)
Table of contents
0139.02, Financial Records, 1942-1987
0139.03, Membership, 1950-1988
0139.04, Organizational Files, 1942-1987
0139.05, Activity Files, 1942-1987
0139.06, Photographs, 1948-1982
0139.07, News Clippings and Posters, 1957-1982
0139.08, Associated Organizations, 1943-1986
0139.09, Kinsmen Scrapbook, 1959-1960
Series descriptions
Series 0139.01: Minutes
Date: 1942-1987 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of the minutes of the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie from 1942 to 1975, and a notebook of rough minutes from 1985 to 1987. Minutes include lists of members, lists of accounts, details of correspondence, summaries of discussions, descriptions of club projects, and motions carried by the club members. Physical description: 21 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Related material: Copies of some minutes not included here can be found in the Kinsmen Club Bulletins in the Membership series. |
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Series 0139.02: Financial Records
Date: 1942-1987 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of the first financial ledger detailing the Milk for Britain Fund drive, ledgers of accounts from the club’s formation in July 1942 to December 1944, an annual report for 1944, cheque stubs for 1948-49, annual reports for 1967 and 1968, financial files for 1969-70 and 1974-75, accounts book for 1979-1980, and miscellaneous financial records for 1981-1987. Physical description: 6 cm textual records Note: The first financial ledger also contains the accounts receivable records for the Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital from October 1930 to June 1931 and a few accounts regarding the building of the Nurses Home in 1936. Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.03: Membership
Date: 1950-1988 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of membership rosters, lists of committee and executive members, member responsibilities, and social events to assist Kinsmen in getting to know one another. It includes newsletters printed by the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie to communicate with its members. A certificate identifies Rudy Cepala as a Life Member. Physical description: 7 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.04: Organizational Files
Date: 1942-1987 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of files containing information pertinent to the operations of the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie: By-laws, Correspondence, Insurance, and Policies and Procedures. Physical description: 6 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.05: Activity Files
Date: 1942-1987 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of files relating to projects, events and fundraising which the Kinsmen undertook in their aim to serve the greatest needs in the community. Some of these include the Milk for Britain Campaign, the 1960 and 1982 conventions, Blood Donor clinics in cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross during the 1970s, Holiday lotteries and Car Awards, bingos and casinos, the Cystic Fibrosis Radiothon, the Christmas Tree Farm and the construction of the Kin Centre. There are also smaller, miscellaneous projects. Physical description: 18 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Related material: Activities are also detailed in the news clippings & posters series. |
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Subseries 0139.05.01: Milk for Britain
Date: 1942-1943 (date of creation) Scope and content: The sub-series consists of a Milk-for-Britain Portfolio sent by the Kinsmen National War Service Committee as a “tool-kit for club presidents and war service chairmen for the management and promotion of National Kin War Services”. It contains an informational booklet, pamphlets, posters, paper artefacts such as tags and tickets, suggestions for fund-raising, certificates, bulletins, and testimonials. Physical description: 1 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.06: Photographs
Date: 1948-1982 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of photographs of regular membership meetings, conventions, Installation Night awards dinners and activities during Kin Week. There are two large group photographs of past presidents of the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie taken in 1960 and 1980 and a photograph of the members in 1968-69. Physical description: 353 photographs 2 textual items Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Subseries 0139.06.01: Membership
Date: 1960-1980 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of photographs of members used for the 1961 Slave Day fundraiser, regular supper meetings at local restaurants such as Heidi’s Restaurant; awards and new executives at Installation Night in June; special events such as the K-40 banquet in 1975; and initiation of new members. An accrual in 2012 includes a photograph of the members in 1968-69. Physical description: 88 photographs 1 textual item Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) • Textual record (documentary form) |
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File / item list | |||
Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
0139.06.01.01 | Item – Slave Day | 1961 | 40 photographs : b&w ; 1.5 x 2 in. |
Scope and content:
Mug shots of the members of the Kinsmen Club in 1961, used for Slave Day advertising in the newspaper. |
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0139.06.01.02 | Item – Kinsmen Club Supper Meeting | ca. 1975 | 5 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A supper meeting at Heidi’s Restaurant. |
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0139.06.01.03 | Item – Installation Night – Executives | 1965-1971 | 8 photographs : b&w ; various sizes |
Scope and content:
Photographs of new executives taken on Installation Night in June, left to right: Radbourne, Wright, Bickell, Saga, Campbell, Barr, Wiebe, Phillips, and Rodseth. |
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0139.06.01.04 | Item – Life Membership Awards | 1965-1971 | 3 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
Life Memberships were awarded to Kinsmen who had made significant contributions to the club. |
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0139.06.01.05 | Item – Kinsmen of the Year Awards | 1965-1971 | 5 photographs : b&w ; various sizes |
Scope and content:
Each June, the member who had contributed most to the club that year received the “Kinsmen of the Year” award. |
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0139.06.01.06 | Item – Installation Night | 1977 | 7 photographs : colour ; 3 x 4 in. |
Scope and content:
1977 Installation Night celebration showing executive, awards, dinner and dancing. |
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0139.06.01.07 | Item – Installation Night | 1978 | 3 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
1978 Installation Night celebration showing executive, awards and dinner in the basement of the Golden Star Restaurant. |
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0139.06.01.08 | Item – Miscellaneous | [1960-1980] | 8 photographs |
Scope and content:
Unidentified photographs of Kinsmen membership events. |
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0139.06.01.09 | Item – Welcome to New Members | 1974 | 4 photographs : colour ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
Presentations of membership certificates to new members. |
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0139.06.01.10 | Item – K-40 Banquet | 1975 | 7 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in.1 textual item |
Scope and content:
Photographs of a K-40 banquet removed from poster. Photocopy of the poster accompanies the series. |
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0139.06.01.11 | Item – Membership 1968-1969 | 1968-1969 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 in. |
Scope and content:
The photograph shows thumbnail individual portraits of the men who were members of the Kinsmen in 1968-1969 in Grande Prairie. |
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Subseries 0139.06.02: Conventions
Date: 1966-1982 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of two slides of the Arabian costumes and one photograph of the train trip to Dawson Creek for the 1966 convention; one of the wooden train engine which was the Kinsmen float for convention parades; and a series of photographs of the 1975 convention, Timber Takin Daze, held at the Grande Prairie Regional College. These show the Kinsmen parade down Richmond Avenue, the campaign for election of District Governor and other convention events. The series includes a set of slides on Grande Prairie and area, most likely part of a bid package for the 1982 convention. Physical description: 152 photographs Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) |
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File / item list | |||
Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
0139.06.02.01 | Item – 1966 Convention | 1966 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. 2 slides : colour ; 35 mm |
Scope and content:
The theme of the 1966 convention was “Arabian Nights under Northern Lights.” A train was chartered to take the Kinsmen, Kinettes and Kin Wives to Dawson Creek for a barbecue. |
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0139.06.02.02 | Item – Grande Prairie Kinsmen Parade Entry | 1974 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. 1 slide : colour ; 35 mm |
Scope and content:
Wooden Train which the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie used as their float in Kinsmen and community parades. |
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0139.06.02.03 | Item – Timber Takin’ Daze | 1975 | 14 photographs : colour ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
Convention at the Grande Prairie Regional |
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0139.06.02.04 | Item – Kinsmen Convention Parade | 1975 | 25 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
Kinsmen Parade down Richmond Avenue during the 1975 convention. |
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0139.06.02.05 | Item – Convention Presentation, Canfor Lumber | 1981 | 10 slides : colour ; 35 mm |
Scope and content:
“Timber Takin’ II” was the theme of the 1982 Convention for which this promotional package of slides was prepared. Views are of operations at the Canfor Lumber Mill. |
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0139.06.02.06 | Item – Convention Presentation, City of Grande Prairie | 1981 | 39 slides : colour ; 35 mm |
Scope and content:
“Timber Takin’ II” was the theme of the 1982 Convention for which this promotional package of the City of Grande Prairie was prepared. Views include aerials, buildings, parks, and the airport. |
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0139.06.02.07 | Item – Convention Presentation, Nature and Environment | 1981 | 11 slides : colour ; 35 mm |
Scope and content:
“Timber Takin’ II” was the theme of the 1982 Convention for which this promotional package of slides was prepared. |
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0139.06.02.08 | Item – Timber Takin’ II | 1982 | 19 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
Photographs of Timber Takin’ II removed from a Conference Poster. |
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Subseries 0139.06.03: Kin Week
Date: 1960-1982 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of group photographs of Past Presidents in 1960 and 1982; a series of photographs from Kin Week 1969; of new Kinsmen being welcomed into the club, and of family events during Kin Week. There is a document listing members shown in the photograph of Past President Night February 19, 1960 (0139.06.03.01) Physical description: 57 photographs 1 textual item Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) |
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File / item list | |||
Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
0139.06.03.01 | Item – Past Presidents, Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie Paquin Photographs |
1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
Scope and content:
Past President Night, February 19, 1960. Back row L to R: Merv Lewis ‘50, Jack Howarth ‘49, Peter Eager ‘56, Harvey Merryfield ‘57, Max Henning ‘58, George O’Brien ‘45, Bob Davies ‘43, Gerry Card ‘51, Bob Campbell ‘53. Front Row: Al Scholton ‘49, Bob Field ‘52, Fred Stevenson ‘55, Bill Bessent ‘59, Griff James ‘48, Harold Ayre ‘60, Sid Ross ‘44, Gordon Cummings ‘45, Roy Wright ‘46, Art Whitlock ‘54. |
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0139.06.03.02 | Item – Past Presidents’ Night, Kin Week Paquin Photographs |
1960 | 14 photographs : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
Scope and content:
Dinner, entertainment and guests at Past President’s Night on February 19, 1960, during Kin Week, the year of the 40th Anniversary. |
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0139.06.03.03 | Item – Kin Week | 1969 | 34 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
Activities during Kin Week included the Past Presidents’ Banquet, welcoming New Kin and Family Day. |
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0139.06.03.04 | Item – Kin Week | 1970-1979 | 7 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
Welcoming new Kinsmen into the club during Kin Week in the 1970s. |
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0139.06.03.05 | Item – Past Presidents, Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie | 1982 | 1 photograph : colour ; 8 x 10 in. |
Scope and content:
Past presidents of the Kinsmen Club during Kin Week, 1982. |
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Subseries 0139.06.04: Kin Activities
Date: 1948-1982 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of photographs showing Kin major projects such as the Memorial Arena, the Bear Creek Pool, Bear Creek Park development, the RecPlex Arena and Pool, and building the Kin Centre. There are also photographs of activities such as playing on the Kinsmen Hockey Team, fundraising events and presentations; the Annual Car Award, and special events such as the Father, Son, Daughter Banquet in 1975 and the Kinettes and Kinsmen cooking for community breakfasts and Bar-b-ques. An accrual in 2012 includes 2 photos of the Kinsmen Radio Auction. Physical description: 56 photographs Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) |
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File / item list | |||
Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
0139.06.04.01 | Item – Major Kinsmen Projects | 1948-1972 | 12 photographs |
Scope and content:
Major projects of the Kinsmen Club: the Memorial Arena in 1948, Bear Creek Pool in 1961, Bear Creek Miniature Golf 1965, Bear Creek Tennis Courts 1966, Bear Creek Playground 1967, Recplex Arena and Pool 1972. |
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0139.06.04.02 | Item – Kinsmen Hockey Tournament | 1965 | 8 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
The Kinsmen traveled to Edmonton to compete in the Kinsmen Hockey Tournament. |
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0139.06.04.03 | Item – Kinsmen Donations | [1960-1980] | 4 photographs |
Scope and content:
Unidentified Kinsmen and Kinettes presenting donations to community groups. |
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0139.06.04.04 | Item – Kinsmen Annual Car Award | [1965-1975] | 2 photographs |
Scope and content:
Each year, the Kinsmen Club awarded a new car to the winner of their car lottery. |
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0139.06.04.05 | Item – Community Breakfasts and Barbecues | 1970-1979 | 10 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
The Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs often catered for community breakfasts and barbecues as a source of fundraising. |
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0139.06.04.06 | Item – Building the Kin Centre | 1979-[1982] | 9 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
In 1978-79 the Kinsmen started to construct the Kinsmen Hillside Community Centre. |
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0139.06.04.07 | Item – Father, Daughter, Son Banquet | 1975 | 6 photographs : colour ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen family event in 1975. |
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0139.06.04.08 | Item – Kinsmen Radio Auction Paquin Photographs |
ca. 1970 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
Scope and content:
Kinsmen Radio Auction in action, showing members manning the phones. Rudy Cepala is second from the right and Merv Reynolds on far left. |
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0139.06.04.09 | Item – Kinsmen Radio Auction | ca. 1970 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10 in. |
Scope and content:
Kinsmen Radio Auction in action; showing three members showing off a table full of auction items. L-R Jim Johnson, Rudy Cepala, Dave Barr. |
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Series 0139.07: News Clippings and Posters
Date: 1957-1982 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of news clippings and posters containing photographs and news clippings of the activities of the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie. Subjects include executives as they are sworn in; the 1960, 1966, 1975 and 1982 conventions; the Edson Kin trek over the Edson Trail and the train chartered to Dawson Creek for a BBQ during the 1966 convention; Kinsmen of the Year awards; projects such as the Christmas Tree Drive, Grande Prairie Arena construction and the 1969 fire, Bear Creek Pool Construction, Red Cross work, sports events such as the 1969 Curl-O-Rama, Radio Auctions and Community Breakfasts, Bingos and Fashion Shows; and social events which included the entire family. Physical description: 2 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.08: Associated Organizations
Date: 1943-1986 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of publications and information about associated organizations: the National Association of Kinsmen Clubs, the District Four Association, and the Kinettes. Information and communications regarding the K-40 Club for older Kinsmen is found throughout the records. Physical description: 10 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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Series 0139.09: Kinsmen Scrapbook
Date: 1959-1960 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of a scrapbook created by Roy Borstad, a member of the Kinsmen club in Grande Prairie. The scrapbook contains 12 photographs, various news clippings of events the Kinsmen were involved in, two bulletins, a ticket book with ribbons from the Grande Prairie convention, and a history booklet for District 4. Physical description: 3 cm textual records 12 photographs Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) • Textual record (documentary form) |
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File / item list | |||
Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
0139.09.01 | Item – Kinsmen Installation Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen banquet, the man in the photo is giving a speech and two people are waiting to be presented. 3 people are seated. |
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0139.09.02 | Item – Kinsmen Installation Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen banquet, the man in the photo is giving a speech and two more people are waiting to be presented. 3 people are seated. |
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0139.09.03 | Item – Kinsmen Installation Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen banquet, the man in the photo is giving a speech and two more people are waiting to be presented. 2 people are seated. |
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0139.09.04 | Item – Speech at Kinsmen Installation Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen banquet, the man in the photo is giving a speech and there are three people seated. |
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0139.09.05 | Item – Receiving Pins | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
A Kinsmen banquet and 2 people are receiving pins. |
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0139.09.06 | Item – Kinsman Installation Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
3 people seated at the Kinsmen Installation Banquet; the background shows the Kinsman banner. |
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0139.09.07 | Item – 2 Ladies at the Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
2 ladies sitting at the Kinsmen banquet. |
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0139.09.08 | Item – 4 people socializing at the Kinsmen Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
4 people socializing at the Kinsmen Banquet. |
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0139.09.09 | Item – 4 Ladies at the Kinsmen Banquet | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
4 ladies sitting at the Kinsmen banquet.
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0139.09.10 | Item – Max Henning is Kinsmen of the Year | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
Scope and content:
Max Henning the recipient of Kinsmen of the year is being presented the Bob Davies Merit Trophy by Past President Bill Bessent. |
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0139.09.11 | Item – 12 Foot Davis | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
Scope and content:
A photo of a 12” Davis statue that the kinsmen used in the parade. |
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0139.09.12 | Item – 7 Kinsmen in Cowboy Hats | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. |
Scope and content:
7 men in cowboy hats holding a banner who attended a convention in Dawson Creek. |