This past year, the James McGill Society celebrated its 35th anniversary and 150th meeting. We look forward to presenting another exciting year of presentations on McGill’s history, and on history in the making at McGill. The proposed talks for the year are:
- Monday, October 3, 2011
Greg Reid on “From Bloomers to Body Mass Index: One-Hundred Years of Physical Education at McGill” McGill Faculty Club, 154th meeting.
- Monday, November ??, 2011
Dr. Robert H. Michel on “McGill University in Fiction” Tanna Schulich Hall Schulich School of Music - Strathcona Music Building, 155th meeting.
- February, 2012
Prof. David Covo on the development of McGill College Avenue, 156th meeting.
- April, 2012
157th talk to be Announced
Last year, the Society was honored by excellent and well attended addresses:
- Monday, October 4, 2010. Prof. Peter F. McNally, “Chronicling McGill’s History: what Comes Next?” 150th Meeting. (Ball Room Faculty Club)
- Monday, November 8, 2010. Gordon Burr and François Dansereau, “McGill Remembers: The McGill University War Records.” (Presidential Address) 151st Meeting. (Room G-10 School of Architecture Macdonald-Harrington Building)
- Monday, February 28, 2011. Prof. Paul Helmer, “Denis Stevens and Helmut Blume - the Struggle for McGill's Faculty of Music, 1956-57.” 152nd Meeting. (Tanna Schulich Hall Schulich School of Music - Strathcona Music Building - 527 Sherbrooke St. W.)
- Monday, May 9, 2011. Prof. Victoria Kaspi, “The Cosmic Gift of Neutron Stars.” 153rd Meeting. (Room 112, Rutherford Physics Building, 3600 University St.)
2011 was a banner year, with the publication of vol. XII (2010) of Fontanus: from the Collections of McGill University. Dr. Robert H. Michel, Past President of the Society, and I assisted the Libraries in reviving, after an abeyance of several years, this important vehicle for publishing research based upon McGill’s library, archival and museum collections. For members of the James McGill Society, Fontanus serves a major outlet for publishing articles on McGill’s history. Copies can be ordered here.
The Society notes the passing of several long-time members and friends of the Society: Warren Chippindale, BCom ’49, LLD ’95, and Chairman, McGill Fund Council, on November 27, 2010; Ted Stansbury, formerly Vice-principal Planning and Academic Services, on February 22, 2011; and Brian Bird, formerly Chair of the Geography Department, on August 20, 2011. Our sympathies are extended to their family and friends.
Among notable events being commemorated this year is the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Strathcona Medical Building and launching of the McGill Daily. This is also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the McGill University Press – forerunner of the McGill-Queen’s University Press. The 75th birthday Festschrift honouring our Past President, Dr. M. A. Whitehead was published this year. Congratulations are extended to past president John Hobbins and Susan Cowan on their recent marriage.
Our first meeting on October 3 is co-sponsored by The McGill Associates. May I take this opportunity of reminding members that donations to “Campaign McGill: History in the Making” can be designated to the James McGill Society!
I would like to express my thanks to those who have congratulated me for receiving the Tremaine Medal and Watters-Morley Prize from the Bibliographical Society of Canada, in recognition of my research and publishing on Canadian Library History.
My personal thanks and appreciation are expressed as always to Dr. Stanley Frost and other members of the Executive Committee, and to the entire membership of the James McGill Society for continuing support and enthusiasm.
Particular thanks are extended to Mr. Gordon Burr who completes his two year term as president. His active involvement and initiative were greatly appreciated. I am very pleased to announce that at the first meeting of the season, October 3, the Executive Committee will nominate for election by the membership as new president of the Society our long-serving Treasurer and Membership Chair, Ms. Susan Button.
I look forward to seeing you all at our meetings.
Respectfully submitted
Peter F. McNally
Executive Secretary