Manitoba History - A Citizen Appreciation

David McConkey

The following columns are a citizen’s appreciation of history. Citizens can draw much inspiration from the history around us: our streets, buildings, historical sites, plaques, and monuments; as well as popular books and other reflections.

Some examples:

• Marking anniversaries:  A round number like a century can become an occasion to re-visit the past.  Is It Time For A New “Palliser Expedition”? (Three-part series on this expedition's sesquicentennial.)

• Walking tours:  You can become more informed and connected with the community by strolling around town.  Take a Brandon Ghost Walking Tour

• Noticing monuments:  Often there is history around us, in our villages, towns, and cities.  Community Memorials a Link to the Great War  (Two-part series.)

• Reviewing books:  New books are being written with fresh perspectives of the past.  Book Helps Put Seton’s Westman Roots on Display

• Visiting cemeteries:  A graveyard is a wonderful, but often overlooked, part of the community.  Tours, Book Bring Cemetery to Life

The complete list:

“Tragic Scene” as Syndicate Block Fire Kills Four   Brandon Sun, January 18, 2016

Two Sides of News 100 Years Ago: War and Shopping   Brandon Sun, December 14, 2015

Brandon's Messenger of Peace: J.S. Woodsworth   Brandon Sun, November 9, 2015

“A Gloom Over the City”   Brandon Sun, July 13, 2015

More Murder, Mayhem in the Brandon Cemetery    Brandon Sun, June 8, 2015

Should We Bring Back Hanging?    Brandon Sun, February 2, 2015

99 Years Ago: “Icy Ruins” in City    Brandon Sun, January 5, 2015

How Do We Remember War?   Brandon Sun, November 10, 2014

Reflections on “Brandon’s Ghetto”   Brandon Sun, October 27, 2014

East End Pioneer Clifford Sifton Changed the Face of Canada    Brandon Sun, July 7, 2014

Tales of East End Pioneers   Brandon Sun, June 30, 2014

Murder and Mayhem in the Brandon Cemetery   Brandon Sun, June 2, 2014

Francis Marion Beynon: Compelling Story of a Manitoba Suffragist, Pacifist   Brandon Sun, April 26, 2014

Most Famous Brandonite Born 125 Years Ago   Brandon Sun, February 10, 2014

Reflections on Bicycling and Heritage   Brandon Sun, October 7, 2013

Tales of Two Brandon Pioneers   Brandon Sun, July 15, 2013

Get to Know The Brandon Cemetery   Brandon Sun, June 10, 2013

Reflections on the Diamond Jubilee   Brandon Sun, December 10, 2012

Prostitution . . . in Brandon?   Brandon Sun, July 30, 2012

Dark Side of Brandon’s Past   Brandon Sun, July 2, 2012

Book Brings Captain Palliser’s Expedition to Life   Brandon Sun, January 30, 2012

Discovering Historic Downtown Brandon   Brandon Sun, October 24, 2011

Canadian History Boring?  Not if You Know a Little   Brandon Sun, July 18, 2011

Walking Tour of East End Brandon History   Brandon Sun, June 19, 2011

New Book on Louis Riel Leaves Much to Ponder   Brandon Sun, February 13, 2011

Book Helps Put Seton’s Westman Roots on Display   Brandon Sun, December 5, 2010

Driving Tour of Brandon Finds Historic Places   Brandon Sun, August 8, 2010

Take a Brandon Ghost Walking Tour   Brandon Sun, June 12, 2010

Community Memorials a Link to the Great War   Brandon Sun, October 17, 2009:  (Two-part series)

Remembering Nellie McClung   Brandon Sun, March 7, 2009

Tours, Book Bring Cemetery to Life   Brandon Sun, June 14, 2008

Future Change May Be Dramatic   Brandon Sun, December 15, 2007

Is It Time For A New “Palliser Expedition”?   Brandon Sun, June 28, 2007:  (Three-part series)

Proud History of Looking Forward   Brandon Sun, June 29, 2007

Who Could Be Brandon’s Most Famous?   Brandon Sun, April 20, 2006:  (Two-part series)

A Few Reflections on "Skunk and Junk"   Brandon Sun, April 14, 2005