The Agricultural History and Rural Heritage collections are a rich resource demonstrating the library's strong commitment to agricultural and rural life and reflecting the history and roots of the university. The beginning of our agricultural history collection dates to the founding of the Ontario Agriculture College in 1874.
This section contains:
- Farm business papers
- Equipment and sales brochures
- Manuscripts
- Correspondence
- Diaries
- Books
Particularly notable are our extensive Apiculture Collection, containing the Burton Noble Gates Collection, and the Rural Heritage Collection that features the Massey-Harris-Ferguson and International Harvestor records. These materials document the history of agricultural collectives in Ontario, information crucial to understanding changes in rural farming and communities in Ontario. A comprehensive collection of rural and agricultural periodicals is also available.
The collections are diverse, and range from items of national significance to small, personal collections. Rare items are included and date to the 16th century with strengths in the practice of agriculture, crops, and agriculture technology.
Material relating to agriculture can also be found in portions of the Regional and Campus Collections that contain data on past graduates and their subsequent agricultural careers. As well, the Scottish History Collections contain diaries and correspondence that may be of particular relevance.
Overall, the library's commitment to Agricultural History and Rural Heritage is significant, a choice unsurprising considering the roots of the university.
| Title | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Advance-Rumley Thresher Co. | Catalogues, advertisements, magazines, operator’s manuals for Advance-Rumley Thresher Co. | 1912-1981 |
| Albert A. Thornbrough fonds | Reports, correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper and magazine clippings, planning materials, speeches, memoranda, and appointment books. | 1945-2004 |
| Allan Anderson Collection | Reel to reel tapes and transcripts of oral histories recorded and collected by Allan Anderson. | 1940-1993 |
| Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company | Catalogues, operating manuals, parts lists for tractors & plows. | 1923-1980 |
| Barlow/Sullivan Collection | Pictorial materials of trotters, roadsters and other show horses. | ca.1875-1963 |
| Beatty Bros. Limited | Catalogues, repair parts lists, advertising brochures for Beatty Bros. Limited. | 1916-1977 |
| Blanshard and Nissouri Cheese and Butter Company fonds | Company records, charter & by-laws, minute books, receipts, financial accounts etc. relating to the Blanshard and Nissouri Cheese and Butter Company. | 1880-1991 |
| Burton Noble Gates Collection | Materials related to the study of apiculture. | Pre-1930 |
| Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association | Applications for recognition in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. | 1961- |
| Canadian Farm Writers' Federation | Material and documents belonging to the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation. | 1955- |
| Canadian Society of Agricultural Engineers | Records relating to the Canadian Society of Agricultural Engineers. | 1906-1985 |
| Cheese-making and Cheese Factories | Photographs of cheese-making and cheese factories. | ca 1800-1977 |
| Co-Operative Union of Ontario Collection | By-laws, correspondence, minutes from meetings, financial records from the Co-operative Union of Ontario and individual Co-operative members of the Union. | 1920-1982 |
| Cockshutt Farm Machinery | Operator's manuals, parts catalogues, company histories, annual reports, minutes, financial statements, photographs. | 1887-1995 |
| Conn Smythe Collection | Equine breeding and training records of Conn Smythe Horse Racing Stables, Caledon, Ontario | 1956-1980 |
| Dairymen’s Association of Western Ontario Collection | Publications of the Canadian Dairyman's Association. | ca. 1890-1932 |
| Daniel E. Stauffer Collection | Correspondence, books, reports and other materials relating to the life of Daniel E. Stauffer. | 1928-1987 |
| David Maxwell & Sons | Catalogues of farm implements, washing machines, lawn mowers, butter churns, price listings, advertisement, history for the David Maxwell & Sons, St. Mary’s, Ontario. | 1875-1978 |
| De Laval Company | Catalogues of milk equipment, dairy handbooks, and advertisements for the De Laval Company. | 1900-1951 |
| Delhi Foundry and Farm Machinery Limited | History, correspondence, catalogues, parts lists, photos, slides, memorabilia, financial records relating to Delhi Foundry and Farm Machinery, Delhi Ontario. | 1942-2003 |
| Developing Countries Farm Radio Network | Records of the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network. | 1982-2004 |
| Dominion Seed House fonds | Correspondence, photographs, financial ledgers, and seed germination log books, for the Dominion Seed House. | 1922-1992 |
| Donald Beckett Collection | Materials collected by or related to career of Don Beckett at the Kemptville School of Agriculture and Agriculture Canada. | 1890-1991 |
| Donald McQueen Shaver Collection | Business and personal files related to poultry breeding. | 1910-2006 |
| Eastern Canadian Farm Writers' Association | Materials and documents relating to the Eastern Canadian Farm Writers' Association. | 1955- |
| Entomological Society of Ontario Collection | Records of the Entomological Society of Ontario | 1863- |
| Everett Biggs Collection | History of milk marketing in Ontario research materials. | 1930-1990 |
| Fiat (firm) | Catalogues, parts manuals for tractors, and repair manuals. | 1959-1980 |
| Ford Motor Company | Catalogues, parts-operating manuals for tractors, backhoes and farm equipment for the Ford Motor Company. | 1947-1980 |
| Frost & Wood Collection | Material, documents and photographs belonging to Frost & Wood Co., Ltd., Smiths Falls, Ontario. | 1858-1965 |
| Gehl Bros. Manufacturing Company | Parts catalogues, Peerless machinery catalogues, advertisements. | ca 1927-1964 |
| George S. Atkins fonds | Personal records, correspondence, newsletters, articles, newspaper clippings relating to career of George S. Atkins. | 1868-1993 |
| George White & Sons | Catalogues, operating manuals, parts lists, correspondence for the George White and Sons Company Limited, London, Ontario. | 1847-1995 |
| Goold, Shapley and Muir Co. | Catalogues of windmills, pumps, bee-keepers’ supplies, advertisements for the Goold, Shapely and Muir Co., in Brantford, Ontario. | 1897-1985 |
| Hamilton and Wentworth Milk Producers' Association fonds | Minutes of annual, executive and directors meetings, financial accounts and expenses, lists of dairies, charter and by-laws, and member lists. | 1903-1967 |
| Harold S. Turner Collection | Farm press periodicals, newspapers, books, pamphlets, notes on history of agricultural machinery, steam show publications. | 1840-1974 |
| Harry Ferguson Limited | Materials related to Harry Ferguson Limited. | 1917-1983 |
| Helen C. Abell Collection | Materials related to the career of Helen C. Abell, rural sociologist. | 1938-1985 |
| Herrgott-Lobsinger fonds | Cider mill account books, sales ledgers, deeds, foundry operations, payroll records, and photographs | 1877-1970 |
| Huron County Oral History Project Collection | Collection of tape recorded interviews discussing rural life in Huron County | 1980-1981, 1991 |
| International Harvester Collection | Materials related to the International Harvester Company. | 1880-1986 |
| J. Fleury’s & Sons (Aurora, Ontario), Fleury-Bissell Limited (Elora, Ontario) | Collection of material related to J. Fleury's & Sons (Aurora, Ontario) and Fleury-Bissell Limited (Elora, Ontario) | 1886-1992 |
| J. Fleury’s & Sons, Fleury-Bissell Limited | Collection of material related to J. Fleury's & Sons (Aurora, Ontario) and Fleury-Bissell Limited (Elora, Ontario). | 1886-1992 |
| J. I. Case Company | Catalogs, parts manuals etc. for J. I. Case Company. | 1900-1985 |
| J. M. Bain Collection | Materials related to life and career of J. M. Bain. | 1893-1982 |
| John Deere Company | Collection of catalogues, prices lists, and operators manuals. | 1908-1988 |
| John T. Schmidt fonds | Various newspaper, rural newsletters, and farm magazine articles written by farm writer John T. Schmidt. | 1948-2005 |
| John Watson Mfg. Co. | Catalogues of farm implements, price lists, company history, and newspaper articles for John Watson Mfg. Co., Ayr, Ontario. | 1865-1980 |
| Kenneth McDonald & Sons Limited fonds | Bi-annual catalogues, administrative & financial records, minutes, photographs etc. for the Kenneth McDonald & Sons Limited. | 1901-1967 |
| Ladell Archives Collection | Notes, tape recordings, research material, photographs relating to interviews for "Inheritance : Ontario's Century Farms Past and Present". | 1977-1984 |
| Leonard Harman/United Co-Operatives of Ontario Collection | Collection of minute books, correspondence and clippings from the United Co-Operatives of Ontario. | ca 1910-2004 |
| Louden Machinery Co. of Canada | Catalogues for Louden Barns, price lists for repairs, newspaper clipping relating to Louden Machinery Co. of Canada. | 1903-1992 |
| MacDonald Thresher Co. | Threshing machine catalogues, company history, legal papers, maps for MacDonald Thresher Co., Stratford, Ontario. | 1878-1995 |
| Massey-Harris-Ferguson Collection | Materials related to Massey-Harris-Ferguson and related companies. | 1806-1986 |
| Miller-Davidson Family Collection | Collection of letters and scrapbooks relating to Miller and Davidson families. | 1867-1945 |
| Minneapolis-Moline Company | Operator’s manuals, advertisements, repair catalogues for Moline tractors, balers, combines for Minneapolis-Moline Company. | 1904-1982 |
| Nach der Arbeit | Collection of coloured fruit prints, by Nach der Arbeit. | 1938-1946 |
| New Holland Machine Company | Owner’s manuals, part lists & catalogues, service manuals, advertisements etc. for the New Holland Machine Company. | 1946-1970 |
| Noxon Brothers Manufacturing Co. | Catalogues, price lists, advertisements, minutes, photographs. | 1881-1981 |
| Nursery and Seed Catalogue Collection | Nursery & seed catalogues mostly from Ontario, with some from Quebec, United States & United Kingdom. | 1827-1968 |
| Oliver Corporation | Operator’s manuals for farming equipment, part catalogues, shop manuals for Oliver Corporation. | 1912-1984 |
| Ontario Dairy Industry Records | Photographs, dairying information, minute books, speeches, papers, and reports. | 1888-1993 |
| Ontario Fairs Prize Lists and Program Collection | Prize lists, programs, seed fairs, school fairs, plowing matches, photographs, for Ontario Fall Fairs. | 1891-1983 |
| Ontario Farm Movements Collection | Collection of correspondence, clippings and interview transcripts relating to Ontario rural organizations from the 1920s to 1940s. | 1924-1987 |
| Ontario Farm Women's Network Collection | Correspondence, constitution, financial information, minutes, reports, photographs, videos for the Ontario Farm Women’s Network. | 1988-2002 |
| Ontario Institute of Agrologists | Papers of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists, Division of Agricultural Institute of Canada. | 1937-1987 |
| Ontario Red Triangle Baby Beef Association fonds | Correspondence, financial statements, photographs, and minutes, relating to the Ontario Red Triangle Baby Beef Association. | 1949-1976, 1982 |
| Ontario Stock Yards fonds | Photographs, minutes, stock certificates, articles, accounts and other materials, relating to the Ontario Stock Yards. | 1900-1991 |
| Ontario Sugar Beet Growers' Marketing Board Collection | Minutes, constitution & by-laws, photographs, financial, correspondence and other materials related to the Ontario Sugar Beet Growers` Marketing Board. | 1942-1973 |
| Otaco Limited | Catalogues, parts manuals, operating manuals, advertisements for Otaco Limited. | 1946-1961 |
| R. A. Lister & Co. | Catalogues, operational manuals, advertisements for cream separators, oil burners for cooking, pumps for R. A. Lister & Co. | 1901-1931 |
| R. Alex Sim Collection | Papers belonging to R. Alex Sim. | 1931-1999 |
| R. W. Carbert Collection | Research material & reports, newspaper articles, photographs, correspondence on milk production & old buildings. | 1935-1989 |
| R. Wilcox collection Massey-Harris repair parts catalogues | Massey-Harris repair parts catalogues. | 1950-1960 |
| R.E. Goodin papers | Correspondence, newspaper articles, meeting minutes, financial statements, relating to R.E. Goodin, the Ontario Turnip Council and the Ontario Rutabaga Council. | 1943-1983 |
| Ralph S. Staples Papers | Personal papers of Ralph S. Staples related to co-operatives. | 1932-1988 |
| Rural Learning Association | Organizational archives. | 1943-2007 |
| Sallows Collection | Photographs of Reuben Sallows. | ca 1836-1986 |
| Sawyer-Massey Co. | Correspondence, financial accounts, photographs, advertisements, catalogues & bulletins, company history and other materials from the Sawyer-Massey Company. | 1835-1987 |
| Scott General Store fonds | Thresher's books, receipts, cash books, accounts, correspondence and other materials. | 1891-1973 |
| Stephen Sylvester Main Collection | Collection of glass negatives taken by Stephen Sylvester Main, Sheffeld, Ontario. | ca 1886-1929 |
| Sylvester Bros. Mfg. Co. | Catalogues of agricultural implements, photographs, newspaper clippings relating to Sylvester Bros. Mfg. Co., Lindsay, Ontario. | 1881-1989 |
| Templin Manufacturing Co. | Templin Manufacturing Company, Fergus, Ontario manufactured carriages and farm equipment. | 1902-1983 |
| Toronto Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association | Financial accounts and minutes of the Toronto Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association. | 1940-1978 |
| Tweed Steel Works Ltd. | Catalogues, newspaper articles, advertisements, photocopied photographs relating to Tweed Steel Works Ltd., Tweed, Ontario. | 1909-1936 |
| Vineland Growers' Co-Operative Limited fonds | Materials related to Vineland Growers' Co-Operative Ltd. | 1913-1988 |
| Waterloo Manufacturing Co. | Catalogues, price lists, annual reports, biographies, sales records for the Waterloo Manufacturing Co., Waterloo, Ontario. | 1865-1984 |
| Waterous Engine Works Co. | Photographs of Waterous Engine Works Co. engines and equipment, Brantford, Ontario. | 1877-1900 |
| Watford Stock Yards | Account books for the Watford Stock Yards. | 1937-1952 |
| White Farm Equipment Co. | Catalogues, correspondence, advertisements, operator’s manuals, parts lists, blueprints for the White Farm Equipment Company. | 1966-1989 |
| Wilfred L. Bishop Collection | Personal records relating to his education and family farm, addresses on Co-operative Farm Marketing, Agricultural Associations in Ontario. | ca. 1925-1977 |
| Woodlands Orchards Ltd. Collection | Financial ledgers, farm journals, correspondence, minutes, plans, resolutions, by-laws & agreements for Woodlands Orchards Ltd. | 1921-1983 |
| Journals of James Bowman | Collection of handwritten journals of James Bowman. | October 31, 1866 - January, 1944 |
| Miller-Davidson Family Collection | Letters, books, scrapbooks and other records relating chiefly to the shorthorn cattle business between Amos Cruikshank of Sittyton Grove, Aberdeenshire and the Miller and Davidson families of Ontario. | 1867-1945 |
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