David J. McDowell

Historian, educator.

He was born in Brandon and trained as a teacher at Brandon College. He joined the Manitoba Historical Society while completing his BA in historical geography at Brandon College. While continuing his teaching career he served as a Western Manitoba member on the MHS Council, and joined the Executive while doing MA work at the University of Manitoba in 1968. He chaired the Margaret McWilliams Medal committee and became part of the Executive who worked with Stewart Martin and Dr. Shaw to see Macdonald House restored and opened. He served as President from 1976 to 1978 and was, until 1980, on the MHS Museum Management Committee, which was responsible for Dalnavert. Since then he has kept his interest in MHS by serving on the Centennial Farm Committee. He has chaired Heritage Winnipeg for two terms and was Manitoba Governor of Heritage Canada Foundation 1997-2003.

David’s 37 year-career included teaching elementary school in rural Manitoba and Brandon, geography and anthropology and history in Westwood Collegiate and John Taylor Collegiate in Winnipeg, and seven years with the Distance Education out of Winkler. He and his wife, Linda, are now [March 2005] semi-retired, both teaching in the Education program at the University of Winnipeg. Both are busy in history related projects. David has served since 1974 on the board of the Manitoba Social Science Teachers Association.

He has contributed a short chapter on the history of Assessippi for publications in Manitoba Geography, and was awarded the Canada 125 Anniversary medal for his contribution to the historical community.

His articles for the Manitoba Historical Society:

Honorary Secretary’s Report
MHS Transactions, Series 3, Number 28, 1971-72 Season

Honorary Secretary’s Report
MHS Transactions, Series 3, Number 29, 1972-73 Season

“On With The Dance ...” - Historic Balls in Manitoba
Manitoba Pageant, Volume 21, Number 4, Summer 1976

One Hundred Years Young
Manitoba Pageant, Volume 24, Number 4, Summer 1979

Areen Mulder
Manitoba History, Number 7, Spring 1984

Profile revised: 25 October 2008