A large wood frame building on the grounds of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba in Brandon, measuring 250 feet by 64 feet, was designed by architect William Alexander Elliott. Its foundation was constructed in late 1926 by contractor George William Epton at a cost of $875.
The general constructor for the superstructure, constructed in early 1927, was E. C. Higgens and Sons. Lumber, cement, sand, and millwork were provided by A. R. McDiarmid Limited; roofing, sheet metal work, and plumbing was by the Brandon Heating and Plumbing Company; hardware was from Johnson Hardware Company; and electrical work was by G. T. Smith. The total cost was about $23,000. The cost of the project was borne by the Manitoba government, which agreed to lease the building at a cost of $3,000 per year for ten years, but it remained the property of the Exhibition.
The building’s original use was to house provincial exhibits that had previously been shown in the Crystal Palace and other buildings formerly at the site. Opened officially on 4 July 1927 at a ceremony attended by Premier John Bracken, it contained displays on natural resources (minerals, forests, game), labour bureau, fire protection, first aid treatment, mental hospital, bureau of health nurses, boys and girls’ clubs, Manitoba School for the Deaf, public school, dairy, livestock and poultry, women’s institutes, Manitoba Agricultural College, and other provincial departmental interests. Among the provincial representatives who assembled the exhibits were agricultural extension director Norman Cairns MacKay, agronomist Thomas James Harrison, animal scientist Gordon William Wood, entomologist Alvin Aalentine Mitchener, home economist Mary Caroline Moxon, horticulturist John Robert “Bob” Almey, dairyman Lorne Alexander Gibson, and livestock man James Reynolds “Jim” Bell.
On either side of the building’s east main entrance were the words Education, Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Co-operation, Conservation, Progress, Thrift. At the time of 2017 and 2026 site visits, the entrance was boarded over but the large words were still readily visible.
For at least ten years, the building was also used for exhibits by schools. In 1952, it underwent an extensive renovation in which interior partitions were removed to make a large auditorium space. A new concrete floor was poured and the roof was repaired. It housed that first annual Manitoba Trade Fair that highlighted the products and services of Manitoba businesses.
At the time of a 2026 site visit, the building had conspicuous holes in its roof and several broken windows. It is not used for public exhibitions but for equipment storage.
East-facing main entrance to the Manitoba Government Display Building (1927)
Source: Brandon Sun, 20 July 1927, page 4.
East side of the Manitoba Government Display Building (no date)
Source: Pride of the Land, An Affectionate History of Brandon's Agricultural Exhibitions by Ken Coates and Fred McGuinness, 1985.
West side of the former Manitoba Government Display Building (November 2017)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
South side of the former Manitoba Government Display Building (November 2017)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Former main entrance to the Manitoba Government Display Building (November 2017)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Aerial view of the east side of the former Manitoba Government Display Building (May 2026)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.83197, W99.95699
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: William Alexander Elliott (1866-1957)
Memorable Manitobans: George William Epton (1890-1952)
Manitoba Business: E. C. Higgens and Sons
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Dominion Exhibition Display Building II (Fairgrounds, Brandon)
MHS Centennial Organization: Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
“Railway will run right into fair grounds,” Brandon Sun, 4 April 1927, page 1.
“Official opening of new provincial fair building on first day of exhibition,” Brandon Sun, 4 June 1927, page 1.
“New display buildings,” Brandon Sun, 25 June 1927, page 7.
“Western Canada’s greatest exhibition to open Monday and new records looked for,” Brandon Sun, 2 July 1927, page 1.
“New provincial display building is worthy one,” Brandon Sun, 5 July 1927, page 1.
“Resources of province well shown at fair,” Brandon Sun, 29 June 1931, page 9.
“Air Force may take over more buildings soon,” Brandon Sun, 28 August 1941, page 1.
“Building for Trade Fair being renovated here,” Brandon Sun, 28 April 1952, page 15.
“Exhibition display space at premium as interest mounts,” Brandon Sun, 13 June 1952, page 15.
Pride of the Land, An Affectionate History of Brandon's Agricultural Exhibitions by Ken Coates and Fred McGuinness, Winnipeg: Peguis Publishers, 1985.
Board Minutes (1923, 1952), Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 6 May 2026
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