This series consists of records pertaining to the Howard Kerr Memorial Mace.
Through the primary efforts of Dr. Eugen Bannerman, a proposal was made in 1992 to the Seaforth, Ontario Town Council to commemorate Howard Hillen Kerr, one of Seaforth's native sons and the founding principal of Ryerson University, through the creation of a ceremonial mace for use during official University events such as Convocation.
Dr. Bannerman was the driving force behind a fundraising drive to raise $18,000 to bring this project to fruition. Joining him on the Howard Kerr Memorial Mace Committee were: Clare Westcott, a Ryerson Journalism graduate (1950) and former resident of Seaforth; Harry Scott, former principal of Seaforth & District High School; Alf Ross, fomer Mayor of Seaforth; and Ross Ribey, President of the Agricultural Society.
The handcrafting of the Mace was commissioned to cabinetmaker Douglass Morse of Nova Scotia. It is made of solid turned walnut and carries a variety of traditional and historic symbols relating mainly to Howard Kerr and Ryerson University. In the Spring of 1994, the Mace was presented to Ryerson's newly-installed and first Chancellor, David Crombie, at the University's first Convocation following its attainment of university status in 1993. The Mace was presented to Mr. Crombie by Alf Ross and Ross Ribey, on behalf of the donors -- the citizens of Seaforth. Dr. Bannerman was appointed Bedel or mace-bearer and fulfilled this role until his retirement in 2001.
The contents of the sub-series are arranged as follows:
F 364-2.01 Photographs - Kerr, Mace, Convocation
F 364-2.02 Correspondence - Mace, Miscellaneous
F 364-2.03 History, Genealogy, Reminiscences - Howard Kerr And Family
F 364-2.04 Articles - Howard Kerr, Ryerson History
F364-2.05 Remisicences - Clare Wescott Re. Howard Kerr, Seaforth
F 364-2.06 Speeches, Talks, Presentations - Eugen Bannerman
F 364-2.07 Articles - Historical, Miscellaneous
F 364-2.08 Mace - Donors
F 364-2.09 Mace - Convocation
F 364-2.10 Mace - Design
F 364-2.11 Mace - Committee
F 364-2.12 Mace - Costs, Donations, Budget
F 364-2.13 Maces - General
F 364-2.14 Contact Information - Kerr Family
F 364-2.15 History - Egerton Ryerson
F 364-2.16 Rendering (With Caption) - Kerr Mace
F 364-2.17 Rendering - Artist's Concept of Other Potential Design - MC1.05
