The papers consist of one series, correspondence, which is divided into four sub-series, including business correspondence, faculty correspondence, general and personal correspondence, and student correspondence. The series includes both incoming and outgoing correspondence, and is arranged either alphabetically according to the sender’s last name or chronologically, and according to perceived subject matter. It was created between 1889 and 1937, and predominately from 1898 to 1925. The correspondence almost exclusively relates to Manitoba College, and Baird’s work as administrator and professor in the theology department, and as Acting Principal.
The first sub-series contains correspondence related to business from 1889 to 1923. The correspondence includes a wide variety of content, some of which relate to discussions of finances, property, donations and business arrangements of the Presbyterian Church and Manitoba College. The second sub-series contains correspondence related to the faculty of Manitoba College from 1898 to 1921, and specifically deals with the theological department and Baird’s work as Acting Principal. The content of the correspondence is varied, and includes discussions on the hiring of faculty, committee meetings, salaries, and faculty and student recommendations. The third sub-series contains general and personal correspondence and documents created between 1898 and 1937, and predominately from 1898 to 1924. The correspondence generally relates to Manitoba College and Baird’s work as a professor in the theology department and Acting Principal, and his work as a Presbyterian minister. The fourth sub-series contains correspondence from and about students created between 1893 and 1925, and primarily from 1898 to 1925. The content of the correspondence relates to a variety of student concerns, which includes convocation, curriculum, finances, recommendations, admission, and other concerns related to the theology department or Baird’s role as Acting Principal.