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American Inspiration: The Story of the Diefenbaker Centre's Unlikely Origins

A common desire among many politicians is to leave a lasting legacy that ensconces their contributions firmly in the memories of a nation. Perhaps no Canadian leader understood the concept of commemoration better than the nation's thirteenth Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker. He often boasted that he shared a special bond with the Canadian people, and his good standing in the national collective memory was of the utmost importance to him. Diefenbaker desperately wanted to be remembered. When he was ousted from the prime ministership in 1963 after leading the country for nearly six years, Diefenbaker continued to serve as leader of the opposition. Even when he was defeated by Robert Stanfield in 1965 for the Progressive Conservative leadership, Diefenbaker carried on as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Saskatchewan riding of Prince Albert. He served as a Saskatchewan MP for an incredible 39 years. Diefenbaker did not want to disappear from the hearts and memories of Canadians. Even Diefenbaker, who possessed one of the largest egos in the history of Canadian politics, realized that he could not live forever. Diefenbaker was faced with quite a conundrum. How could he continue to play a role in the Canadian collective memory, even after death? Being remembered and commemorated, however, was not enough for Diefenbaker. He also wanted to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to Canadian society. The former Prime Minister needed a legacy that would allow him to accomplish these two objectives, which for him were integral. In the United States, these legacies exist in the form of presidential libraries. Rutherford B. Hayes, American President from 1877 to 1881, was the first President to be memorialized with a library. Hayes's presidential library opened in 1916, paving the way for the practice to become accepted, and later expected, as tradition. By the 1970s presidential libraries were entrenched in American culture. According to Harry S. Truman Library archivist Raymond Geselbracht, "By the early 1970s, the presidential library system was clearly successful. Its place in American life was firmly established, and its almost incredibly successful resolution of all the problems concerning the preservation and care of presidential papers--as well as its emergence among tourists as an important attraction--made it appear a permanent institution." (1) Every President from Herbert Hoover, who began his term as American leader in 1929, to Bill Clinton, whose term ended in 2001 and whose institution opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2004, has a presidential library. While a number of institutions were in place in the United States for the national celebration of federal leaders, such a system did not exist in Canada. Since the late 1960s John Diefenbaker had a notion of a fitting tribute that would not only appease his legendary ego, but would also serve as a symbol of unification and Canadiana. He envisioned an institution that would house his papers and make Canadian history accessible to the citizens of Western Canada. Diefenbaker wanted this institution to be located at the University of Saskatchewan, his alma mater. When the former Prime Minister became the chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan in 1969, he declared his intention to give his alma mater his personal papers, memorabilia, and personal library along with his Sir John A. Macdonald collection, which included original manuscripts, books, memorabilia, and historic furniture. In turn, the University pledged that it would house all the items Diefenbaker bequeathed within a single unit. This pledge established the concept for The Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker Centre (referred to hereafter as the Diefenbaker Centre) as a working archive and public museum. In June 1980, almost a year after Diefenbaker's death, the Diefenbaker Centre opened its doors to the public, making it the only institution of its kind in Canada. With the Centre, Diefenbaker established a unique legacy. …