Helen A. McClung, 1885-1980, Founding Fellow 

Highlights

Early leader in Canadian archives, whose career began in 1915 (before most other ACA Fellows were even born); pioneering female archivist (before Canadian women even had the vote); Provincial Archivist of Ontario (1944-1950); innovator in bringing archival exhibits to schools. 

Education and Background 

Born in Trenton, Ontario, Helen Allison McClung received both her BA (1903) and her MA (1904) from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Upon graduation she taught at a private school in Ottawa for several years. 

Professional Career 

Helen A. McClung accepted an appointment “for the session” to serve as an archivist at the Archives of Ontario in 1915; she long outlasted that session. In the initial years of her work at the Archives, her primary tasks related to processing the numerous private records acquisitions brought in by Ontario’s first Provincial Archivist, Colonel Alexander Fraser. She remained with the Archives of Ontario even when it was threatened with closure in 1934 as a Depression-era cost cutting measure, helping to maintain its activities in smaller facilities and with fewer resources. 

McClung was appointed Acting Archivist of Ontario in 1939. Although another individual was appointed Archivist of Ontario in May 1944, this appointment was altered in June 1944, at which time McClung was formally appointed as Archivist of Ontario. In this role she held Deputy Minister status within the Government of Ontario, the first woman in the province to attain this legal status. While McClung began her career at a precarious time – the Archives was almost closed down as a cost-cutting measure in 1939 – by the time she retired (in 1950), she had led it safely to a strong, stable footing. 

McClung built up the holdings of the Archives of Ontario by actively seeking out and acquiring holdings important to the history of Ontario, including the records of Premier Sir James Whitney, records of the infamous Fenian raids, and the Ontario Township Land papers (documenting Upper Canada era land transactions). She took a personal interest in collecting the documents of Richard Cartwright, a prominent United Empire Loyalist, entrepreneur, publisher and political appointee. McClung also liaised with local historical societies and worked closely with the increasing number of researchers who visited the archives, including genealogists as well as noted Canadian historians Donald Creighton and J.M.S. Careless.  

In 1944, McClung began campaigning for a new building to house the archival holdings, which were being stored in the basement of the Provincial Parliament buildings. She finally met with success in 1949, and in 1951 the Archives of Ontario moved into the new Sigmund Samuel Canadiana Building on Queen’s Park Crescent. McClung’s tenure as Provincial Archivist came to an end in 1950, a year before the building was completed. 

While McClung began her career with the Archives of Ontario at a precarious time in its history, by the time she retired (in 1950), she had led the institution to a strong, stable footing. 

Contributions to the Profession 

McClung’s career began before Canadian women even had the vote, but before it ended she was leading one of the largest and most successful archival programs in Canada. She was active in the Ontario Historical Society, serving on its executive as well as Nominations and Resolutions Committees, in addition to liaising with local historical societies. Excelling at connecting students with historical documents, in 1947 McClung initiated an innovative travelling exhibit that toured schools across the province.  

Honours, Awards and Recognition 

• ACA Fellow, 1980, with the citation “in recognition of many years of service to the Canadian Archival Profession and for dedication to the preservation of our heritage.” 
• The Archives of Ontario Helen McClung Exhibit Area, established in 2009, “is named for the first woman in Ontario who, upon her appointment as acting Archivist of Ontario, achieved deputy minister status.”  

Further Information 

• Helen A. McClung, “Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario,” American Archivist 10:2 (April 1947): 184-186. 
•  Shirley Spragge, “Reminiscences of Helen McClung, Archivist of Ontario, 1944-1950,” Archives Bulletin (May 1974): 16-17, and “ACA Awards Honorary Membership,” ACA Bulletin (June 1980): 3. 

Photo source: Photograph of Helen McClung (copy 1978, original 1946), container B-1094, B116259, Copyright unknown, RG 17-43 Archives of Ontario photograph

If you see any inaccuracies or information gaps in any biography, the ACA would very much welcome your input. Please send a message to the current chair of the Nominations and Awards Committee.