Search Results - Research Collections - Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds

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Part Of: Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse …

Date Range: 1856-1980

Reference Code: M36 / S37 / V683

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

GMD: Drawing; Motion picture; Film; Photograph; Album; Ambrotype; Cased photograph; Daguerreotype; Negative; Photograph print; Postcard; Tintype; Transparency; Sound recording; Cassette; Reel to reel; Textual record; Plan; Poster; Private record; Published record

1 Electronic Resource

Part Of: Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

Fonds Number: M36 / V683 / S37

Sous-Fonds: TBD

Accession Number: 3069 and various

Reference Code: M36 / S37 / V683

GMD: Drawing; Motion picture; Film; Photograph; Album; Ambrotype; Cased photograph; Daguerreotype; Negative; Photograph print; Postcard; Tintype; Transparency; Sound recording; Cassette; Reel to reel; Textual record; Plan; Poster; Private record; Published record

Other Title Info: Also known as the Whyte family fonds

Date Range: 1856-1980

Physical Description: 25 m of textual records. -- ca.46,000 photographs : prints, albums, postcards, cased photographs, transparencies, negatives. -- 178 sound recordings : audio tape reels, audio tape cassettes. -- 6 motion pictures (and film strips)

History / Biographical: Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929.; Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted.; Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney First Nations. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney First Nations. Catharine also supported causes related to multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died in Banff in 1979.

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse families, Series III: White and Curren families. Within Series I, there are four Sub-series: Series: A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers; B. Peter Whyte papers; C. Peter and Catharine Whyte papers accessioned after 2017; D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings.

Name Access: Whyte, Peter; Whyte, Catharine

Subject Access: Arts; Communications; Environment; Exploration, discovery and travel; Family and personal life; First nations; Sports, recreation and leisure

Access Restrictions: Some restriction/s on access; Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply

Language: Language is English

Finding Aid: Finding aids and reference tools: arrangement outline; sous-fonds, series and file description for textual; sub-series and group description for photographs; item description, subject/proper name index, and summaries for sound recordings; reference copies for sound recordings

Creator: Whyte, Peter; Whyte, Catharine

Category: Arts; Communications; Environment; Exploration, discovery and travel; Family and personal life; First nations; Sports, recreation and leisure

Title Source: Title based on contents of fonds

Processing Status: Processed

Electronic Resources

m36_s37_finding_aid.pdf

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Sibbald-Hunter families fonds

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Part Of: Sibbald-Hunter families fonds

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of Andrew Sibbald papers, including correspondence, 1925, 1932, mainly with William Pearce on early history of Alberta, 100th birthday celebration papers, 1933, and notes, essays and other writings, n.d.; miscellaneous papers of George Hunter re the Banff Rotary Club and of Leanore H…

Date Range: [ca.1870], 1925-1948

Reference Code: M40 / V574

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

GMD: Photograph; Photograph print; Tintype; Textual record; Private record

Part Of: Sibbald-Hunter families fonds

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

Fonds Number: M 40; V 574

Sous-Fonds: M 40; V 574

Accession Number: 249, 1077[removed - V804]

Reference Code: M40 / V574

GMD: Photograph; Photograph print; Tintype; Textual record; Private record

Date Range: [ca.1870], 1925-1948

Physical Description: 8.5 cm of textual records. -- ca.75 photographs : prints, tintypes

History / Biographical: Andrew Sibbald came to Alberta in 1875 with Rev. George McDougall to become the province's first teacher, teaching at Morley until 1896. He retired to Banff in 1909, where he celebrated his one hundredth birthday in 1933. George Hunter, son-in-law of Howard Sibbald (Andrew's son), came to Banff in 1905, served as Park Superintendent (1908-1910) and town magistrate (1922-1942); Leanore Hunter was his daughter.

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of Andrew Sibbald papers, including correspondence, 1925, 1932, mainly with William Pearce on early history of Alberta, 100th birthday celebration papers, 1933, and notes, essays and other writings, n.d.; miscellaneous papers of George Hunter re the Banff Rotary Club and of Leanore Hunter re the Banff Boating Club. Includes a photograph of Tom Wilson and Chief George Hunter at Lake Louise, by W. D. Wilcox, 1929. Also includes tintype portraits, possibly of Sibbald family, ca.1870.

Name Access: Hunter, George; Sibbald, Andrew S.

Subject Access: Family and personal life; First Nations; Indigenous Peoples

Access Restrictions: Some restrictions on access to originals; Public domain (other restrictions may apply)

Language: Language is English

Finding Aid: Finding aids and reference tools: modern reference prints for tintypes and fragile prints

Creator: Sibbald-Hunter (families)

Category: Family and personal life; First nations

Title Source: Title based on accession records

Processing Status: Processed

This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Soole family fonds

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Part Of: Soole family fonds

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to members of the Soole and Astley family, as well as the Homestead Hotel and property near Lake Minnewanka. Includes family photographs and albums; published materials, including two guidebooks; collected newspaper articles; notes and corre…

Date Range: [ca.1905-1960]

Reference Code: M596 / V811

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

GMD: Album; Photograph; Photograph print; Transparency; Private record; Published record

Part Of: Soole family fonds

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

Fonds Number: M591; V811

Sous-Fonds: M591; V811

Accession Number: 2022.24

Reference Code: M596 / V811

GMD: Album; Photograph; Photograph print; Transparency; Private record; Published record

Date Range: [ca.1905-1960]

Physical Description: 3 photo albums -- ca.6 cm of textual records -- ca.124 photographs (48 prints; 76 transparencies) -- one annotated ribbon

History / Biographical: David Mowbray Soole (1885-1959) was postmaster at Bankhead until 1913 when he moved to Banff to establish a real estate and insurance business. He sold the business in 1919 and bought the Homestead Hotel in Banff which he operated until 1945. Eric and his wife, Violet, had two children: a daughter, Ivy (Bond), and a son, Eric A. Soole. Eric Astley Soole (1918-2012) grew up in Banff and Calgary. He married Sylvia (Maberley) Soole (1924-2016) in 1942 or 1943. Eric served in the Royal Canadian Air Force

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to members of the Soole and Astley family, as well as the Homestead Hotel and property near Lake Minnewanka. Includes family photographs and albums; published materials, including two guidebooks; collected newspaper articles; notes and correspondence, including genealogical records; Eric and Sylvia Soole's marriage certificate; and other related materials.

Name Access: Soole, Eric; Soole, Sylvia

Subject Access: Family and personal life; Hotels; Homestead Hotel; Travel; Publication; Correspondence; Genealogy; Research; Marriage

Geographic Access: Canada; Alberta; Banff; Lake Minnewanka

Language: English

Category: Exploration and travel; Family and personal life

Biographical Source Notes: https://albertaonrecord.ca/d-m-soole-fonds https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/timescolonist/name/eric-soole-obituary?pid=157142355

Title Source: Title based on contents of fonds

Processing Status: Unprocessed

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Tom Wilson family fonds

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Part Of: Tom Wilson family fonds

Scope & Content: Fonds includes textual records and photographs generated and collected by the Wilson family and pertaining to Tom Wilson, son Ed Wilson, daughter Ada Wilson and other family members. Textual records include: Ed Wilson's scrapbook, 1881-1968, which includes mainly items pertaining to Tom Wilson, Ed …

Date Range: 1861-1982

Reference Code: M10 / V701

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

GMD: Photograph; Negative; Photograph print; Textual record; Diary; Private record; Published record; Scrapbook

Part Of: Tom Wilson family fonds

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

Fonds Number: M 10; V 701

Sous-Fonds: M 10; V 701

Accession Number: 551, 981, 1234, 1578, 1634, 2097, 3039, 7750 (unproc)

Reference Code: M10 / V701

GMD: Photograph; Negative; Photograph print; Textual record; Diary; Private record; Published record; Scrapbook

Date Range: 1861-1982

Physical Description: 2 v. and 2 cm of textual records. -- ca.400 photographs : prints, copy negatives. -- 1 cm of print material

History / Biographical: The Wilson family were guides, outfitters and ranchers at Morley, Kootenay Plains, Banff and Nordegg, Alberta, Canada. Thomas Edmonds (Tom) Wilson, 1859- 1933, and Minnie McDougall Wilson, 1865-1936, had six children, including sons John Clark Wilson, 1888-1932, and Thomas Edmonds (Ed) Wilson, 1892-1973. Daughters were Ada, 1886-1967?, Rene, Bessie and Dora. Tom Wilson is credited with the discovery of Lake Louise in July of 1882, while working as a packer on the Canadian Pacific Railway survey through the mountains. In 1883, Wilson established his own business at Banff, Lake Louise and Field, British Columbia. After selling the business in 1904, Tom Wilson operated a horse ranch at Kootenay Plains. He later retired to Banff. Ed Wilson was born at Morley and raised in Banff. Around 1910 he began working for Brewster Trading Company at Banff and, later, Lake Louise. Just before the First World War, he moved to Nordegg, where he worked for the Bighorn Trading Company for many years.

Scope & Content: Fonds includes textual records and photographs generated and collected by the Wilson family and pertaining to Tom Wilson, son Ed Wilson, daughter Ada Wilson and other family members.; Textual records include: Ed Wilson's scrapbook, 1881-1968, which includes mainly items pertaining to Tom Wilson, Ed Wilson, the Wilson family, and early guiding and exploration in the Canadian Rockies (photocopy in two volumes); miscellaneous papers, 1905-1929, including a holograph speech by D. D. Galletly on the cave at Banff; letter and note re sale of horses to Frank Wellman, 1920; letters to Catharine Whyte from Ada Wilson re personal matters and Wilson family history, 1964-1965; transcripts of manuscripts by Tom Wilson and B. M. (Bess) Wilson re the CPR and tourism and 1916 pack trip Lake Louise to Kootenay Plains; letters of Col. Robert O'Hara to Tom Wilson, 1895- 1914, re Mount Assiniboine and Lake O'Hara; letter by Catharine Robb Whyte to Tom Link, 1965, re Lake O'Hara history based partly upon above material; diary, Trip to ranch by B. M. Wilson; essay, The last of the pathfinders by Dorie (Wilson) Legit; programmes, articles, clippings re Tom Wilson, 1924-1982; Eliza Edmonds certificate, 1845, and later clipping.; Photographs pertain to outfitting and guiding activities of Tom, John and Ed Wilson, including clients, associates and trips throughout the Rocky Mountains; Wilson family, friends and associates; Stoney Indians; Kootenay Plains; Banff people and events; Banff townsite and surrounding area; Canadian Pacific Railway; Nordegg area; 1861-1930. Includes photograph of Tom Wilson at Lake Louise inscribed to A. O. Wheeler, 1932. Many of the early photographs were taken by clients of Tom Wilson. Later, after settling at Kootenay Plains, Wilson was apparently given a camera by Mary Vaux and likely took many of the Stoney Indians views. Ed Wilson was an amateur photographer and likely took most of the views of staff at Lake Louise and of Nordegg.