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

Dan McCowan and Mary McCowan fonds

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series. I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E…

Date Range: [ca.1885-1967?]

Reference Code: M55 / V408

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

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

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 1 / Fonds

Fonds Number: M 55; V 408

Sous-Fonds: M 55; V 408

Accession Number: 323, 694, 3263, 6756, 6892

Reference Code: M55 / V408

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

Date Range: [ca.1885-1967?]

Physical Description: ca.50 cm of textual records. -- ca.3400 photographs (ca.1000 negatives, ca.1540 lantern slides, ca.770 transparencies 35mm, 117 prints). -- 4 graphic records

History / Biographical: Dan McCowan, 1882-1956, was a naturalist, lecturer and writer at Banff, Alberta, Canada. McCowan came to Banff from Scotland in 1907. There he met Mary Ethel Fee, 1888-1973, a teacher, and they married in 1921. Mary McCowan shared an interest in Dan's work, hand-coloured his lantern slides and accompanied him on his tours. Dan McCowan was an active photographer and naturalist and lectured at hospitals during and following the First World War. He was later recommended to Sir Edward Beatty, CPR President and hired by the CPR to promote the scenic beauties and natural history of the mountains, which he did for 26 years. For a period his lantern slide presentations included motion pictures. During the 1940s, he used natural colour Kodachrome slide photography. While in England in 1936, McCowan was made a Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society. From ca.1907 onwards, he wrote for magazines and newspapers. The first of six books was published in 1936; the last in 1955. Beginning ca.1937, McCowan wrote and broadcast radio talks on natural history on CBC. These were heard widely in Canada and the United States. In 1939, McCowan accompanied the King and Queen on a portion of their railway tour through the mountains, providing information on natural history and residents. During the Second World War, he toured extensively on behalf of the YMCA. The McCowans retired to Cloverdale (now Surrey), B.C., ca.1951.

Scope & Content: Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series.; I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E. Ephemera.; Correspondence includes incoming letters re writing, business and broadcasting. Writing is in the form of notes and notebooks, unpublished and published manuscripts, newspaper articles and other materials.; Photography includes negatives, lantern slides, 35mm transparencies and prints. Material pertains to flora, fauna, people, places and scenery, also family, activities and events. Photographs of Banff personalities and visitors are available in negative and lantern slide form, 254 items.; Lantern slides were designed for lectures such as: "On skyline trails in the Canadian Rockies"; "On nature trails at Banff and Lake Louise"; "A naturalist in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Snow peaks and flower meadows in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Over the hills and far away: a pictorial review of the Canadian Rockies"; "Victory Day, May 8th 1945, Dan McCowan presents: Bye-gone days in Banff" (exact titles were based on title slides).; II. Mary E. (Fee) McCowan series consists of diaries, 1926-1957, photocopied from 12 volumes (19 cm); and letters from Dan McCowan, 1943. Diaries discuss joint travels, activities, lecture tours for CPR (Canada, U.S., U.K.), Banff, trail rides, skyline hikes, and Royal Visit, 1939

Notes: Both Dan and Mary McCowan have written identifications on the slide mounts

Name Access: McCowan, Dan; McCowan, Mary

Subject Access: Environment; Exploration, discovery and travel; Family and personal life; Natural resources; Sports, recreation and leisure

Access Restrictions: Some restrictions on access to originals; Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply

Language: Language is English

Finding Aid: Finding aids and reference tools: arrangement outline; series and file description; in-house electronic finding aid; online finding aid; item list and modern reference prints for photographs of Banff personalities and visitors

Related Material: Related by provenance to McCowan family photographs (V407)

Creator: McCowan, Dan; McCowan, Mary

Category: Environment; Exploration, discovery and travel; Family and personal life; Natural resources; Sports, recreation and leisure

Title Source: Title based on contents of fonds

Processing Status: Processed

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Notebooks and notes

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: Includes diaries, field notes and data regarding the natural history (3 volumes) and human history (1 volume) of Banff; also handwritten notes re "Winnipeg" photo captions

Date Range: 1918-1949

Reference Code: M55 / 4 to 7

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.B. Dan McCowan : Writing

Reference Code: M55 / 4 to 7

Date Range: 1918-1949

Physical Description: 6.5 cm of textual records (incl. 4 volumes) diaries, field notes and data regarding the natural history (3 volumes) and human history (1 volume) of Banff; also handwritten notes re "Winnipeg" photo captions

Scope & Content: Includes diaries, field notes and data regarding the natural history (3 volumes) and human history (1 volume) of Banff; also handwritten notes re "Winnipeg" photo captions

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

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

Ephemera

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions15871

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of menus, concert programs, label, gallery catalogues, Royal Train Canada station stationery, newsclippings, cartoons, biography of Dan McCowan, notes from book publisher, book order leaflets, business and membership cards, programmes, advertising for books and lectures, press release…

Date Range: 1906-1955

Reference Code: M55 / 21 to 23

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.E. Dan McCowan : Ephemera

Reference Code: M55 / 21 to 23

Date Range: 1906-1955

Physical Description: 2 cm of textual records

Scope & Content: File consists of menus, concert programs, label, gallery catalogues, Royal Train Canada station stationery, newsclippings, cartoons, biography of Dan McCowan, notes from book publisher, book order leaflets, business and membership cards, programmes, advertising for books and lectures, press releases. Newsclippings pertain to World War II, royalty, animals, Banff personalities (including obituaries of McCowan, Rungius, Ballard, Niven), other.

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

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Dan McCowan letters of appreciation from American audiences

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of a scrapbook of appreciation letters written to Dan McCowan from sports and community associations and clubs throughout the United States of America.

Date Range: 1927-1952

Reference Code: M55 / 15

Description Level: 5 / File

GMD: Scrapbook

1 image 1 Electronic Resource

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Fonds Number: M55 / V408

Series: I / D Dan McCowan : Professional activities

Sous-Fonds: M55

Accession Number: 6892

Reference Code: M55 / 15

GMD: Scrapbook

Date Range: 1927-1952

Physical Description: 1 cm of textual records (42 pages ; 23.5 x 28.5 cm)

History / Biographical: See fonds level description.

Scope & Content: File consists of a scrapbook of appreciation letters written to Dan McCowan from sports and community associations and clubs throughout the United States of America.

Name Access: McCowan, Dan

Subject Access: Administration; Canadian Pacific Railway; Communications; Professional and Personal Life

Geographic Access: Banff; Banff National Park; Alberta; Canada; United States of America

Language: English

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

Processing Status: Processed

Electronic Resources

m55_15_pdf.pdf

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Images

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Newspaper articles

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of newspaper columns by Dan McCowan

Date Range: 1949-1956

Reference Code: M55 / 14

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.B. Dan McCowan : Writing

Reference Code: M55 / 14

Date Range: 1949-1956

Physical Description: .5 cm of textual records.

Scope & Content: File consists of newspaper columns by Dan McCowan

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

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

Correspondence

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of incoming letters re writing, 1936-1943; business, 1939, 1952; and broadcasting, 1937-1940. Pertain to books, lectures, CBC radio \ broadcasts, royal visit. Includes letters from radio broadcast fans; letters from and pertaining to John Murray Gibbon; correspondence with Dudley St…

Date Range: 1936-1952

Reference Code: M55 / 1, 2

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.A. Dan McCowan : Corrrespondence

Reference Code: M55 / 1, 2

Date Range: 1936-1952

Physical Description: 3.5 cm of textual records

Scope & Content: File consists of incoming letters re writing, 1936-1943; business, 1939, 1952; and broadcasting, 1937-1940. Pertain to books, lectures, CBC radio \ broadcasts, royal visit. Includes letters from radio broadcast fans; letters from and pertaining to John Murray Gibbon; correspondence with Dudley Stamp of Stanstead College accompanied by listings of prints and slides used for books; 1 letter from Leonard Brockington of Odeon Theatres (1952)

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

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

Published manuscripts and articles

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions15881

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of Sky Line Trail periodicals with articles by Dan McCowan, 1939-1952; $25 a Month Adventures in Aberhartia with Arch Dale and the Winnipeg Free Press, 1938; Oryx, vol.7 (Nov 1952) including letter to and mention of Dan McCowan; other published articles by Dan McCowan, including 1 pam…

Date Range: 1938-1952

Reference Code: M55 / 12, 13

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.B. Dan McCowan : Writing

Accession Number: 323, 6756

Reference Code: M55 / 12, 13

Date Range: 1938-1952

Physical Description: 2 cm of textual records

Scope & Content: File consists of Sky Line Trail periodicals with articles by Dan McCowan, 1939-1952; $25 a Month Adventures in Aberhartia with Arch Dale and the Winnipeg Free Press, 1938; Oryx, vol.7 (Nov 1952) including letter to and mention of Dan McCowan; other published articles by Dan McCowan, including 1 pamphlet; Manuscript titles include "So long old timer," March 1947, 3 p, re Jim Brewster; Hilltop Tales revision, chapter XIV, n.d., 10p; letter from artist Duggan, 1934; "Silvertip" / Dan McCowan, Canadian Alpine Journal, ???

Title Source: Taken based on contents of file

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Newspaper clippings

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of articles re McCowan's lectures and shows

Date Range: [ca.1930-ca.1955]

Reference Code: M55 / 19

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.D. Dan McCowan : Professional activities

Reference Code: M55 / 19

Date Range: [ca.1930-ca.1955]

Physical Description: ,5 cm of textual records

Scope & Content: File consists of articles re McCowan's lectures and shows

Title Source: Title based on contents

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

Dan McCowan Career Scrapbook

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File consists of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings regarding the career of Dan McCowan. Includes entirely clippings about his photographs and lectures throughout North America.

Date Range: 1929-1941

Reference Code: M55 / 16

Description Level: 5 / File

GMD: Scrapbook

1 image 1 Electronic Resource

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Fonds Number: M55 / V408

Series: I / D Dan McCowan : Professional activities

Sous-Fonds: M55

Accession Number: 6892

Reference Code: M55 / 16

GMD: Scrapbook

Date Range: 1929-1941

Physical Description: 3 cm of textual records (49 pages ; 23 x 28 cm)

History / Biographical: See fonds level description.

Scope & Content: File consists of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings regarding the career of Dan McCowan. Includes entirely clippings about his photographs and lectures throughout North America.

Name Access: McCowan, Dan

Subject Access: Academics; Community events; Description and travel; Education; Environment and Nature; Events; Lecture; Newspaper; Professional and Personal Life; Public Speaking

Geographic Access: Banff; Lake Louise; Banff National Park; Alberta; Canada

Language: English

Title Source: Title based on contents of file

Processing Status: Processed

Electronic Resources

m55_16_pdf.pdf

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Images

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Small mammals : [negatives, group 28]

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File pertains to badger, beaver (includes lodges, dams, cuttings), ground squirrels, lynx tracks, marmots and others

Date Range: [between ca.1915 and 1949], predominant 1923-1949

Reference Code: V408 / NA 4

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.C.1. Dan McCowan : Photography, negatives

Reference Code: V408 / NA 4

Date Range: [between ca.1915 and 1949], predominant 1923-1949

Physical Description: 93 negatives : b/w

Scope & Content: File pertains to badger, beaver (includes lodges, dams, cuttings), ground squirrels, lynx tracks, marmots and others

Access Restrictions: Access by appointment only

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

Insects : [negatives, group 70]

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File pertains to hornet nests, butterflies and hawk moth

Date Range: 1924-1944

Reference Code: V408 / NA 11

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.C.1. Dan McCowan : Photography, negatives

Reference Code: V408 / NA 11

Date Range: 1924-1944

Physical Description: 17 negatives : b/w

Scope & Content: File pertains to hornet nests, butterflies and hawk moth

Access Restrictions: Access by appointment only

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

Fungi : [negatives, group 136]

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Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Date Range: 1924-1941

Reference Code: V408 / NA 21

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.C.1. Dan McCowan : Photography, negatives

Reference Code: V408 / NA 21

Date Range: 1924-1941

Physical Description: 9 negatives : b/w

Access Restrictions: Access by appointment only

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

Bears : [negatives, group 8]

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions15893

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Scope & Content: File pertains to black and grizzly bears at Spray Lakes, Banff hot springs, Hillsdale area, Johnston Canyon, Eisenhower [Castle Mountain] camp, Lake Louise area, Kicking Horse area, Vermilion Crossing, and other areas

Date Range: [between ca.1915 and 1949], predominant 1929-1947

Reference Code: V408 / NA 1

Description Level: 5 / File

Part Of: Dan and Mary McCowan fonds

Description Level: 5 / File

Series: I.C.1. Dan McCowan : Photography, negatives

Reference Code: V408 / NA 1

Date Range: [between ca.1915 and 1949], predominant 1929-1947

Physical Description: 55 negatives : b/w

Scope & Content: File pertains to black and grizzly bears at Spray Lakes, Banff hot springs, Hillsdale area, Johnston Canyon, Eisenhower [Castle Mountain] camp, Lake Louise area, Kicking Horse area, Vermilion Crossing, and other areas