Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
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
– 1978
i. Foundation – 1958 – 1978 (M36/1093-1104)
ii. Archives – 1953 – 1978 (M36/1105-1121)
iii
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.
File pertains to the 1907 personal diary/daytimer of Hector Wheeler. Topics include: Diary begins June 30 leaving Calgary for ACC camp. Introductory pages hold geometrical drawings. Short documentation of camp and climbing June 30-July 14. Begins again August 1-October 30. Trip to Golden camp and s…
1 cm of textual records (1 volumes ; 7.5 x 11.8 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to the 1907 personal diary/daytimer of Hector Wheeler. Topics include: Diary begins June 30 leaving Calgary for ACC camp. Introductory pages hold geometrical drawings. Short documentation of camp and climbing June 30-July 14. Begins again August 1-October 30. Trip to Golden camp and surrounding camps and climbs. Mention of A. O. and Oliver Wheeler August 14. In and out of Calgary and Golden. Camping and climbing in Ptarmigan, Donald Camp, Beaueumouth [?]. Memoranda at back monetary notations for trip expenses. Notations of expenses for 1907 and 1908 trips.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs from Alaska, coastal north British Columbia, Edmonton, Jasper, Banff, and surrounding environs. Photographs feature ships, iceburgs, buildings, lakes, glaciers, and sled dogs.
3.5 cm of textual records (74 pages ; 31 x 32.5 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs from Alaska, coastal north British Columbia, Edmonton, Jasper, Banff, and surrounding environs. Photographs feature ships, iceburgs, buildings, lakes, glaciers, and sled dogs.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of scenic views from Banff west to Vancouver Island, as well as scenic views of Lethbridge, Alberta, and southern Ontario. Includes scenes from Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Salmon Arm, Cranbrook, Comox, Lethbridge, Toronto, Muskoka…
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of scenic views from Banff west to Vancouver Island, as well as scenic views of Lethbridge, Alberta, and southern Ontario. Includes scenes from Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Salmon Arm, Cranbrook, Comox, Lethbridge, Toronto, Muskoka Lakes, and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
Also features photographs from the Banff menagerie.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards of city scenes along the American east coast and postcards and photographs of city and scenic views along the American west coast. Inclues scenes from New York City, Buffalo NY, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, Boston MA, Seattle WA, Yellowstone National …
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards of city scenes along the American east coast and postcards and photographs of city and scenic views along the American west coast. Inclues scenes from New York City, Buffalo NY, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, Boston MA, Seattle WA, Yellowstone National Park, Denver CO, Utah, California, and the Grand Canyon.
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also …
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (121 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also relate to the late Robb twins, Edward and Frederick.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “C.+ R jr.” Album contains 104 pages (1 loose and 58 empty).
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to various ACC camp trips from 1906 to 1913 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Lake O'Hara, Yoho Valley, Moraine Lake, and Banff town areas, and includes b…
1 album (325 photographs : b&w and col. ; 28.6 x 18.5 cm)
Scope & Content
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to various ACC camp trips from 1906 to 1913 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Lake O'Hara, Yoho Valley, Moraine Lake, and Banff town areas, and includes black and white photographs, all of which are numbered and annotated. A black leather album, it has "PHOTOGRAPHS" embossed in gold in the top left corner of the front cover.
Notes
Page 90 not scanned - blank page; the pages between 23-34 and between 52-64 have been rebound out of order prior to accessioning.
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to a 1905 ACC trip in and around the Banff & Lake Louise areas and includes black and white photographs and colourized postcards, all of which are annotated in white …
1 album (112 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25.7 x 20.3 cm)
Scope & Content
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to a 1905 ACC trip in and around the Banff & Lake Louise areas and includes black and white photographs and colourized postcards, all of which are annotated in white ink. A fleur-de-lis is stamped into the center of the front cover, a small adhesive paper with an "A" printed on it is adhered to the top left corner, and "1905" is written in white ink on the spine.
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to a 1908 ACC trip in and around the Lake Louise & Field, BC, areas and includes black and white photographs, all of which are annotated in white ink. A small white p…
1 album (159 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.3 x 25.5 cm)
Scope & Content
Item consists of 1 photograph album compiled by Frank W. Freeborn of New York City for the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to a 1908 ACC trip in and around the Lake Louise & Field, BC, areas and includes black and white photographs, all of which are annotated in white ink. A small white paper with "F" printed on it is adhered to the top left corner of the front cover and "1908" is written in white ink on the spine.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of scenic views of castles throughout England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Also includes scenes from King George V and Queen Mary's Silver Jubilee British naval ships at sea.
6 cm of textual records (105 pages ; 27.5 x 32.5 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of scenic views of castles throughout England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Also includes scenes from King George V and Queen Mary's Silver Jubilee British naval ships at sea.
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (185 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “Catherine.” Sticker on album spine reads “Catherine #1.” Album contains 104 pages.
Album contains 214 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in, some captioned. Prints relate to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also pertain to activities such as c…
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (214 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 214 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in, some captioned. Prints relate to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also pertain to activities such as crocket, pet cats, backyard parties, beach visits, picking flowers, the Christmas season, reading, and Catharine dressed in costumes.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “Catherine.” Sticker on album spine reads “Catherine #2.” Album contains 104 pages, 1 loose.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of churches and cathedrals from around southern England. Includes scenic views from inside and outside the buildings as well as details like pews, book collections, carved details, fonts, and painted murals.
File consists of a scrapbook that contains postcards and photographs of churches and cathedrals from around southern England. Includes scenic views from inside and outside the buildings as well as details like pews, book collections, carved details, fonts, and painted murals.
Robb Family Album – titled “Children,” [1904 - 1911]. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs document activities: sledding, dress up, games, boating, children playing by the water. Photographs pertain to [Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith and John Morse, and Russell Rob…
Photograph Album : 1 photograph album (221 photographs, b&w). --
Scope & Content
Robb Family Album – titled “Children,” [1904 - 1911]. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs document activities: sledding, dress up, games, boating, children playing by the water. Photographs pertain to [Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith and John Morse, and Russell Robb, children/babies - Catherine Robb, and Russell Robb].
Black commercial album bound binding, fair condition. ‘Children’ written in yellow across front of album. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album 97 pages with written page numbers. Album binding is intact and in good condition. Cloth tape labeled “children” pasted on binding. The album has gold embossing on the front cover.