Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, …
ca. 7.9 metres of textual records -- ca. 274 maps -- 29 VHS tapes -- ca.15 discs with digital files -- 21 cassettes -- photographs -- oversized materials -- USB stick with 15 sldeshows
History / Biographical
Ben Gadd (1946-) is a retired naturalist, guide, geologist, instructor, freelance writer and award-winning author based in the Canadian Rockies.
Ben was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1946. He met his wife, Cia (Langdon) Gadd at Colorado College in 1965, and the couple married four weeks later. Ben and Cia had two sons, Will and Toby. Ben and his family relocated to Jasper in the late 1960s. Ben later attended the University of Lethbridge and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science in 1972.
Between 1976 and 1980, Ben taught classes at Mount Royal College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; he later taught additional classes at Grant MacEwan College and Lakeland College. From 1981, Ben also worked as a seasonal naturalist/guide for Parks Canada. Ben left Parks Canada in 1985 to start an independent naturalist guiding business with Cia based in Jasper and other parts of the Canadian Rockies, which the couple continued to operate for over two decades.
Ben published his best-known work, "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", through his publishing company Corax Press in 1986. The second edition of "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies" received multiple awards after its release in 1995. Ben's fiction book, "Raven's End" won the title of Best Canadian Rockies Book at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2001 and became a Canadian bestseller. Overall, Ben has authored or co-authored 11 books and received nearly one dozen awards for his achievements as a writer, researcher and guide.
Ben continued to lead guided hikes and school programs until his retirement in 2016.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, video and sound recordings, and other related material. Materials donated in 2024 include one USB stick containing
Notes
Ben Gadd fonds arrangement:
Series I : Personal records
- Subseries A : Travel guides and maps
- Subseries B : Education and early writings
- Subseries C : Personal interest files
- Subseries D : Other personal and collected
Series II : Research and publication records
- Subseries A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
- Subseries B : Other publications
Series III : Professional records
- Subseries A : Parks Canada Records
- Subseries B : Interpretive guiding
- Subseries C : Teaching records
- Subseries D : Other contracts and projects
Series IV : Legal and financial records
- Subseries A : Legal records
- Subseries B : Financial records
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to John Murray Gibbon's personal life, his involvement with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Skyline Hikers, and his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes manuscripts titled "Scot to Canadian: one of more than a million" by…
36 cm of textual records -- 3 sound recordings -- 185 photograph prints -- 3 negatives
History / Biographical
John Murray Gibbon, born in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) in 1875-1952, was a writer, historian, musician and Canadian Pacific Railway publicity agent at Montreal, Quebec. Gibbon attended the University of Aberdeen where he received a scholarship to attend Oxford, where he graduated with a BA in Literature. He also studied at the University of Göttingen, Germany, and received some musical training in London. Gibbon received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Université de Montréal in 1940.
Following writing and editing work for British journals, he was approached in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway to work on their European publicity program. In 1913, he was appointed general publicity agent in Montreal. For thirty years he promoted Canadian culture and the CPR He was responsible for the inauguration of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and Highland Gatherings.
Gibbon was a prolific author and in 1921 became the founding president of the Canadian Authors Association (CAA), which he co-founded with Stephen Leacock, Pelham Edgar and B.K. Sandwell. The CAA lobbied for the protection of authors’ rights and went on to establish the Governor General’s Literary Awards in 1936. Gibbon received the award, in the non-fiction category, for Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation (1938), in which he argued against the American idea of a “cultural melting pot” that encouraged immigrants to cut ties with their culture of origin and assimilate into a homogenous society. Canadian Mosaic greatly influenced Canada’s immigration policies and multicultural attitudes throughout the latter half of the 20th century, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to John Murray Gibbon's personal life, his involvement with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Skyline Hikers, and his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes manuscripts titled "Scot to Canadian: one of more than a million" by John Murray Gibbon (204 p.) and "John Murray Gibbon (1875-1952)" by Watson Kirkconnell; a letter from Gibbon to Francis Dickie concerning trail riding; published articles and obituaries; and a scrapbook pertaining to trips with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Skyline Hikers, and views of landmarks throughout Canada.
Photographs pertain to John Murray Gibbon and activities, including Highland Gatherings and Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies trips; also Gibbon's funeral, 1952.
Pincoe, R., & Phillipson, D. (2015). John Murray Gibbon. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-murray-gibbon-emc
Title Source
Title based on accession records and contents of fonds
Fonds consists of research materials, publications, ephemera, and other materials collected by Jon Whelan. Fonds includes three Canadian Pacific bell boy log books, 1970-1980; five bound scrapbooks with collected newspaper clippings, ca.1880-1890; and collected advertisements and articles pertainin…
Jon Whelan (1952-2022) was a researcher, historian, and collector based in Banff, Alberta. Jon had a special interest in topics related to Banff National Park and Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Jon conducted independent research, as well as research for various authors and historians, from the 1980s onwards. Jon was also an active participant in municipal politics in Banff.
"For most of Jon’s life, he was engaged in community affairs and fearless in voicing an opinion. He was successful in raising public awareness and his tenacity achieved a personal goal, which was to initiate the use of video for regular Town of Banff council meetings. He dedicated himself to the concerns of Banff residents."
-Barry Kelly, Rocky Mountain Outlook, July 30, 2022
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of research materials, publications, ephemera, and other materials collected by Jon Whelan. Fonds includes three Canadian Pacific bell boy log books, 1970-1980; five bound scrapbooks with collected newspaper clippings, ca.1880-1890; and collected advertisements and articles pertaining to Canadian Pacific, Banff, travel and tourism within Canada, and related subjects.
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts …
Some views are by Malcolm Geddes; many were obtained through other sources
Date Range
[1896-2013]
Physical Description
444 photographs: 385 b&w and col. transparencies, 59 b&w prints -- 1 album (28 b&w prints) -- 11 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Malcolm Daniel Geddes, 1866-1927, was a journalist, publisher and mountaineer at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Geddes was one of the founders of the "Farmers and Ranch Review" in 1904, and served as vice-president and editor until his death. He joined the Alpine Club of Canada in 1917, was active in ACC summer camps and served as Honorary Secretary from 1924 to 1926. Geddes was killed in a mountaineering accident on Mount Lefroy in 1927.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts and publications), Malcolm's career in real estate, family letters, financial records, records of mountain ascents and hikes with the Alpine Club of Canada, family trees and genealogical research, and other related materials.
Notes
Fonds consists of three series:
Series I : Professional records
I / A : Published materials
I / B : Manuscripts and notes
I / C : Professional correspondence
Series II : Financial records
Series III : Personal and family records
III / A : Travel and mountain expeditions
III / B : Genealogy and research
III / C : Other personal and family records
Arrangement of fonds was redone by Processing Archivist Kate Skelton between December 2020 and March 2021 to accommodate unprocessed materials from accessions 7846, 2014.8306 and 2015.8558
Fonds consists of materials collected by, and pertaining to, Maryalice Harvey Stewart. Content includes daybooks, notebooks, correspondence and various notes collected by Maryalice during her time working as Director of the Archives of the Canadian Rockies (now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rock…
49 photographs: prints, negatives. -- 1 m textual records. -- 60 sound recordings: 52 audio cassettes, 8 reels
History / Biographical
Maryalice Harvey Stewart, 1923-2001, was Director of the Archives of the Canadian Rockies (now Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies) at Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1965 to 1976. She continued to do historical projects and was known for her knowledge of Banff and Rocky Mountain history.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials collected by, and pertaining to, Maryalice Harvey Stewart. Content includes daybooks, notebooks, correspondence and various notes collected by Maryalice during her time working as Director of the Archives of the Canadian Rockies (now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Archives and Special Collections); research materials pertaining to the town of Banff, the Brewster family and other local subjects; personal interest materials, including cassette recordings of documentaries and lectures; personal materials, including correspondence, photographs, Maryalice's birth certificate, certifications and awards, and sheet music; and other related materials.
Fonds consists of the following series and sub-series:
Series I : Professional records
Series I has two sub-series:
I / A : Archives of the Canadian Rockies records (includes cataloguing cards, notes and other materials pertaining to Maryalice's role as Archivist/Director at the Archives of the Canadian Rockies between 1965-1976)
I / B : Research and other professional records (includes Brewster family research notes, materials from various committees and organizations which Maryalice was involved in, documents related to an oral history project completed in 2000, professional correspondence, and related materials)
Series II: Personal records (includes collected materials, personal interest materials, cassette recordings of documentaries and other subjects, sheet music, and various certificates and awards given to Maryalice).
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…
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.
File consists of three textual publications and a subject index booklet for a separate publication [accompanying publication not present in fonds]. Content pertains to the history of the Calgary Herald [ca. 1905]; the Alberta Division Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association; the history of Calgary's…
2 cm of textual records (4 volumes ; 23 x 29.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of three textual publications and a subject index booklet for a separate publication [accompanying publication not present in fonds]. Content pertains to the history of the Calgary Herald [ca. 1905]; the Alberta Division Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association; the history of Calgary's business and financial development; and Alberta's economy.
Contains 1 copy of 'The Silent Force' by T. Morris Longstreth (1927) with attached print and annotations; 1 field journal, lined, labelled 'G. T. P. Ry. No. 1060', signed by 'H.S. Jordan' listing property payment amounts in Vancouver, dated 1914-1916; 1 copy of 'Lake Louise: A Diamond in the Wilder…
Produced by T. Morris Longstreth , H.S. Jordan , Jon Whyte and Carole Harmon , Kathleen Mann , Arnold Newman
Date Range
1927
1939
1979
1982
Physical Description
Textual Records: books
Scope & Content
Contains 1 copy of 'The Silent Force' by T. Morris Longstreth (1927) with attached print and annotations; 1 field journal, lined, labelled 'G. T. P. Ry. No. 1060', signed by 'H.S. Jordan' listing property payment amounts in Vancouver, dated 1914-1916; 1 copy of 'Lake Louise: A Diamond in the Wilderness' by Jon Whyte and Carole Harmon (1982) with personal note to Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant by Jon Whyte; 1 copy of 'Design from Peasant Art' by Kathleen Mann (1939) containing various sketches and collected clippings by Ivy 'Willie' Morant; 1 copy of 'The Great British' by Arnold Newman (1979) with personal note to Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant from 'Carol and Don'.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 30 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 34
Items in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Items in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Items in this file with risky materials attached to surface, such as adhesives, must be covered with an acid-free paper barrier to protect adjacent items.
File consists of Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies bulletins from 1931-1974 [some annotated] and one "Skyline Trails" bulletin [1960]. Content pertains to views and events from previous trips, schedules and planned destinations of trail rides, and membership lists.
File consists of Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies bulletins from 1931-1974 [some annotated] and one "Skyline Trails" bulletin [1960]. Content pertains to views and events from previous trips, schedules and planned destinations of trail rides, and membership lists.
Notes
Brochures are organized by date [see "Content Details"]
File consists of 3 cm of textual records, 22 x 28.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to various ephemera and collected materials that Jean collected over the years. File includes ephemera from concerts and recitals performed by Jean's students (1933), a copy of The Beaver magazine from September 1940 (…
File consists of 3 cm of textual records, 22 x 28.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to various ephemera and collected materials that Jean collected over the years. File includes ephemera from concerts and recitals performed by Jean's students (1933), a copy of The Beaver magazine from September 1940 (one of Jean's articles, "On the Trail of Sir George," was published in this issue), and various collected handwritten and typed poems (including "Fairies of Canada" by Rose Fyleman).
Notes
Jean's article in The Beaver was about Sir George Simpson.
Includes some related newspaper clippings.
The Beaver magazine was founded in 1920 by the Hudson's Bay Company. The pages of this issue are not in order and some are missing. You can see the full issue on Canada's History Archive: https://canadashistory.partica.online/canadas-history/the-beaver-september-1940/flipbook/1/
File consists of collected newspaper articles and other published materials. File includes a Trail Riders and Skyline Hikers bulletin [ca.1938] with an image of Maryalice and trail rider Steve Cody on the cover; several newspaper articles pertaining to Maryalice's career, hobbies, and friends (incl…
File consists of collected newspaper articles and other published materials. File includes a Trail Riders and Skyline Hikers bulletin [ca.1938] with an image of Maryalice and trail rider Steve Cody on the cover; several newspaper articles pertaining to Maryalice's career, hobbies, and friends (including Lorna Oliver and Reverend R. M. Bourke); and a journal article from the Nature Conservation Society of Japan.
File consists of three published records collected by Marshall Diverty, who served as President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in 1943. File includes one copy of a 1941 Banff Indian Days pamphlet; "Historical Summary of the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, 1933-1970"; and a sign…
File consists of three published records collected by Marshall Diverty, who served as President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in 1943. File includes one copy of a 1941 Banff Indian Days pamphlet; "Historical Summary of the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, 1933-1970"; and a signed copy of "History of Moraine Lake" by Lillian Gest.
File consists of personal correspondence between Aileen Harmon and numerous friends and family members. Includes a letter from John Macdonald pertaining to Aileen Harmon's Canadian Geographic article, a wedding programme for the marriage of Carole Harmon and Gary Sill, numerous Christmas letters, a…
File consists of personal correspondence between Aileen Harmon and numerous friends and family members. Includes a letter from John Macdonald pertaining to Aileen Harmon's Canadian Geographic article, a wedding programme for the marriage of Carole Harmon and Gary Sill, numerous Christmas letters, an envelope labelled "For the travellin' man Happy New Year" containing three Ethiopian dollar bills and one 10-shilling South African bank note, and a card celebrating Aileen Harmon's 100th birthday.
Currency has been stored in mylar inside folder with original envelope. Consider separate storage (i.e. individual folder) if off-gassing becomes an issue
File consists of personal correspondence and personal items including a cheque register with cheque stubs and a brass name plate for calling cards [Mrs. George E. Luxton]. Also included is a City of Winnipeg tax receipt made out to Mrs. Geo. E. Luxton, 1907; a magazine cover, Minneapolis Sunday Tr…
File consists of personal correspondence and personal items including a cheque register with cheque stubs and a brass name plate for calling cards [Mrs. George E. Luxton]. Also included is a City of Winnipeg tax receipt made out to Mrs. Geo. E. Luxton, 1907; a magazine cover, Minneapolis Sunday Tribune, June 3, 1951 featuring George Luxton; and two newspaper articles pertaining to George and Patricia Luxton's meetings with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor [1941 and ca. 1937-1940 respectively].
File consists of published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the study of Geomorphology and the Pleistocene Epoch. File includes one photograph print sent to Ben Gadd depicting a boulder [in file M590/II/A/32].
12 cm of textual records -- 1 photograph : col. print
Scope & Content
File consists of published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the study of Geomorphology and the Pleistocene Epoch. File includes one photograph print sent to Ben Gadd depicting a boulder [in file M590/II/A/32].
Storage Range
Materials stored in two file boxes: M590/II/A/26 to 32 and M590/II/A/33 to 38
File consists of weekly publications of "Here's Alberta - People and Places" commentary distributed by Calgary Power Ltd. between 1952 and 1955. Content pertains to highlights and biographical summaries of notable people in Alberta. November 23, 1952 issue pertains to Norman Luxton.
Publications in LUX / II / F1 / 57 attributed to Margaret Maw
Date Range
1952-1955
Physical Description
1.5 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of weekly publications of "Here's Alberta - People and Places" commentary distributed by Calgary Power Ltd. between 1952 and 1955. Content pertains to highlights and biographical summaries of notable people in Alberta. November 23, 1952 issue pertains to Norman Luxton.
Items have been stored in three file folders, arranged by date:
LUX / II / F1 / 57 : 1952-1953
LUX / II / F1 / 58 : 1953-1954
LUX / II / F1 / 59 : 1954-1955
File consists of 38 membership tickets in the names of Maud Kidney, Mr. M. Deegan and Mary Deegan; a book of songs and poems; event programs; booklets of by-laws and instructions; blank membership forms; three copies of newsletter "The Prairie Odd Fellow" [December 1964 - February 1965]; and corres…
File consists of 38 membership tickets in the names of Maud Kidney, Mr. M. Deegan and Mary Deegan; a book of songs and poems; event programs; booklets of by-laws and instructions; blank membership forms; three copies of newsletter "The Prairie Odd Fellow" [December 1964 - February 1965]; and correspondence sent to Maud Kidney. Content pertains to he Independent Order of Oddfellows and Rebekah Lodge No. 34 in Banff.
Notes
Collection of membership certificates partly overlap with date ranges for subseries M74 / IV / C [1946 - 1970] but have been kept together for context
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings pertaining to King George VI's coronation and Queen Elizabeth; newspaper clippings relating to British West Indies, Australia and other Empire colonies as well as related stories. Scrapbook also includes articles relating to King George VI and family. Also …
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings pertaining to King George VI's coronation and Queen Elizabeth; newspaper clippings relating to British West Indies, Australia and other Empire colonies as well as related stories. Scrapbook also includes articles relating to King George VI and family. Also included are two file folders containing:
four postcards bearing images of the King and Queen's visit to Belfast, troops inspections and two publications titled: "Their Majesties' Canadian Visit, 1939" and a timetable of Pilot train and boats and itinerary of activities [placed in a mylar sleeve and file folder].
booklet and b&w photographs relating to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's Royal Visit, 1939 [placed in a file folder].
File consists of published works written by members of the Luxton family. File includes copies of psalm book "The Harvest of Sunshine" by George [Nasmith] Luxton, "The Golden Link" address by Eleanor Luxton, copies of an Indigenous psalm translated by Norman Luxton, early copies of the Crag and Can…
File consists of published works written by members of the Luxton family. File includes copies of psalm book "The Harvest of Sunshine" by George [Nasmith] Luxton, "The Golden Link" address by Eleanor Luxton, copies of an Indigenous psalm translated by Norman Luxton, early copies of the Crag and Canyon [1905-1908], "The Climber" magazine [1906], and an original copy [1872] and reprinted publication [1874] of the Manitoba Free Press.