Fonds consists of three series: I. Personal, literary and research papers, 1907-ca.1935; II. Mary Schaffer photographs, 1893-ca.1920; II. Other, 1895-1928. I. Papers series consists of four sub-series: A. Correspondence, 1908-1922; B. Literary manuscripts (original and published), 1907-ca.1925; …
35 cm of textual records. -- ca.2025 photographs (ca.1550 transparencies, ca.400 negatives, 75 prints). -- 7 photograph albums (ca.1760 prints)
History / Biographical
Mary Schaffer, 1861-1939, also known as Mary Schaffer Warren, was an American explorer, photographer and artist who visited the Canadian Rockies and Selkirk Mountains frequently beginning in 1888, finally settling in Banff, Alberta in 1912. Born Mary Townsend Sharples to moderately wealthy Quaker parents at West Chester, Pennsylvania, she first visited the Canadian Rockies and Selkirk Mountains in 1888 with her friend Mary Vaux. She returned the following year with her husband, Dr. Charles Schaffer, and until Charles died in 1903, the Schaffers travelled annually to the mountains to study botany. Using Dr. Schaffer's data and her drawings and photographs, Mary Schaffer and Stewardson Brown completed "Alpine flora of the Canadian Rocky Mountains" in 1907.
Schaffer continued to travel in the Canadian mountains, often through remote regions. In 1908, she reached Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, and returned in 1911 to survey the region. "Old Indian Trails of the Canadian Rockies," 1911, recounts her adventures of 1907 and 1908. Schaffer settled in Banff in 1912 and married her guide, Billy Warren, in 1915.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three series: I. Personal, literary and research papers, 1907-ca.1935; II. Mary Schaffer photographs, 1893-ca.1920; II. Other, 1895-1928.
I. Papers series consists of four sub-series: A. Correspondence, 1908-1922; B. Literary manuscripts (original and published), 1907-ca.1925; C. Maps of Maligne Lake; D. Other, 1905-ca.1935. Literary manuscripts pertain to the Athabasca River, Maligne Lake, Howse, Yellowhead and Athabasca passes; hunting; Dr. Gilbert Atkin and Nurse Fulcher's medical mission to Ya Ha Tinda Ranch; Banff, Revelstoke BC, Saskatchewan River; Stoney Nakoda; Palliser Expedition; and Mary Schaffer life and activities.
II. Photographs series consists of four sub-series: A. Lantern slides; B. Photograph albums; C. Negatives; D. Prints. Lantern slides pertain to Mary Schaffer's trips to Maligne Lake and Yellowhead Pass, mountain scenics, nature subjects (animals, birds, flowers); and includes Mary Schaffer's lantern slide presentations "In the Heart of the Canadian Rockies", accompanied by scripts; Philip Moore's Indigenous lecture series, mainly copies from books and other graphic sources; and Mary Schaffer's slides of China and Japan. Photograph albums, 1908-ca.1921, pertain mainly to trips in the Canadian Rocky and Selkirk Mountains, especially expeditions to the Yoho and Ptarmigan Valleys, Nakimu Caves, North Saskatchewan River, Wilcox Pass and Maligne Lake. Two albums pertain to travels in Mexico and Asia. Negatives pertain mainly to Schaffer's trips and explorations, Glacier House and environs, alpine flora and fauna, mountain views, portraits, Sampson Beaver family, 1902-1911.
III. Other material series consists of diaries of Molly Adams, 1908, and Mrs. H. H. Sharples, 1911, and original manuscripts and published reports by other writers, 1895-1928.
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 …
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.
Transparencies are hand-coloured and black and white lantern slide portraits and illustrations of material culture of native people in western Canada. Includes Stoney Nakoda and Banff Indian Days activities. Some transparencies are by Byron Harmon and Mary Schaffer. Also includes illustrations and …
Transparencies are hand-coloured and black and white lantern slide portraits and illustrations of material culture of native people in western Canada. Includes Stoney Nakoda and Banff Indian Days activities. Some transparencies are by Byron Harmon and Mary Schaffer. Also includes illustrations and comparative views of American - Indian culture
Finding Aid
Copy prints are available for reference use
Location (Copy)
Reference prints are available
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Content Details
LIST OF LANTERN SLIDES - V527 / PS 1 :
#669 - [Children's drawings of Indigenous people]
#670 - Camping circle at the time of the Sundance [children's drawings of Indigenous people]
#671 - [Children's drawing Indigenous people - Sundance ceremony]
#672 - [Children's drawing Indigenous people - Sundance ceremony]
#673 - [Children's drawing Indigenous People - Sundance ceremony]
#674 - [Indigenous People gathered around Sundance lodge]
#675 - [Illustration of Indigenous ceremony - Mary Irvin Wright]
#676 – Indigenous People at Windermere
#677 - Maligne Canyon Jasper National Park [Indigenous in ceremonial costume]
#678 - [Unidentified church and cemetery]
#679 - [Portrait of Indigenous man] / [Byron Harmon]
#680 - [Portrait of Stoney (John Hunter?)] / [Byron Harmon]
#681 - [Portrait of Indigenous man] / [Byron Harmon]
#682 - [Portrait of Stoney Nakoda Tom and John Chiniquay]
#683 - Indian Days Banff [Stoney Indigenous camp at foot of Cascade Mtn.]
#684 - [Stoney Indigenous child on horseback]
#685 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#686 – [Indigenous people] in Banff National Park
#687 - [Joshua and William Twin on horseback at Banff Springs Hotel]
#688 - Putting up branches around Sundance Lodge - at Morley
#689 - [Indigenous camp at foot of Cascade Mountain Banff Indian days]
#690 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#691 - Prairie Chicken Dance [Banff Indian days]
#692 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#693 - [Portrait of Indigenous woman]
#694 - [Indigenous dancers at Banff Indian days]
#695 - [Indigenous man dancing]
#696 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#697 - [Group of Indigenous people in ceremonial dress]
#698 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#699 - Indigenous Tepees, Banff National Park
#700 - [Sundance ceremony]
#701 - [Decorated tepee]
#702 - [Illustrated Indigenous garment]
#703 - [Decorated Indigenous tepee]
#704 - [Group of Stoney Nakoda at Kootenay Plains in winter]
#705 - [Indigenous woman with papoose]
#706 - [Illustration of cairn and buffalo skull]
#707 - [Illustration of arrow quivers]
#708 - [Illustration of Indigenous pipes]
#709 - [Illustration of decorated Indigenous shirt]
#710 - [Illustration of pictographs]
#711 - Thunder Bird Stone, Kamsack, Sask.
#712 - [Illustration comparing mounted knights with Indigenous warriors]
#713 - [Children's drawing of Indigenous ceremony]
#714 - [Illustration of Indigenous thinking of buffalo]
#715 - [Illustrated buffalo hide]
#716 - [Decorated Indigenous carry bags]
#717 - [Children's drawings] Battle of Little Bighorn Custer's Dead Cavalry
#718 - [Indigenous design]
#719 - [Painting of group of Indigenous people gambling] Mary Irvin Wright
#720 - [Thunderbird design]
#721 - [Painting of missionary preaching to Indigenous people]
#726 - [Illustration of Indigenous frightening buffalo with blanket]
#727 - Old Braves Society
#728 - Two Indigenous Travois, Peter Year [Ear] & John Hunter
#729 - Old Singers in Sun Dance. Black Feather Society. Includes: l. Black Eagle 2. Peace Maker 3. The Fox 4. Little Person 5. Wolf Carrier 6. N. Axe 7. Not Good.
#730 - [Painting of Indigenous people gambling by Mary Irvin Wright]
#731 - [Indigenous woman with papoose]
#732 - Indigenous Guide (Joe Healy)
#733 - [Indigenous man wearing treaty medal]
#734 - [Indigenous man]
#735 - [Sunset on unidentified mountain]
#736 - [Painting of Indigenous ceremony by Mary Irvin Wright]
#737 - [Indigenous man]
#738 - Buffalo - a holdup 1869
#739 - Group of Eskimos at Douglas Harbour Hudson Strait
#740 - [Group of five Indigenous men]
#741 - Point Hope, Alaska. Eskimo kyak
#742 - [Indigenous wearing mask and blanket]
#743 - [Peter Whyte painting Indigenous portrait]
#744 - [Portrait of Indigenous man]
#745 - [Indigenous ploughing field with horses]
#746 - [Indigenous woman cooking on fire] / [Byron Harmon]
#747 - Indigenous Grave near Tete Jaune
#748 - [Stagecoach]
#749 - [Illustration of Indigenous people attacking wagon train]
#750 - [Painting of Indigenous person killed in attack on camp] Mary Irvin Wright