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 textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sen…
Some materials produced by Catharine (Adams) Elkin
Date Range
[ca.1844 - 1909]
[ca.1939 - 1944]
1980 - 1981
2014
Physical Description
21 cm of textual records -- 16 postcards -- 3 drawings -- 1 photograph album : 107 b&w photographs
History / Biographical
Mary Wright (Molly) Adams was born on 15 October 1868. in Ridgefield Connecticut. She was the third of five children born to Cornelia Ann Cook (1830-1902) and Daniel Lucius Adams (1814 - 1899) She died in Kobe, Japan on 23 January 1909 and was buried there.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sent between Molly's extended family members [including members of the Adams, Cook and Wright families], ca.1844 and 1866.
Textual records primarily consist of correspondence sent between Molly Adams and various friends and family members [ca.1891-1909].
Notes
Fonds consists of two series:
Series I : Correspondence [contains two sub-series: I / A : Molly Wright Adams ; I / B : Extended family]
Series II : Personal and collected records
File consists of 168 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 54 colour transparencies. Content pertains to cruise ships, glaciers and scenery, travellers, activities in British Columbia and Alaska. Includes ships: Princess Kathleen (betw.1948 and 1952), Princess Marguerite II and Princess Patricia.
222 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 168 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 54 colour transparencies. Content pertains to cruise ships, glaciers and scenery, travellers, activities in British Columbia and Alaska. Includes ships: Princess Kathleen (betw.1948 and 1952), Princess Marguerite II and Princess Patricia.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives and transparencies are stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E.…
1 cm of textual records (5 items ; 15 x 30.5 cm and smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery in California; "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City; and various community events and a state fair in Minot, North Dakota.
Notes
Handbook is signed "N.K. Luxton" inside front cover
File consists of brochures, souvenir booklets, travel guides and related materials pertaining to Canadian Pacific trips and destinations within North America. Locations include: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park; the Empress Hotel in Victoria; British Columbia; Ontario and the the Great L…
File consists of brochures, souvenir booklets, travel guides and related materials pertaining to Canadian Pacific trips and destinations within North America. Locations include: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park; the Empress Hotel in Victoria; British Columbia; Ontario and the the Great Lakes; Quebec; Alaska; and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. File also includes a map of the Canadian Pacific rail system [1918] and a copy of "Empress of the Pacific" cruise magazine [1936].
Items divided into 3 files:
LUX/II/C4/15: Ontario, Quebec, Alaska and Canadian coastal guide books [ca. 1915-1920]
LUX/II/C4/16: Canadian Rockies guides and information booklets
LUX/II/C4/17: Other Canadian Pacific material
File consists of collected newspaper clippings and volumes published between 1907 and 1956. Content includes an early edition of the Crag and Canyon [August 24, 1907]; a scanned copy of a 1949 article from the New York Times discussing inflation rates between 1834 and 1949 [annotated]; a summer 195…
File consists of collected newspaper clippings and volumes published between 1907 and 1956. Content includes an early edition of the Crag and Canyon [August 24, 1907]; a scanned copy of a 1949 article from the New York Times discussing inflation rates between 1834 and 1949 [annotated]; a summer 1956 issue of "The Calgarian" signed on the cover by "Bessie L.[?] MacKay"; a loose article describing stretches and home exercises; and a four-page article from "Mining World" by Donald MacDonald discussing the construction of a coastal highway to Alaska.
Notes
New York Times scanned article has rough pencil sketch [possibly building layout?] on back side and math equations written on front in pencil
File consists of 10 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs depict children fishing and attending school, two pictures from the wedding of Hugh Lee, Eleanor Luxton and friends in Quebec [ca.1990], and a portrait of an unidentified RCMP officer.
10 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 23 x 28 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 10 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs depict children fishing and attending school, two pictures from the wedding of Hugh Lee, Eleanor Luxton and friends in Quebec [ca.1990], and a portrait of an unidentified RCMP officer.
File consists of collected commercial postcards from Canada, the United States, Central America, Europe and the United Kingdom [non-annotated]. File includes loose postcards, postcard sets and fold-out photo card booklets.
ca. 630 b&w and col. postcards ; 23 x 18 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of collected commercial postcards from Canada, the United States, Central America, Europe and the United Kingdom [non-annotated]. File includes loose postcards, postcard sets and fold-out photo card booklets.
Notes
Items in this file have been organized by geographical location. See "Content Details" entry field for contents of individual folders.
File is organized into 8 folders, numbered LUX / III / D / PG - 1 to 8.
PG - 1 : Banff National Park
PG - 2 : Canadian Rockies and Selkirks
PG - 3 : Alberta and British Columbia [Other]
PG - 4 : Canada
PG - 5 : United States of America
PG - 6 : United States of America, cont.'d [postcard sets and 1933 Chicago World Fair]
PG - 7 : Foreign
PG - 8 : Other [location not specified]
File consists of photographs pertaining to travel photos, family and group portraits, and other events involving friends of the Luxton family. Includes images of unidentified individuals in Egypt, standing by a large glacier in the Rockies, visiting Stanford University, and feeding birds in Paris[?…
27 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 13.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs pertaining to travel photos, family and group portraits, and other events involving friends of the Luxton family. Includes images of unidentified individuals in Egypt, standing by a large glacier in the Rockies, visiting Stanford University, and feeding birds in Paris[?]; group portraits of unidentified children; a pack train fording the Pipestone River; and related views.
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 one personal photograph album [likely created by Eleanor Luxton]. Content pertains to staff members of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation Aircraft Division and related events including a dinner party in New York, as well as friends and relatives of the Luxton family. Includes images of…
Some photographs produced by Associated Screen News Ltd., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Byron Harmon
Date Range
[ca. 1910]
[ca. 1920 - ca. 1930]
[ca. 1940 - ca. 1945]
1941 - 1944
1950
1954
1956
[ca. 1960 - ca. 1970]
1967 - 1969
Physical Description
1 album (193 b&w photographs ; 20 x 25.5 cm or smaller -- 2 textual records)
Scope & Content
File consists of one personal photograph album [likely created by Eleanor Luxton]. Content pertains to staff members of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation Aircraft Division and related events including a dinner party in New York, as well as friends and relatives of the Luxton family. Includes images of Eleanor Luxton as a child and as an adult, group and individual portraits of mostly unidentified individuals [likely immediate and extended family and friends of Eleanor, including Norman and Georgina Luxton], unidentified children playing, images from the Calgary Stampede parade [ca. 1940s], unidentified Indigenous groups and individuals [possibly Stoney Nakoda community members during Banff Indian Days], Dr. Casey's Ranch [1944], and a family picnic. File also includes one small textual record describing a 1943 Curtiss-Wright Corporation staff event, as well as an annotated Christmas card from Ruth and Frank Neustadt [n.d.].
Notes
Some items are annotated on back
Items not in chronological or other clear order
Material Details
Album has clear plastic layer on surface of front and back covers
Green plastic stitched around border of both covers and side bindings
File consists of 72 photographs pertaining to various friends and family members of Eleanor Luxton. File includes images of a hike along the Great Divide Trail[?]; taxidermy displays from Norman Luxton's curio shop; photographs from Eleanor Luxton's cruise to Hawaii, Japan and China in 1937; a choi…
72 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 17.5 x 11 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 72 photographs pertaining to various friends and family members of Eleanor Luxton. File includes images of a hike along the Great Divide Trail[?]; taxidermy displays from Norman Luxton's curio shop; photographs from Eleanor Luxton's cruise to Hawaii, Japan and China in 1937; a choir performance; and various friends and family members.
File consists of 18 photograph prints given to Norman Luxton by family and friends [mostly annotated]. Includes signed portraits of Red Cathcart, Emory Staley, Norman Ferguson, Tommy Burns, Jack Fuller, Eugene LaPorte, Robert LaPorte, Ernie Kehr, E. E. Gammon, “Norma”, and Mark Poucette. File also…
18 photographs : b&w prints ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller -- 2 newspaper clippings
Scope & Content
File consists of 18 photograph prints given to Norman Luxton by family and friends [mostly annotated]. Includes signed portraits of Red Cathcart, Emory Staley, Norman Ferguson, Tommy Burns, Jack Fuller, Eugene LaPorte, Robert LaPorte, Ernie Kehr, E. E. Gammon, “Norma”, and Mark Poucette. File also contains two newspaper clippings pertaining to Eugene LaPorte and Ernie Kehr.
Notes
Newspaper clipping re: Ernie Kehr stored with related photograph [LUX/I/E4/PA-481].
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messag…
34 photographs : b&w prints ; 12.5 x 15 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messages written to Norman Luxton. Photograph images pertain to a fishing trip in Grande Prairie; men in military uniforms during World War II, including some taken during active duty in England; personal and group portraits; a war monument in Verdun, France; historic ships and boats; scenic views of Mistaya Canyon and Minnewanka; wildlife, including birds and a marten; and family pets.
Notes
Annotations on some photographs partly illegible or difficult to discern
File consists of 4 photograph prints depicting original paintings by wildlife artist George Browne. Content pertains to birds mid-flight in marshland and open field environments, including ducks, geese and a Hungarian partridge. Images are annotated on back with painting titles and dimensions, and …
Some photographs produced by LaFayette Studio, San Francisco
Date Range
[1955-1958]
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w prints ; 25.5 x 20 cm and 25.5 x 19 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 photograph prints depicting original paintings by wildlife artist George Browne. Content pertains to birds mid-flight in marshland and open field environments, including ducks, geese and a Hungarian partridge. Images are annotated on back with painting titles and dimensions, and items LUX/I/E4/PA-204 and 205 also have photographer stamp [LaFayette Studios].
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the …
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and UNICEF].
Notes
Some cards have personal photographs printed onto front covers, or have photograph prints physically attached.
File consists of 43 b&w and colour photographs. Content pertains to friends and family members of Eleanor Luxton, views of Banff National Park and Montana, decorations inside the Luxton family home and exterior views, and family Christmas gatherings.
43 photographs : b&w and col.; 19 x 15.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 43 b&w and colour photographs. Content pertains to friends and family members of Eleanor Luxton, views of Banff National Park and Montana, decorations inside the Luxton family home and exterior views, and family Christmas gatherings.
File consists of a commercial foldout collection of paper printed images with descriptions, and two published booklets titled "Indian Notes and Monographs". Content pertains to the history and collections of the Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation.
0.7 cm of textual records (3 volumes ; 11 x 16.5 cm and 15 x 10.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of a commercial foldout collection of paper printed images with descriptions, and two published booklets titled "Indian Notes and Monographs". Content pertains to the history and collections of the Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation.
Notes
Commercial item has been processed and filed with textual items to maintain original order and keep similar content together.
File consists of 437 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Riggall pack trains and camps, and day trips in the Beehive, Kintla Creek, Mount Lyall, Yarrow Creek, Cache Creek and other areas.
File consists of 437 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Riggall pack trains and camps, and day trips in the Beehive, Kintla Creek, Mount Lyall, Yarrow Creek, Cache Creek and other areas.