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.
Sub-series consists of 14 oversize b&w prints, some mounted. The prints pertain to various portraits of locals taken by Peter Whyte and portraits by other photographers including a mounted print by Byron Harmon. Persons identified are Mrs. Hansen Bearspaw, Professor Macoun, Peter Ear, Peter Bearspa…
Sub-series consists of 14 oversize b&w prints, some mounted. The prints pertain to various portraits of locals taken by Peter Whyte and portraits by other photographers including a mounted print by Byron Harmon. Persons identified are Mrs. Hansen Bearspaw, Professor Macoun, Peter Ear, Peter Bearspaw, Paul Amos, David Bearspaw, Paul Daniels, Enoch Rider, Lazarus Dixon, Red Cloud, Moses Wesley,
V683 / II / C / PA - 380 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 382 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 383 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 384 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 385 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 386 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 387 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 388 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 389 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 390 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 391 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 392 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 393 O.S.
V683 / II / C / PA - 394 O.S.
File consists of 7 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to Catharine Robb Whyte and her activities and interests. Prints document Catharine being made a Stoney princess and there is one image of Catharine sitting with a headdress near the Whyte Museum. The man documented is Grant MacEwen, Lieutenant Go…
File consists of 7 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to Catharine Robb Whyte and her activities and interests. Prints document Catharine being made a Stoney princess and there is one image of Catharine sitting with a headdress near the Whyte Museum. The man documented is Grant MacEwen, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta from 1968-1976.
Notes
Paul Dixon Sr. can be seen on the very left of PA - 07 wearing a headdress and gloves with tasselled gauntlets, clapping.
File consists of 44 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to Peter Whyte and his interests and activities. Prints include images of Stanley Maxted (?), Carl Rungius with a child, Mary MacDonald, Lorraine (?), R. J. Vermaire, Richard Nevill (?), Dr. Harry Brett, Otto Odegarde, Alex Douglas, Jack White, …
File consists of 44 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to Peter Whyte and his interests and activities. Prints include images of Stanley Maxted (?), Carl Rungius with a child, Mary MacDonald, Lorraine (?), R. J. Vermaire, Richard Nevill (?), Dr. Harry Brett, Otto Odegarde, Alex Douglas, Jack White, Allan Mather, Cliff White, Fulton Dunsmore, Edward Feuz, Cyril Paris, Gus Johnson, Ed Young, Basil Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Paris, the Stockand children and Florence Edith Robinson, Helen Robinson, Billy Lennox, Anne Lennox and Barbara Mather and Catherine Brett. Also includes images of the Stockand Family in California and Banff, Dave White's old house in New Brunswick, Peter in Honolulu, Peter and Catharine in front of a teepee, John D. Curren and Katherine Dunnigan, and a photo of Dave White at college.
File consists of 18 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Russell Robb as a young man, with Russell Robb Jr., with Catharine and Edith, at the Grand Canyon and Pike's Peak, Colorado in 1916, and professional portraits. Some images have mat…
File consists of 18 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Russell Robb as a young man, with Russell Robb Jr., with Catharine and Edith, at the Grand Canyon and Pike's Peak, Colorado in 1916, and professional portraits. Some images have matting. Some images are annotated.
File consists of 33 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Russell Robb Jr. as a young boy, his mother Edith giving him a haircut, in the garden with John Edward, with John E. Morse, Catherine Robb, Edith Morse, Annette Morse, and Julia Mors…
File consists of 33 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Russell Robb Jr. as a young boy, his mother Edith giving him a haircut, in the garden with John Edward, with John E. Morse, Catherine Robb, Edith Morse, Annette Morse, and Julia Morse in the garden in Concord, Mass., with Mrs. Russell Robb, their wedding with Catharine present (?), Gale and Rusty with Kitty, and Russell Robb Jr. in uniform.
File consists of 29 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Mary and Kate (Newbury) S. Robb, Patric Robb, Marian Robb, K. Armstrong, David, Russell Robb's grandmother, and a print of the Newbury/Sergeant family tree.
File consists of 29 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include images of Mary and Kate (Newbury) S. Robb, Patric Robb, Marian Robb, K. Armstrong, David, Russell Robb's grandmother, and a print of the Newbury/Sergeant family tree.
File consists of 18 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the White/Curren family. Images are of J.D. Curran as a young man, Annie Curran White as a young girl, Annie with the children and in front of the White Park Store, a trip to Mt. Assiniboine, and various images around Banff. Other people are…
File consists of 18 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the White/Curren family. Images are of J.D. Curran as a young man, Annie Curran White as a young girl, Annie with the children and in front of the White Park Store, a trip to Mt. Assiniboine, and various images around Banff. Other people are unidentified. Some images are annotated.
Sub-series consists of 17 oversize b&w prints. The prints relate to the Robb and Morse families. The prints pertain to Catharine's school photos, studio family portraits of Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith Morse Robb, Catharine Robb, and Russell Robb, exterior and interior of a house.
Sub-series consists of 17 oversize b&w prints. The prints relate to the Robb and Morse families. The prints pertain to Catharine's school photos, studio family portraits of Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith Morse Robb, Catharine Robb, and Russell Robb, exterior and interior of a house.
V683 / IV / A / PA - 616 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 617 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 618 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 619 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 620 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 621 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 622 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 623 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 624 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 625 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 626 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 627 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 628 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 629 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 630 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 631 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 632 O.S
V683 / IV / A / PA - 633 O.S
Album contains 30 b&w cabinet cards, 4 b&w tin types, 3 b&w prints, slipped into apertures, some captioned. Prints, cabinet cards, and tintypes relate to portraits of family and friends of the White and Curren Families.
Individuals pictured in the album include: John D. Curren, May Whyte Campbell, …
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (37 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 30 b&w cabinet cards, 4 b&w tin types, 3 b&w prints, slipped into apertures, some captioned. Prints, cabinet cards, and tintypes relate to portraits of family and friends of the White and Curren Families.
Individuals pictured in the album include: John D. Curren, May Whyte Campbell, Annie Curren, the 2nd Mrs.John Curren, Mrs. Florence, Bill Peyto, Mary Lamb (I.Lamb's sister), Mike Kavanaugh, Bella Curren (sister of Annie White), Dave Whyte, Elizabeth White Jones (sister of Dave White), Fred W. Atkinson, and Jim McGravy.
Photographic Studios noted on the cabinet cards include: Taylor and Sons, Kirkaldy, est. 1868; Trask, Philidelphia; R.H.Trueman & co., Vancouver, BC; Weese, Artist, Bellville; Wilbur M. Lee, Oconto, Wis; Byron Harmon, Banff; A.E.McDiarmid, Calgary, NWT; Trueman&Caple, Vancouver; A.Lamb, photographer.
Commercial cabinet card album. Front and back covers are covered in velvet. The front cover features a botanical motif and the word ‘album’ in low-relief. The cover is stained and has been damaged. Some of the velvet on the front page and spine has been worn off. Velvet on back cover is mostly intact. Album has a metal clasp that no longer closes. Album contains 28 pages, 3 empty apertures. Two of the empty apertures contain sketches possibly by Peter Whyte (pages 1 and 17). Sketches are done in pencil on backing paper of the apertures. Sketches are profiles of unknown subjects.