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
File consists of a signed work agreement, correspondence, research notes, reference materials, newspaper articles and other related documents pertaining to an article titled "The Ravens & the Road: Life & Death on National Park Highways", which Ben wrote for Alberta Views magazine between 2004 and …
File consists of a signed work agreement, correspondence, research notes, reference materials, newspaper articles and other related documents pertaining to an article titled "The Ravens & the Road: Life & Death on National Park Highways", which Ben wrote for Alberta Views magazine between 2004 and 2005.
File consists of one CD containing 18 PDF files and one word document. File includes digital copies of journal articles and published reports pertaining to wildlife migration, roadkill incidents and habitat conservation in Banff National Park. Materials in file were used as research material for an…
File consists of one CD containing 18 PDF files and one word document. File includes digital copies of journal articles and published reports pertaining to wildlife migration, roadkill incidents and habitat conservation in Banff National Park. Materials in file were used as research material for an article which Ben Gadd wrote for Alberta Views magazine between 2004 and 2005, titled "The Ravens & the Road: Life & Death on National Park Highways".
File consists of author's copies of multiple editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Editions in file are annotated with notes and corrections by the author.
File consists of author's copies of multiple editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Editions in file are annotated with notes and corrections by the author.
File consists of design plans, an interpretive outline and an exhibit storyline draft pertaining to a Burgess Shale exhibit project which was produced and displayed by Parks Canada. Materials were collected by Ben Gadd, as part of a work contract to assist with research and text writing for the exh…
File consists of design plans, an interpretive outline and an exhibit storyline draft pertaining to a Burgess Shale exhibit project which was produced and displayed by Parks Canada. Materials were collected by Ben Gadd, as part of a work contract to assist with research and text writing for the exhibit.
File consists of two annotated copies of a text draft produced by Ben Gadd as part of a work contract with Parks Canada. Content pertains to a Burgess Shale exhibit project which was produced and displayed in 2009. File includes one unedited draft with an attached letter from Ben Gadd to Jenny Klaf…
File consists of two annotated copies of a text draft produced by Ben Gadd as part of a work contract with Parks Canada. Content pertains to a Burgess Shale exhibit project which was produced and displayed in 2009. File includes one unedited draft with an attached letter from Ben Gadd to Jenny Klafki, and one draft with edits by Parks Canada staff [possibly Jenny Klafki].
File consists of schedules, lists of images and photograph locations, and illustrations by artists Lonnie Springer and Deke Hammell. Materials in file were used in the creation of Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
Illustrations produced by Lonnie Springer, Deke Hammell
Date Range
2004
2007
Physical Description
0.3 cm of textual records -- 6 illustrations
Scope & Content
File consists of schedules, lists of images and photograph locations, and illustrations by artists Lonnie Springer and Deke Hammell. Materials in file were used in the creation of Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
File consists of four CDs containing 235 image files, 10 text files and one PDF. Content pertains to cartoon illustrations by Lonnie Springer and photographs which were used in Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
File consists of four CDs containing 235 image files, 10 text files and one PDF. Content pertains to cartoon illustrations by Lonnie Springer and photographs which were used in Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
Notes
Contents of individual discs in file:
V810 / II / B / DF - 3 : "Lonnie's Illustrations" [9 image files]
V810 / II / B / DF - 4 : "Lonnie's drawings + photos" [1 PDF]
V810 / II / B / DF - 5 : "Book Photos" [191 image files]
V810 / II / B / DF - 6 : "Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Parks Canada: West Coast Trail Centennial Media Kit 2007" [35 image files, 10 text files]
File consists of completed consent and release forms for individuals whose pictures were taken for use in "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook". File includes forms signed by William G. Fortney, Ed Dominiguez and Jennifer Ortt.
File consists of completed consent and release forms for individuals whose pictures were taken for use in "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook". File includes forms signed by William G. Fortney, Ed Dominiguez and Jennifer Ortt.
File consists of correspondence, contracts and other related materials pertaining to proposed publication agreements between Ben Gadd and various publishing companies regarding "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook". File includes a proposed agreement with Rocky Mountain Books which was r…
File consists of correspondence, contracts and other related materials pertaining to proposed publication agreements between Ben Gadd and various publishing companies regarding "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook". File includes a proposed agreement with Rocky Mountain Books which was rejected by Ben in 2003; a publication agreement which was accepted and later cancelled between Ben and McClelland & Stewart Publishers; and a publication proposal and rejection letter sent between Ben and Raincoast Books.
File consists of photography permits and business license forms and other documents obtained by Ben Gadd for the creation of the book "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook".
File consists of photography permits and business license forms and other documents obtained by Ben Gadd for the creation of the book "The Canadian Hikers' and Backpackers' Handbook".
File consists of one disc containing footage of the launch of Ben Gadd's book, "Canadian Rockies Geology Road Tours", at the Geological Survey of Canada building in Calgary in 2008.
File consists of one disc containing footage of the launch of Ben Gadd's book, "Canadian Rockies Geology Road Tours", at the Geological Survey of Canada building in Calgary in 2008.
Notes
Original annotation on front of disc:
"Canadian Rockies Geology Road Tours Launch at GSC [Geological Survey of Canada] Calgary, 4 Nov 2008 Video by Perry Davis"
File consists of recorded interviews and discussions with Ben Gadd which were broadcast by CBC Radio. Content pertains to wildlife preservation, Ben's book "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", Cadomin Cave and other related subjects.
File consists of recorded interviews and discussions with Ben Gadd which were broadcast by CBC Radio. Content pertains to wildlife preservation, Ben's book "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", Cadomin Cave and other related subjects.
Notes
Contents of file:
S61 / III / D / 1 : Ben Gadd interviewed by Peter Gzowski on CBC "Morningside" Apr. '87 [discusses desktop publishing and Handbook of the Canadian Rockies]
S61 / III / D / 2 : Interview with Peter Gzowski, CBC Radio "Morningside", April 21, 1987
S61 / III / D / 3 : Ben Gadd on CBC openline show, 12/87
S61 / III / D / 4 : Ben Gadd on CBC Radio, Edmonton '87-88
S61 / III / D / 5 : Trip to Cadomin Cave, CBC Radio 1988
S61 / III / D / 6 : "Caged Wilderness", CBC Radio 22 ix 91 [September 22, 1991]
S61 / III / D / 7 : "Caged Wilderness" - Sunday Morning, 22 Sep 91, CBC national program
S61 / III / D / 8 : Ben Gadd debating Randy Mitchell on CPS privatization, 10 xii 92 [October 10, 1992] Wild Rose Country, CBC Edmonton/Calgary
S61 / III / D / 9 : Ben on Morningside [CBC broadcast], 7 iv 95 [April 7, 1995]
S61 / III / D / 10 : "Ben on Ice", [CBC] World at 6, 21 Jul '95
S61 / III / D / 11 : CBC interview on charging for rescues, 16 Nov 95 ; CBC commentary 10 Jun 96 ; CBC interview on harlequin ducks vs rafts, 29 Mar '98
S61 / III / D / 12: Raven's End interview with Ben Gadd by Judy Hamill, on Daybreak, CBC Alberta, 11 Mar. '01
S61 / III / D / 13 : Ben reading short nature items Recorded CBC Edmonton, June 2003
File consists of news articles collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the proposed Cheviot Mine project near Cadomin, Alberta. Includes articles from the Jasper Booster, the Edmonton Journal, the Globe and Mail, Canadian Journal, Alberta Wilderness Association, and other publishers.
File consists of news articles collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the proposed Cheviot Mine project near Cadomin, Alberta. Includes articles from the Jasper Booster, the Edmonton Journal, the Globe and Mail, Canadian Journal, Alberta Wilderness Association, and other publishers.
File consists of five discs containing video files and three VHS tapes, which were collected by Ben Gadd. Videos pertain to mountaineering and mountain sports; documentary footage about Mount Robson and other regions in the Canadian Rockies; icebergs; ice climbing in Maligne Canyon; and a talk abou…
File consists of five discs containing video files and three VHS tapes, which were collected by Ben Gadd. Videos pertain to mountaineering and mountain sports; documentary footage about Mount Robson and other regions in the Canadian Rockies; icebergs; ice climbing in Maligne Canyon; and a talk about the Association of Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE) presented in the Jasper Chamber of Commerce.
Notes
Individual contents in file:
V810 / I / D / NV - 1 : "A Life Ascending" [produced by Stephen Grynberg]
V810 / I / D / NV - 2 : "Mt. Robson: Giant of Canadian Rockies"
V810 / I / D / NV - 3 : "Aweberg!" [video about icebergs, attributed to Ben Gadd]
V810 / I / D / NV - 4 : "The Rockies: A two-part documentary by Stefan Tolz in cooperation with Fritz Pleitgan and Gerd Ruge" [Ben and Will Gadd appear in video]
V810 / I / D / NV - 5 : "Queen of Maligne Feb. '06" [video of Ben and Will Gadd ice climbing in Maligne Canyon]
V810 / I / D / NV - 6 : "Northlands 12/6/88" [wildlife footage with commentary]
V810 / I / D / NV - 7 : "The Rockies - Fine Cut" [n.d., no audio; footage of wildlife, landscapes, etc.]
V810 / I / D / NV - 8 : Dave Day / Jasper Chamber of Commerce [n.d.; discussing AMPPE and membership, issues in Banff National Park]
File consists of correspondence, mailing lists, publication announcements and email orders pertaining to Ben Gadd's publishing company, Corax Press.
Notes
File is organized in four separate folders:
M590 / III / D / 43 : Correspondence
M590 / III / D / 44 : Mailing, postal rates
M590 / III / D / 45 : Publication and distribution announcements
M590 / III / D / 46 : Mail and email orders
File consists of correspondence and notes pertaining to corrections and additions which were made to the first and second editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of correspondence and notes pertaining to corrections and additions which were made to the first and second editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
Notes
File is arranged in two folders:
M590 / II / A / 19 : Corrections and additions, 1988-1993 [first edition]
M590 / II / A / 20 : Corrections and additions, 1995-2001 [second edition]