Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
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 programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program f…
File consists of programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program for the 8th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasp…
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasper Park Lodge, and Canadian and international politics.
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the H…
1.2 cm of textual records (6 volumes ; 17.5 x 21 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the Hudson's Bay Company which were read before the Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba [1950]; a report by the Social Science Research Council of Canada; Alberta Blue Cross membership information; and a copy of "Pioneer Naturalists of the Rocky Mountains and the Selkirks" published for the Calgary Field Naturalists' Society with a note to Eleanor Luxton from author Beryl Hallworth.
File consists of 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photograph…
7 photographs : b&w prints ; 50 x 40 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photographs from local events, including one depicting Eleanor Luxton and colleagues (possibly a class photograph); a group photograph from a drama performance at the University of Alberta; and the 1906 class of the N.C.O.'s Provisional School of Instruction in Calgary.
File consists of typed and handwritten short stories, writing excerpts and other written content by Eleanor Luxton, as well as a bibliography page. Includes a written and a typed copy of a short play titled "Past and Future" by Eleanor Luxton, both dated 1948.
File consists of typed and handwritten short stories, writing excerpts and other written content by Eleanor Luxton, as well as a bibliography page. Includes a written and a typed copy of a short play titled "Past and Future" by Eleanor Luxton, both dated 1948.
File consists of one notebook annotated by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to economics and industry. Pages are mostly blank, aside from front cover and first page.
File consists of one notebook annotated by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to economics and industry. Pages are mostly blank, aside from front cover and first page.
Material Details
Plain beige covers made of construction paper, interior pages are plain white
File consists of 12 prints depicting Eleanor and Norman Luxton, as well as various friends and colleagues. Content pertains to a book signing event featuring Eleanor Luxton [possibly ca.1971 after publication of the book "Tilikum: Luxton's Pacific Crossing"]; early photographs of Norman and Eleanor…
12 photograph prints : b&w and col.; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 12 prints depicting Eleanor and Norman Luxton, as well as various friends and colleagues. Content pertains to a book signing event featuring Eleanor Luxton [possibly ca.1971 after publication of the book "Tilikum: Luxton's Pacific Crossing"]; early photographs of Norman and Eleanor Luxton; Moses and Mark Dixon of the Stoney Nakoda tribe with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England [1939?]; Eleanor Luxton with professional colleagues [ca.1940-1945?]; and a university graduation portrait of Della Stanley with a note addressed to Eleanor Luxton.
Notes
File includes three duplicate copies of LUX / II / E / PA - 340
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
4 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 9 x 11 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
File consists of 16 photographs depicting Norman Luxton and his immediate family. Includes professional portraits of Georgina Luxton; images of Eleanor Luxton as a young girl; professional portraits of Eleanor as a student and adult; portraits of a dog belonging to the Luxton family; professional p…
16 photographs : b&w prints ; 40 x 50 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 photographs depicting Norman Luxton and his immediate family. Includes professional portraits of Georgina Luxton; images of Eleanor Luxton as a young girl; professional portraits of Eleanor as a student and adult; portraits of a dog belonging to the Luxton family; professional portraits of Norman Luxton; and photographs depicting Norman Luxton meeting Princess Margaret during her royal visit to Banff in 1958.
File consists of pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an e…
File consists of pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an exhibit opening at the Glenbow Museum [1981]; scientific theory and human evolution; Japanese study books; Canadian and global politics; international travel; and various other subjects.
Items in file are organized into 4 file folders based on contents:
LUX / II / F1 / 67 : Pamphlets, event programs and booklets
LUX / II / F1 / 68 : Booklets and small publications
LUX / II / F1 / 69 : Books and bound publications
LUX / II / F1 / 70 : Loose and other published materials
Series consists of 7 sub-series:
*1. Personal education, [ca.1920]-1973: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's personal education and include records relating to her primary and secondary schooling; the University of Alberta, her teacher training at the University of Alberta summ…
16 m textual records, graphic materials and sound recordings
Scope & Content
Series consists of 7 sub-series:
*1. Personal education, [ca.1920]-1973: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's personal education and include records relating to her primary and secondary schooling; the University of Alberta, her teacher training at the University of Alberta summer school; the Provincial Normal School in Edmonton; post-secondary schooling at Sir George Williams College where she studied Commerce, Engineering, and received her Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.). Between 1933 and 1952, Eleanor Luxton participated in numerous other personal education activities, including: drama studies, 1933 (Banff School of Drama? and/or Banff School of Fine Arts?); Garbutt Business College, Calgary (office practices, 1937), St. Stephen's College, Edmonton (1940), Ottawa Technical High School (machine draughting, 1940-1941); German language studies (1951); Banff School of Fine Arts (radio writing and techniques, 1951, 1952); Western Canada Institute, Calgary (literature, before 1952).
*2. Teaching career: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's teaching career and include her teaching papers from secondary school and university.
*3. Engineering career, 1935-1946: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's work at the Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal.
*4. Historical research, 1890-[ca.1995]: Records in this sub-series pertain to biographical research files on individuals and families in the High River area and other ranching communities of southern Alberta; research notes, files, and recordings gathered for the High River and southern Alberta ranching research projects; articles, photographs collected for the High River and southern Alberta ranching research projects, and project records relating to the Glenbow-Alberta Institute research projects on High River and southern Alberta ranching. These records include project outlines, monthly and annual reports, expense statements, correspondence, register book, lists and notes. Also included in this sub-series are Canadian and western history research papers; McDougall family research papers; Luxton family research papers.
*5. Literary papers, 1969-1975: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's writings on Luxton's Pacific Crossing; Banff, Canada's First National Park; Latch String Out; Stoney Medicine.
File consists of musical study booklets and sheet music belonging to various members of the McDougall and Luxton family, including Georgina McDougall [Luxton], Eleanor Luxton, May and Annie McDougall, and Ruth McDougall, and one book signed “Nina Wynn” of WLC [Wesleyan Ladies’ College]. Some items …
File consists of musical study booklets and sheet music belonging to various members of the McDougall and Luxton family, including Georgina McDougall [Luxton], Eleanor Luxton, May and Annie McDougall, and Ruth McDougall, and one book signed “Nina Wynn” of WLC [Wesleyan Ladies’ College]. Some items belonged to Georgina during her studies at Wesleyan Ladies' College in London, Ontario.
File consists of photographs depicting the Tilikum canoe and related information signs on display in Victoria, British Columbia [ca.1935-1940] before and after a restoration project completed in 1936. One photograph on brown matboard depicts several unnamed individuals [ca.1901, likely including Ca…
12 photographs : b&w and col. ; 24.5 x 18.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs depicting the Tilikum canoe and related information signs on display in Victoria, British Columbia [ca.1935-1940] before and after a restoration project completed in 1936. One photograph on brown matboard depicts several unnamed individuals [ca.1901, likely including Capt. John Voss and Norman Luxton] standing aboard the Tilikum. File also includes one colour postcard print [ca. 1970] depicting the Tilikum on display in the Maritime Museum in Victoria.
Notes
Photograph on matboard is signed "G.E.L." [possibly Georgina Eleanor Luxton] in bottom left corner
File consists of photographs pertaining to family and friends of Eleanor Luxton, local events and travel, including: the movement of a large totem pole [possibly one which was displayed outside of the Banff Park Museum]; local children's school portraits; Christmas celebrations in the Luxton home; …
File consists of photographs pertaining to family and friends of Eleanor Luxton, local events and travel, including: the movement of a large totem pole [possibly one which was displayed outside of the Banff Park Museum]; local children's school portraits; Christmas celebrations in the Luxton home; landscape views and monuments in the Canadian Rockies; a memorial concert in Miami [1955]; and a cruise ship [in Hawaii?].
Notes
One photograph of Eleanor Luxton posing with an RCMP officer was removed for scanning in 2009; file contains scanned copy, original photograph is not in file.
File consists of study notes and research material related to the fields of Haematology and Urinology, Mechanical Engineering, Commerce and English. File includes a letter responding to a repair request for a microscope sent by Eleanor Luxton in 1953, hand-drawn illustrations and diagrams, molecula…
File consists of study notes and research material related to the fields of Haematology and Urinology, Mechanical Engineering, Commerce and English. File includes a letter responding to a repair request for a microscope sent by Eleanor Luxton in 1953, hand-drawn illustrations and diagrams, molecular science notes, and an information package for first year English students at McGill University [1953-1954].
Notes
Notes and research material likely belonged to Eleanor Luxton during her studies at McGill University in Montreal, and Ottawa; some materials are from Sir George Williams College at Concordia University.