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 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 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 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 correspondence sent to Ben Gadd pertaining to a proposed Cheviot Mine project near Cadomin, Alberta. Includes correspondence from Cardinal River Coals Ltd., the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, and the Alberta Wilderness Association.
File consists of correspondence sent to Ben Gadd pertaining to a proposed Cheviot Mine project near Cadomin, Alberta. Includes correspondence from Cardinal River Coals Ltd., the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, and the Alberta Wilderness Association.
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]
File consists of an Environmental Screening Report distributed by Parks Canada and filled out by Ben Gadd in 2002; and related correspondence pertaining to questions and concerns about the report, which was sent by Ben Gadd and President of the Bow Valley Naturalists, Peter Duck, to Parks Canada.
File consists of an Environmental Screening Report distributed by Parks Canada and filled out by Ben Gadd in 2002; and related correspondence pertaining to questions and concerns about the report, which was sent by Ben Gadd and President of the Bow Valley Naturalists, Peter Duck, to Parks Canada.
File consists of quotes and correspondence sent between Ben Gadd and the company Friesen Printers, pertaining to the printing of the second edition of Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of quotes and correspondence sent between Ben Gadd and the company Friesen Printers, pertaining to the printing of the second edition of Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of a book launch invitation, published reviews, letters from readers, and other related materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's book "Geology Road Tours".
File consists of a book launch invitation, published reviews, letters from readers, and other related materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's book "Geology Road Tours".
File consists of sample cover pages and interior pages of Ben Gadd's book, "Geology Road Tours". Pages are annotated with notes and corrections by Ben.
File consists of sample cover pages and interior pages of Ben Gadd's book, "Geology Road Tours". Pages are annotated with notes and corrections by Ben.
File consists of newspaper articles, notes and published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to the provenance of place names, the history of human settlement and regional populations in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of newspaper articles, notes and published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to the provenance of place names, the history of human settlement and regional populations in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of notes, drafts, published copies and related materials pertaining to hiking guides for Banff and Jasper National Park which Ben Gadd contributed to. Most brochures in file were produced on behalf of the Canadian federal government.
File consists of notes, drafts, published copies and related materials pertaining to hiking guides for Banff and Jasper National Park which Ben Gadd contributed to. Most brochures in file were produced on behalf of the Canadian federal government.
File consists of notes, correspondence, pamphlets and other textual records pertaining to Ben Gadd's career as an interpretive guide and naturalist in the Canadian Rockies through his company, "Ben Gadd Interpretive Services".
File consists of notes, correspondence, pamphlets and other textual records pertaining to Ben Gadd's career as an interpretive guide and naturalist in the Canadian Rockies through his company, "Ben Gadd Interpretive Services".
Notes
File folders are arranged chronologically:
M590 / III / B / 21 : "Interp. guiding, etc." [2000]
M590 / III / B / 22 and 23 : "Interp. guiding, etc." [2001, files 1 and 2]
M590 / III / B / 24 : "Interp. guiding, etc" [2002]
M590 / III / B / 25 : "Interp. guiding, etc." [2003]
M590 / III / B / 26 : "Interp. guiding, etc" [2004]
M590 / III / B / 27 : "Interp. guiding, etc." [2005]
M590 / III / B / 28 : "Interp. guiding, speaking" [2006]
File consists of notes, correspondence, pamphlets and other textual records pertaining to Ben Gadd's career as an interpretive guide and naturalist in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of notes, correspondence, pamphlets and other textual records pertaining to Ben Gadd's career as an interpretive guide and naturalist in the Canadian Rockies.
Notes
File folders are arranged chronologically:
M590 / III / B / 29 : "Interp. guiding, speaking, etc." [2007]
M590 / III / B / 30 : "Interp. guiding, etc." [2008]
M590 / III / B / 31 : "Interp. guiding, etc" [2009]
M590 / III / B / 32 : "Interp. guides, etc." [2010-2014]
File consists of two compact discs photographs pertaining to Ben's work as an interpretive guide in Jasper National Park in 2002 and 2005. First disc is titled "The Strongest Link: Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Jasper 2002" and contains 29 digital files, including JPG images and HTML links; sec…
File consists of two compact discs photographs pertaining to Ben's work as an interpretive guide in Jasper National Park in 2002 and 2005. First disc is titled "The Strongest Link: Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Jasper 2002" and contains 29 digital files, including JPG images and HTML links; second disc contains 63 image files produced by Jon Shields, pertaining to a guided hike led by Ben Gadd in July 2005.