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 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 one lithograph colour poster advertisement for Banff Indian Days celebrations in 1928, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Poster depicts four Indigenous people outside of teepee [one man on horseback, one woman standing, two children sitting] with text in large print at bottom.
1 col. lithography poster on cardboard; 27 x 33 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of one lithograph colour poster advertisement for Banff Indian Days celebrations in 1928, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Poster depicts four Indigenous people outside of teepee [one man on horseback, one woman standing, two children sitting] with text in large print at bottom.
Material Details
Poster has foldable cardboard stand at back to place upright on surface
File consists of 14 colour and b&w oversized promotional posters and information boards for Banff Indian Days celebrations, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Posters largely feature identified and unidentified Indigenous people, notably Chief Spotted Eagle and Blind Eagle. Art medium includes oil pain…
Published and artwork attributed to Ernie Kehr, W.L. Kihn, G.H.W. Ashley, Crag & Canyon Press, Palenske, Canadian Pacific and Multi Color Poster
Date Range
[ca. 1930-1950]
1936
1937
1949
Physical Description
14 posters : colour and b&w ; 35 x 56 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 14 colour and b&w oversized promotional posters and information boards for Banff Indian Days celebrations, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Posters largely feature identified and unidentified Indigenous people, notably Chief Spotted Eagle and Blind Eagle. Art medium includes oil paint process mounted on cardboard made in Canada and distributed by Exhibits Branch Canadian Pacific, lithographic prints, and a mounted drawing attributed to Palenske. Some have annotations or stamps on the back.
Notes
Possibly unassociated shipping packing material addressed to Norman Luxton at the Trading Post from E.A. Kehr found in box - this has not been assigned a number.
D3-10, a lithographic promotional material from 1936 has an identical design to LUX / II / F1 / 47, an Indian Days poster from 1928
Items LUX / I / D3 / 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 were originally associated with LUX / I / D3a / 6, which contains brochures and a flyer from Banff Indian Days
LUX / I / D3 / 8, Palenske may have potentionally used photograph LUX / I / D3a / PA-26 as reference
Material Details
Some posters have foldable cardboard stand at back to place upright on surface, adhesives, and perhaps mounting additives.
File consists of one VHS tape containing a recorded episode of "Take an Alberta Break!" featuring Ben Gadd and cave tours which he led through Cadomin Cave. Ben discusses bat habitats, cave crawling, and vandalism issues.
File consists of one VHS tape containing a recorded episode of "Take an Alberta Break!" featuring Ben Gadd and cave tours which he led through Cadomin Cave. Ben discusses bat habitats, cave crawling, and vandalism issues.
Notes
Running time is approx. 3 minutes [episode], followed by recorded advertisements
File consists of souvenir menus from various trips on Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian Pacific cruises. Contents pertain to various destinations within Canada, including: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, Connaught and Spiral Tunn…
File consists of souvenir menus from various trips on Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian Pacific cruises. Contents pertain to various destinations within Canada, including: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, Connaught and Spiral Tunnels, Ottawa, Quebec, and St. John [New Brunswick]. Includes a set of 3 menus from 1924 and a set of 3 adult menus and 1 children's menu from 1952 which are stored in original Canadian Pacific paper envelopes.
Notes
Items in file are stored in two file folders, organized chronologically
File consists of correspondence, drafts and other documents pertaining to an article written by Ben Gadd about the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park, which was published by Explore Magazine in 1996.
File consists of correspondence, drafts and other documents pertaining to an article written by Ben Gadd about the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park, which was published by Explore Magazine in 1996.
File consists of notes, drafts, sample illustrations and other materials pertaining to an interpretive trail guide which Ben Gadd produced for the Forest Technology School in Hinton, Alberta in 1992. File includes sample images taped together and annotated with additional information. FIle also inc…
File consists of notes, drafts, sample illustrations and other materials pertaining to an interpretive trail guide which Ben Gadd produced for the Forest Technology School in Hinton, Alberta in 1992. File includes sample images taped together and annotated with additional information. FIle also includes a pressed plant sample, stored in an envelope titled "Rhytidiadelphus triquetris (Shaggy moss)".
File consists of documents pertaining to the Geology Car Caravans tour program which was hosted by the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre, including schedules, participant lists and related newspaper articles. Ben Gadd worked as the lead guide for the Geology Car Caravans tours.
File consists of documents pertaining to the Geology Car Caravans tour program which was hosted by the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre, including schedules, participant lists and related newspaper articles. Ben Gadd worked as the lead guide for the Geology Car Caravans tours.
File consists of documents pertaining to Ben Gadd's involvement in the creation of "GeoVista" downloadable brochures for areas of Jasper National Park, which were published by the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences in 2011. File includes correspondence between Ben and other individuals involved …
From the Canadian Federation of Earth and Space Sciences website:
"GeoVistas are downloadable brochures that explain iconic views in Canadian parks. They are site-specific vignettes that combine engaging descriptions of geological features in the landscape with information on how they have influenced climate, ecology and culture. Precise GPS coordinates allow you to reach these accessible sites."
Scope & Content
File consists of documents pertaining to Ben Gadd's involvement in the creation of "GeoVista" downloadable brochures for areas of Jasper National Park, which were published by the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences in 2011. File includes correspondence between Ben and other individuals involved with the project; drafts of written material and excerpts from brochures, including images; a Canadian Geological Foundation grant application form; handwritten notes; and other related materials.
File consists of one VHS tape containing episode 32 of the series "Great Canadian Parks", featuring Mount Robson Provincial Park. Ben Gadd appears in the video, discussing the mountain's elevation and first impressions from tourists.
File consists of one VHS tape containing episode 32 of the series "Great Canadian Parks", featuring Mount Robson Provincial Park. Ben Gadd appears in the video, discussing the mountain's elevation and first impressions from tourists.
Notes
Ben Gadd appears in video at 6 min. 35 sec.; total running time 23 min. 5 sec.
File consists of brochures and other published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to guiding, climbing and skiing excursions, cycling, snowshoeing, and other recreational activities and tourism packages in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of brochures and other published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to guiding, climbing and skiing excursions, cycling, snowshoeing, and other recreational activities and tourism packages 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 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 brochures and other published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to hostels, cycling, ski huts and lodges (including Alpine Club of Canada huts), and paragliding in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of brochures and other published research materials collected by Ben Gadd, pertaining to hostels, cycling, ski huts and lodges (including Alpine Club of Canada huts), and paragliding in the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of one DVD containing a copy of "Jasper National Park: 360 Degrees of Inspiration". Content pertains to wildlife, natural views, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and other related subjects. Video features Ben Gadd discussing the role of national parks.
File consists of one DVD containing a copy of "Jasper National Park: 360 Degrees of Inspiration". Content pertains to wildlife, natural views, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and other related subjects. Video features Ben Gadd discussing the role of national parks.
Notes
Ben Gadd appears in video at 2 min. 2 sec.; total running time 18 min. 36 sec.
File consists of loose notes, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and other textual records which were collected or produced by Ben Gadd between 1968 and 1989. Some materials are annotated with sketches, maps and diagrams drawn by Ben.
File consists of loose notes, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and other textual records which were collected or produced by Ben Gadd between 1968 and 1989. Some materials are annotated with sketches, maps and diagrams drawn by Ben.
Notes
Contents of file folders:
M590 / I / D / 8 : Other notes/collected, 1968-1971
M590 / I / D / 9 : Other notes/collected, 1972-1984
M590 / I / D / 10 : Other notes/collected, 1985-1986
M590 / I / D / 11 and 12 : Other notes/collected, 1987-1989
File consists of personal interest materials, including newspaper clippings, research articles, loose notes, and other textual records collected by Ben Gadd. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject title.
File consists of personal interest materials, including newspaper clippings, research articles, loose notes, and other textual records collected by Ben Gadd. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject title.
Notes
Contents of individual folders in file:
M590 / I / C / 37 to 38 : Climbing [Files 1 and 2 of 2]
M590 / I / C / 39 : Collection Permits
M590 / I / C / 40 : Community Tourism Action Plan
M590 / I / C / 41 : Computers Ben and Cia Have Owned
M590 / I / C / 42 to 43 : Computers - TRS 80 [Files 1 and 2 of 2]
M590 / I / C / 44 to 45 : Computers - Packard-Bell Machine + Suit [Files 1 and 2 of 2]
File consists of personal interest materials, including newspaper clippings, research articles, loose notes, and other textual records collected by Ben Gadd. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject title.
File consists of personal interest materials, including newspaper clippings, research articles, loose notes, and other textual records collected by Ben Gadd. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject title.
Notes
Contents of individual folders in file:
M590 / I / C / 46 : Computer - Allwrite Word Processor
M590 / I / C / 47 : CPAWS
M590 / I / C / 48 : Copyfitting
M590 / I / C / 49 : Creationism
M590 / I / C / 50 : Crusades
M590 / I / C / 51 : Dams
M590 / I / C / 52 : Dog-Sledding
M590 / I / C / 53 : Eco-Tourism, etc.
M590 / I / C / 54 : Endangered Species Program
M590 / I / C / 55 to 56 : Environmentally Current [Files 1 and 2 of 2]