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 a draft, final copy and related correspondence pertaining to a fact sheet titled "The Geology of Banff National Park", which Ben Gadd produced for Parks Canada in 1980.
File consists of a draft, final copy and related correspondence pertaining to a fact sheet titled "The Geology of Banff National Park", which Ben Gadd produced for Parks Canada in 1980.
File consists of notes, correspondence and other documents pertaining to Ben Gadd's work researching and writing text for an exhibit about Bankhead, on behalf of the Government of Canada in 1981.
File consists of notes, correspondence and other documents pertaining to Ben Gadd's work researching and writing text for an exhibit about Bankhead, on behalf of the Government of Canada in 1981.
File consists of textual records pertaining to a brochure describing the history of Bankhead, which Ben Gadd researched, designed and produced on behalf of Parks Canada in 1981. File includes research notes, reference maps, correspondence, paste-up drafts and finished copies of the brochures.
File consists of textual records pertaining to a brochure describing the history of Bankhead, which Ben Gadd researched, designed and produced on behalf of Parks Canada in 1981. File includes research notes, reference maps, correspondence, paste-up drafts and finished copies of the brochures.
File consists of business licenses, application forms and letters of approval sent between Parks Canada and Ben Gadd's guiding company, Ben Gadd Interpretive Services. File includes laminated and paper business license cards used by Ben Gadd between 1997 and 2016.
Produced by the Department of Canadian Heritage and Parks Canada
Date Range
1996-2017
Physical Description
4 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of business licenses, application forms and letters of approval sent between Parks Canada and Ben Gadd's guiding company, Ben Gadd Interpretive Services. File includes laminated and paper business license cards used by Ben Gadd between 1997 and 2016.
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 printed photographs compiled by Ben Gadd pertaining to his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Images depict mountain views and geological formations in the Canadian Rockies; a compass and a map of Banff National Park; Ben Gadd working as a naturalist/interpreter; artist Matthe…
File consists of printed photographs compiled by Ben Gadd pertaining to his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Images depict mountain views and geological formations in the Canadian Rockies; a compass and a map of Banff National Park; Ben Gadd working as a naturalist/interpreter; artist Matthew Wheeler creating illustrations for the book; the construction of commercial buildings in Jasper; Cia Gadd comparing colour swatches; and deer grazing, possibly outside of the Gadd family home in Jasper.
Material Details
Photographs were originally stored in Tekarra Color Lab envelope
File consists of negative photographs compiled by Ben Gadd pertaining to his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Images depict mountain views and geological formations in the Canadian Rockies; a compass and a map of Banff National Park; Ben Gadd working as a naturalist/interpreter; artist Matth…
File consists of negative photographs compiled by Ben Gadd pertaining to his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Images depict mountain views and geological formations in the Canadian Rockies; a compass and a map of Banff National Park; Ben Gadd working as a naturalist/interpreter; artist Matthew Wheeler creating illustrations for the book; the construction of commercial buildings in Jasper; Cia Gadd comparing colour swatches; and deer grazing, possibly outside of the Gadd family home in Jasper.
Material Details
Photographs were originally stored in Tekarra Color Lab envelope
File consists of correspondence, notes, finished drafts and other materials pertaining to a paper which Ben Gadd wrote for Parks Canada about bicycle use in the Four Mountain Parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay). Ben's paper was used as background information/reference material during the creat…
File consists of correspondence, notes, finished drafts and other materials pertaining to a paper which Ben Gadd wrote for Parks Canada about bicycle use in the Four Mountain Parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay). Ben's paper was used as background information/reference material during the creation of the Four Mountain Parks Planning Program by Parks Canada.
File consists of handwritten notes by Ben Gadd describing his thuoghts and concerns pertaining to the Four Mountains Parks Planning Program led by Parks Canada.
File consists of handwritten notes by Ben Gadd describing his thuoghts and concerns pertaining to the Four Mountains Parks Planning Program led by Parks Canada.
File consists of a contract agreement between the Canadian government's Ministry of Environment and the Friends of Banff National Park, pertaining to the group's incorporation as a society in 1991.
File consists of a contract agreement between the Canadian government's Ministry of Environment and the Friends of Banff National Park, pertaining to the group's incorporation as a society in 1991.
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 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 correspondence, conference notes, a 1998 edition of "Mountain Heritage Magazine" and other documents pertaining to Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association and Ben Gadd's involvement with the association.
Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association
Date Range
1997-1998
Physical Description
1.5 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of correspondence, conference notes, a 1998 edition of "Mountain Heritage Magazine" and other documents pertaining to Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association and Ben Gadd's involvement with the association.
File consists of three compact discs containing a total of 38 JPG image files and 14 PDF files. Images were used in the creation of an exhibit titled "Operation Bow-Athabasca" at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre, which Ben Gadd contributed to in 2012. Some content from discs was also used i…
Images in file V810/III/D/DF-3 originally produced by Barry Corneil between 1965 and 1966.
Date Range
2012
Physical Description
3 CDs : 38 JPG files, 14 PDF files
Scope & Content
File consists of three compact discs containing a total of 38 JPG image files and 14 PDF files. Images were used in the creation of an exhibit titled "Operation Bow-Athabasca" at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre, which Ben Gadd contributed to in 2012. Some content from discs was also used in Ben's published book, also titled "Operation Bow-Athabasca". Images, exhibit and book pertain to a geological survey of the Canadian Rockies between Canmore and Jasper, including Banff National Park and the Columbia Icefields.
Notes
Contents of individual discs:
V810 / III / D / DF - 3 : "Barry Corneil OBA pics '65-'66" [18 JPG files]
V810 / III / D / DF - 4 : "PDFs of OBA panels 2012 Full-res, as imaged by West Canadian Graphics, May 2012" [14 PDF files]
V810 / III / D / DF - 5 : "Operation Bow-Athabasca photos Ray Price collection" [20 JPG files]