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
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts …
Some views are by Malcolm Geddes; many were obtained through other sources
Date Range
[1896-2013]
Physical Description
444 photographs: 385 b&w and col. transparencies, 59 b&w prints -- 1 album (28 b&w prints) -- 11 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Malcolm Daniel Geddes, 1866-1927, was a journalist, publisher and mountaineer at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Geddes was one of the founders of the "Farmers and Ranch Review" in 1904, and served as vice-president and editor until his death. He joined the Alpine Club of Canada in 1917, was active in ACC summer camps and served as Honorary Secretary from 1924 to 1926. Geddes was killed in a mountaineering accident on Mount Lefroy in 1927.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts and publications), Malcolm's career in real estate, family letters, financial records, records of mountain ascents and hikes with the Alpine Club of Canada, family trees and genealogical research, and other related materials.
Notes
Fonds consists of three series:
Series I : Professional records
I / A : Published materials
I / B : Manuscripts and notes
I / C : Professional correspondence
Series II : Financial records
Series III : Personal and family records
III / A : Travel and mountain expeditions
III / B : Genealogy and research
III / C : Other personal and family records
Arrangement of fonds was redone by Processing Archivist Kate Skelton between December 2020 and March 2021 to accommodate unprocessed materials from accessions 7846, 2014.8306 and 2015.8558
File consists of the Finance Committee's report on the Recommendations as to 'Specific Fund Reserves' from 1968, a report Re: Budgetary Estimates and Club Operation 1969, and the Audited Financial report for 1967. Also includes statements for the Camp Revenue and Expenses for 1969 and the Audited B…
File consists of the Finance Committee's report on the Recommendations as to 'Specific Fund Reserves' from 1968, a report Re: Budgetary Estimates and Club Operation 1969, and the Audited Financial report for 1967. Also includes statements for the Camp Revenue and Expenses for 1969 and the Audited Balance Sheet for 1969, and an Analysis of the ACC 1970 Budget report.
File consists of a Safe-Keeping Receipt and Agreement - Securities record, and updates on Club Investments, Hut Insurance Policies, and Expeditions supports.
File consists of a Safe-Keeping Receipt and Agreement - Securities record, and updates on Club Investments, Hut Insurance Policies, and Expeditions supports.
File consists of notes on Specific Funds and Trusts Funds, a report on Huts Construction, Expeditions, Income and Expense Statements and Management Expenses from June 1971. Also includes correspondence about a bequest in October 1982, and more reports on the Hut Construction Fund, including the 198…
File consists of notes on Specific Funds and Trusts Funds, a report on Huts Construction, Expeditions, Income and Expense Statements and Management Expenses from June 1971. Also includes correspondence about a bequest in October 1982, and more reports on the Hut Construction Fund, including the 1981-1982 Huts Committee Budgets and Statements.
File consists of statements of income and expenses for 1972 and 1973. Also includes the Audited Financial statements for the year ending December 31, 1972 and a Report of the Finance Committee to the Board from January 1973.
File consists of statements of income and expenses for 1972 and 1973. Also includes the Audited Financial statements for the year ending December 31, 1972 and a Report of the Finance Committee to the Board from January 1973.
File includes reports on the Rescue Fund for the Club, including correspondence discussing the Rescue Fund policy and a report to the Advisory Council and Board of Management. Also includes a Report From Don Forest on the Proposed Rescue Cost Reimbursement Policy from January 1974, and further cons…
File includes reports on the Rescue Fund for the Club, including correspondence discussing the Rescue Fund policy and a report to the Advisory Council and Board of Management. Also includes a Report From Don Forest on the Proposed Rescue Cost Reimbursement Policy from January 1974, and further considerations for the Board meeting regarding the Report.
File includes a report Re: Purchase of Club Vehicle to the Board in January 1977, a report to the Board of Management Re: 1976 Statement of Income and Expenses from January 1977, and the 1978 Budget report.
File includes a report Re: Purchase of Club Vehicle to the Board in January 1977, a report to the Board of Management Re: 1976 Statement of Income and Expenses from January 1977, and the 1978 Budget report.
File contains the financial statements, summaries, and balances of the ACC camps in 1982.
Notes
Financials have been separated from M200 / I / A / 89 and M200 / II / B / 11. For these club meeting minutes and reports, see M200 / I / A / 89 [1981-1982 Records to the Board] accn. 6376.
For records on donations and bequests, see M200 / II / B / 11.
File contains correspondence regarding funds and donations to the Toronto Section of Alpine Club of Canada and the Bon Echo Hut.
Notes
For Meeting Minutes and Reports related to these financials, see file M200 / I / A / 89 [1981-1982 Records to the Board] accn. 6376.
For Financial Statements and Reports related to these financials, see file M200 / II / A / 79 [1981-1982 Records to the Board] accn. 6376.
File contains correspondence from Club members concerning the Mount Everest Society, grant applications for the Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation for the archives project of the Everest Expedition. Also includes the Project Funding Proposal Re: Expedition Archives.
File contains correspondence from Club members concerning the Mount Everest Society, grant applications for the Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation for the archives project of the Everest Expedition. Also includes the Project Funding Proposal Re: Expedition Archives.
File consists of the Proposed Budget for the Canadian Mount Everest Expedition '82. Also includes a report Re: Evaluation of 3rd Dues Notice from November 1980 and the Alberta Mountain Council's Budget for 1980.
File consists of the Proposed Budget for the Canadian Mount Everest Expedition '82. Also includes a report Re: Evaluation of 3rd Dues Notice from November 1980 and the Alberta Mountain Council's Budget for 1980.
File contains the Treasurer's Report from The Canadian Himalayan Foundation, a report on Whistler Cabin Options from the Vancouver Section Executive, a report Re: Mt. Resource Management Conference, and the Auditor's Reports for October 31, 1983 and March, 1983.
File contains the Treasurer's Report from The Canadian Himalayan Foundation, a report on Whistler Cabin Options from the Vancouver Section Executive, a report Re: Mt. Resource Management Conference, and the Auditor's Reports for October 31, 1983 and March, 1983.
Notes
Financial Statements and Reports have been separated from their club meeting minutes and reports. For these records, see M200 / I / A / 94 [1983 Reports to the Board] accn. 6376.
Grant applications related to these records have been separated into M200 / II / C / 25 [1983 Reports to the Board] accn. 6376.
File contains an Application for Safety Fund Grant from 1983. Also includes the Expeditions Grants and Endorsement and Statement of Expedition Policies presented to the Board, as well as the Treasurer's Report from The Canadian Himalayan Foundation.
File contains an Application for Safety Fund Grant from 1983. Also includes the Expeditions Grants and Endorsement and Statement of Expedition Policies presented to the Board, as well as the Treasurer's Report from The Canadian Himalayan Foundation.
Notes
Grant financials have been separated from their corresponding Club Meeting Minutes and Reports. For these records, see file M200 / I / A / 94 [1983 Reports to the Board] accn. 6376.
Grant financials have been separated from their corresponding Financial Statements and Reports. For these records, see file M200 / II / A / 90 [1983 Reports to the Board] accn. 6376.
File contains the financial statements of the camps and training weeks from 1983, a proposal for the 1984 Spring Nepal Trek, and a report on the Whistler Cabin from Doug Fox. Also includes a Financial statement from December 31, 1982.
File contains the financial statements of the camps and training weeks from 1983, a proposal for the 1984 Spring Nepal Trek, and a report on the Whistler Cabin from Doug Fox. Also includes a Financial statement from December 31, 1982.
Notes
These financials have been separated from their club meeting minutes and reports. For these records, see file M200 / I / A / 98 [1983] accn. 6376.