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 one full draft of Ben Gadd's autobiography, An Orogenous Life, which contains handwritten corrections and notes by Ben's wife, Cia Gadd.
"Ben [Gadd]’s memoir tells the story of how a skinny, myopic and cowardly kid grew into the mountaineer who wrote [Handbook of the Canadian Rockies and Raven's End] and received the Banff Centre’s coveted Summit of Excellence award in 2014.
There’s a lot more to this memoir than just biography. Interleaved with the personal history are 36 readings from Ben’s favorite written work. These essays, magazine articles, stories and book excerpts will have you chuckling in some places, touched in others. All this plus hundreds of color illustrations."
- Quoted from Ben Gadd's website, May 4th, 2022
Scope & Content
File consists of one full draft of Ben Gadd's autobiography, An Orogenous Life, which contains handwritten corrections and notes by Ben's wife, Cia Gadd.
Pertains to the experiences of Ben Gadd, an experienced Rocky Mountain naturalist, guide and author. His book combines his personal experiences with the stories and essays of 36 others in order to create a touching, yet compelling story. The book includes a comprehensive selection of photographs, many of which are personal to the author and his family. Being that the author was and continues to be greatly involved with the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the book makes mention of multiple locations in and around the area of Banff such as, Mt. Assiniboine, Banff Mountain Film Festival, Bankhead, Brewster transportation and tours, and Johnston Canyon. The book follows the style of a biography and contains many personal stories and photos from the author and associated family.
Contents
Introduction
Benny
Ben
Cia and Ben
Willy, Cia and Ben
Toby and Willy, Cia and Ben
Index
Other books by Ben Gadd
Notes
Some of the specific references to areas in, and area the Canadian Rocky Mountains are as follows, Mt. Assiniboine (297), Mt. Robson (373), Banff Mountain Film Festival (12, 395, 608), Bankhead (332) and Brewster transportation and tours (463, 469).
ISBN
9780969263142
Accession Number
2019.47
Call Number
02.6 G11a
Collection
Archives Library
URL Notes
URL pertains to an online website dedicated to Ben Gadd and his continued achievements
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 financial record books and invoice books belonging to Ben Gadd. Content pertains to Ben's personal and business expenses between 1981 and 2010.
File consists of financial record books and invoice books belonging to Ben Gadd. Content pertains to Ben's personal and business expenses between 1981 and 2010.
Notes
Files are arranged chronologically:
M590 / IV / B / 6 : 1981-1990
M590 / IV / B / 7 : 1990-1993 [contains one void cheque dated 2001]
M590 / IV / B / 8 : 1993-1997
M590 / IV / B / 9 : 1997-1999
M590 / IV / B / 10 : 1999-2001
M590 / IV / B / 11 : 2001-2003
M590 / IV / B / 12 : 2003-2006
M590 / IV / B / 13 : 2006-2010
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 published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the study of Geomorphology and the Pleistocene Epoch. File includes one photograph print sent to Ben Gadd depicting a boulder [in file M590/II/A/32].
12 cm of textual records -- 1 photograph : col. print
Scope & Content
File consists of published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to the study of Geomorphology and the Pleistocene Epoch. File includes one photograph print sent to Ben Gadd depicting a boulder [in file M590/II/A/32].
Storage Range
Materials stored in two file boxes: M590/II/A/26 to 32 and M590/II/A/33 to 38
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 published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to stratigraphy and fossils. File includes one print photograph depicting a fossil found near Mt. Stephen, British Columbia [in folder M590/II/A/27] and one print depicting a geological feature in Jasper National Park.
Photographs produced by Christian W. Gronau of Whaletown, B.C. and Ron Kratochvil
Date Range
[1980-2012]
Physical Description
10 cm of textual records -- 2 photographs : col. prints ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of published research material collected by Ben Gadd pertaining to stratigraphy and fossils. File includes one print photograph depicting a fossil found near Mt. Stephen, British Columbia [in folder M590/II/A/27] and one print depicting a geological feature in Jasper National Park.
Notes
Some items in file are annotated by Ben Gadd
Material Details
Photographs stored in file with textual records to maintain original order
File consists of a certificate of insurance covering Verdant Pass Ltd., as well as Ben and Cia Gadd, under the company Intact Insurance. Insurance agreement was filed by Carlton Insurance Brokers in Jasper.
File consists of a certificate of insurance covering Verdant Pass Ltd., as well as Ben and Cia Gadd, under the company Intact Insurance. Insurance agreement was filed by Carlton Insurance Brokers in Jasper.
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 contract agreements, employment documents and related correspondence pertaining to writing projects which Ben Gadd completed for National Geographic. Projects include an article titled "Best of the Rockies: Hiking" [2003]; and summaries of several national parks and other regions o…
File consists of contract agreements, employment documents and related correspondence pertaining to writing projects which Ben Gadd completed for National Geographic. Projects include an article titled "Best of the Rockies: Hiking" [2003]; and summaries of several national parks and other regions of the Canadian Rockies for use in the publication "National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of Canada" [2010].
File consists of correspondence, maps and other documents pertaining to the Operation Bow-Athabasca exhibit, which was displayed at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre in 2012. File includes a programme for the opening of the exhibition; geological maps and other research materials; a quote fo…
File consists of correspondence, maps and other documents pertaining to the Operation Bow-Athabasca exhibit, which was displayed at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre in 2012. File includes a programme for the opening of the exhibition; geological maps and other research materials; a quote for the production of display signs for the exhibit; Ben Gadd's personal notes pertaining to the exhibit; and other related materials.
File consists of one CD containing audio files used as part of an exhibit titled "Operation Bow-Athabasca", which was presented at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre in 2012. Ben Gadd participated in the research and production of this exhibit.
One compact disc : 17 digital files (6 audio files)
Scope & Content
File consists of one CD containing audio files used as part of an exhibit titled "Operation Bow-Athabasca", which was presented at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre in 2012. Ben Gadd participated in the research and production of this exhibit.
Notes
Annotation on front of disc:
"Operation Bow-Athabasca Exhibit
AV loop - insert + run. It's self-play"
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]