Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpin…
ca.42 m of textual records. -- ca.12,500 photographs: prints, stereographic prints, transparencies, slides, negatives, postcards. -- 85 photograph albums. -- 8 motion pictures: films, video recordings. -- 3 sound recordings
History / Biographical
The Alpine Club of Canada, the national mountaineering club, was co-founded in 1906 by A. O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, and other like-minded climbers. The club espoused scientific study and exploration, cultivation of art, public education, acquisition of climbing skills, and preservation of natural areas within the mountainous regions of Canada. Through a national executive, local sections and volunteer committees, the club provided climbing camps, clubhouse, huts, and publications, including the Canadian Alpine Journal. ACC expeditions and projects resulted in pioneer exploration, first ascents, and included mountain warfare training during the Second World War. In recent years, the club's membership has increased dramatically with the popularity of climbing and its programs have evolved to serve the needs of unguided climbers using sophisticated technical aids.
Scope & Content
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpine Club itself.
The fonds consists of four Sous-fonds: I. Alpine Club of Canada records; II. Mount Everest Expedition (1982) records; III. Personal papers and photographs; IV. Other material. Club administration records (series I.A.) pertain to executive positions; head office; finance; camps, climbing and treks; expeditions; huts and properties; clubhouses; library; publications; photography; other committees; other activities; and other. Other club records include section records (series I.B.), hut registers and summit records (series I.C.).
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and S…
6 m of textual records and printed material. -- ca.6100 photographs : prints, negatives, transparencies. -- 1 photograph album (49 prints). -- 29 motion pictures. -- 5 sound recordings
History / Biographical
Andy Russell, 1915-2005, was a trapper, guide and outfitter, writer, photographer, cinematographer, lecturer and environmental advocate in the Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.
Russell was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and spent his childhood on a ranch in the foothills near Pincher Creek. He became a skilled horseman, hunter, fisherman and trapper, and, in 1936, was employed by Bert Riggall, a pioneer guide and outfitter of wilderness pack trips in the southern Rockies since 1907. He became Riggall's partner in 1939 and took over the business when Riggall retired in 1946. Andy Russell and Kathleen (Kay) Riggall married in 1938 and raised five children at their ranch bordering Waterton Lakes National Park, where family businesses included guiding, saddlehorses and ranching. Children are: Richard "Dick" H. (b.1938); Andrew Charles "Charlie" (b.1941); Harold John "John" (b.1944); Hugh Gordon Riggall "Gordon" (b.1947); Lorenda Anne "Anne" (b.1952).
Russell continued as a renowned guide and outfitter with a wealthy repeat clientele until he was forced out of guiding by 1960 with the advance of the oil industry concerns upon wilderness areas in southern Alberta and British Columbia. Russell began to write nature articles in 1945 and after 1960 concentrated upon writing, photography, film making, lecturing and ranching. He wrote for numerous magazines and newspapers, produced radio broadcasts, and, using colour motion picture photography, developed programs on wildlife and wilderness habitat research for live public performances. Russell's films launched his career as an author of popular wildlife and mountain culture books, which included Grizzly Country. In later years, he was an active writer, consultant and advocate of wilderness and environmental management and received numerous awards and honours, including Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and Sons, royalties and lecturing); III. Writing, broadcasting and public appearances series, 1908-1990 (papers and photographs pertaining to writing, book projects, columns, broadcasts, reviews, advertising, promotion and other); IV. Photography and cinematography series, 1909-1990 (details below); V. Wildlife study and conservation activities series, 1945-[198-]; VI. Other activities series, 1931-[199-] (politics, interviews, information files); VII. Russell family series, [1867]-1983.
Photography and cinematography series consists of: Riggall/Russell guiding activity photographs, 1909-1962, ca.280 items; Andy Russell and Sons Production Ltd / Andy Russell professional photographs and films, ca.1940- ca.1990, ca.4200 photographs (mainly transparencies), 28 motion pictures, accompanied by some textual and printed items; personal and family photographs, 1916-1989, ca.1550 items; collected photographs, ca.1940-197-, ca.75 items. Professional photography and cinematography primarily arose from field work by Andy, Dick and Charlie Russell and pertains mainly to flora, fauna and landscape of the Canadian Rockies in continental divide region, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.
Motion pictures, ca.1950-1974, include original film "Grizzly Country" by Dick, Charlie and Andy Russell, produced by Evan J. Anton, ca.1969, copy print of same; also unedited wildlife and landscape footage of Waterton area, Yukon and British Columbia.
Sound recordings are interviews with Andy Russell, [ca.1970]-1988.
Fonds consists of administrative records in the form of correspondence, minutes, judging files, evaluations, grant applications, financial records and other, 1970-1995; newsletters, 1975-1977; programs and posters, 1970-1979; and also records pertaining to the Alberta Winter Games, 1976; and the So…
ca.1 m of textual records. -- 60 photographs: 15 prints, 45 negatives.
History / Biographical
The Banff Figure Skating Club, est.1970, promotes figure skating skills in children. Program involves professional instructors, testing, events, etc. The club is affiliated with the Canadian Figure Skating Association and is successor to the Figure Skating Club of Banff.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of administrative records in the form of correspondence, minutes, judging files, evaluations, grant applications, financial records and other, 1970-1995; newsletters, 1975-1977; programs and posters, 1970-1979; and also records pertaining to the Alberta Winter Games, 1976; and the Southern Alberta Figure Skating sub-section competition, 1970. Photographs are primarily colour and relate to Club events and members. Included are 2 signed b&w portraits of Brian Orser and Brian Boitano.
Fonds consists of three series: I. Textual records, 1973-1997; II. Photographs, ca.1960-1989; III. Moving Images, 1991-1992. Textual material consists of administrative and operational records in the form of files of reports, transcripts, letters, minutes of meetings, legal papers, lists, registra…
1.4 m textual records. -- ca.4500 photographs: ca.3100 prints, ca.1000 negatives, ca.400 transparencies. -- 2 video tape recordings: VHS
History / Biographical
Banff Winter Festival, successor to Banff Winter Carnival, was coordinated under the Chamber of Commerce until 1986. After that time it operated in association with the Recreation and Culture Department of what is now the Town of Banff. The Banff Winter Festival Society was founded in 1988 and has operated in conjunction with the Banff-Lake Louise Tourism Bureau since 1994.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three series: I. Textual records, 1973-1997; II. Photographs, ca.1960-1989; III. Moving Images, 1991-1992. Textual material consists of administrative and operational records in the form of files of reports, transcripts, letters, minutes of meetings, legal papers, lists, registrations, advertising, poster entries, handbills and print material. Photographs pertain mainly to festival events, activities, including the Festival Queen contest. Videos pertain to 1991 and 1992 Banff Winter Festivals.
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 photographic business records of professional photographer Bill Gibbons in three series: I. Commercial black and white series, ca.1945-ca.1958, ca.5400 photographs; II. Canadian Rockies colour series, ca.1945-ca.1990, predominant ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.8000 photographs; III. Other …
Fonds consists of the private business records of Bill Gibbons. Some photographs may have been made by employees.
Date Range
[ca.1945-ca.1990]
Physical Description
ca.13,404 photographs: negatives, prints, transparencies, albums, postcards. -- 2.5 cm textual records
History / Biographical
W. J. L. "Bill" Gibbons, 1914-1994 , was a professional photographer at Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1945 until 1959. Gibbons came to Canada in 1941 and settled in Banff after the war with his wife, Ella Mae (Becker), a Banff native. He established British Photographic Laboratories, with partners Lou Crosby and Jack Anderson, in the basement of the Mount Royal Hotel, moving later to street-level. Bill and Ella Mae Gibbons travelled throughout the mountain parks photographing views for sale in the Banff shop. These were offered as hand-coloured prints, with much of the colouring done or supervised by Ella Mae.
Later the business expanded to include colour postcards and slide sets. Gibbons employed other photographers, such as Bruno Engler, for specialty work, such as ski photography, and the Banff studio also did portraiture. Gibbons himself did most of the 4 x 5 format landscape work and made extensive use of models, many of who were young women employed by his Banff store. In 1959, Gibbons sold his business to a group of Banff businessmen and moved to Vancouver. In subsequent years, he continued to be active as a photographer and in publishing, working in different areas of the world. He made several photographic trips through the mountain parks, ca.1966-1972.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographic business records of professional photographer Bill Gibbons in three series: I. Commercial black and white series, ca.1945-ca.1958, ca.5400 photographs; II. Canadian Rockies colour series, ca.1945-ca.1990, predominant ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.8000 photographs; III. Other black and white series, ca. 1947, 4 photographs.
I. Commercial black and white series consists of six sub-series: A. Portraits and documentary views, 1945-1950, 2437 negatives (individual and group portraits, weddings, conferences, events, buildings, facilities and places; Banff and area); B. Banff School of Fine Arts, ca.1949, 277 negatives (privately produced views of classes, group portraits, activities, buildings and facilities); C. "S" sub-series, ca.1950, 1220 negatives (scenic views in the vicinity of Banff, Lake Louise, Banff-Jasper Highway, Jasper National Park, Radium and Columbia Valley, British Columbia and Pacific Coast, First Nations views); D. "T" sub-series, ca.1950, 482 negatives (scenic and commercial views, mainly Jasper, Banff-Jasper Highway and Lake Louise areas); E. Rolliflex and panorama negatives, 1949-1958, 584 negatives (Banff Winter Carnival, Banff School of Fine Arts, and Banff and area); F. Other, ca.1945-1951, 364 items (material similar to that in other series, some unidentified). Accompanied by small number of prints and postcards; also, publication: "Photographing the Canadian Rockies" by Bill J. L. Gibbons, 1948.
II. Canadian Rockies colour series consists of four sub-series: A. CR1 to CR84, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.260 prints; B. CR1 to CR443, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.5130 photographs; C. CR35-2 to CR35-81, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.2310 photographs; D. Other photographs, ca.1945-ca.1990. Series consists primarily of commercial colour negatives and corresponding proof prints pertaining to Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks, also some transparencies and oversize display prints.
III. Other black and white series. Series consists of 2 black and white prints of crash landing at Sunshine with Al Gaetz and Dick Pike, 1947 and two copy negatives with prints of Bruno Engler and Ella Mae Gibbons, ca.1947.
Textual records are record book, 1945-1953, 62 p; and book layout.
Fonds includes a framed collage, 2 photograph albums, 1 loan for copy scrapbook, and miscellaneous certificates and other ephemera. The collage consists of 14 b&w photographs of Stoney First Nations in the Kootenay Plains and Morley areas, 1877-1927. Identification of photographs include images of …
Bill Waterworth (1922-2009) was born on Marten Street in Mrs. Thomson's nursing home in Banff. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 18. On September 19, 1942, Waterworth was shot down over the French coast just short of completing his 33rd mission. Waterworth avoided capture by German patrols for two weeks before being captured and taken prisoner by the Gestapo. He was sent by boxcar to a Prisoner of War camp - Stalag VIIIB/344 - in Lamsdorf, Germany where he remained for three years.
In 1946, Bill married Bernice "Bern" Wilson (d. 2003), who was a granddaughter of Tom Wilson. Together they had three children, Lynn, Bunty, and Christie.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes a framed collage, 2 photograph albums, 1 loan for copy scrapbook, and miscellaneous certificates and other ephemera. The collage consists of 14 b&w photographs of Stoney First Nations in the Kootenay Plains and Morley areas, 1877-1927. Identification of photographs include images of John Hunter and George McLean (Chief Walking Buffalo), William Hunter, Paul Beaver, Sampson Beaver, Chief Tom Chinicka, John House, Silas Abraham, Job Beaver, Enos Hunter, Ben Kaquitts, Dan Wildman Sr., Dan Wildman Jr., Moses Hunter, Wildman boy, Enoch Wildman, Tom Kaquitts Jr., Tom Kaquitts Sr., Leebie Crawler, Tom Wilson, Morley Beaver, Nat Hunter, William and Josh Hunter, Mark Poucette, Geo. Kaquitts, Joe Peacemaker, and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hunter. Photograph album belonging to Bill Waterworth pertains to aviation training in Calgary, family, friends, and Boy Scout trips and photograph album created by Bernice "Bern" Waterworth (nee Wilson) consists of friends, family, and activities such as skiing and canoeing. The digitized scrapbook is titled "A Wartime Log : A Remembrance from Home Through the Canadian Y.M.C.A.", and pertains to Bill Waterworth's experience as a POW. The original Wartime Log was digitized in 2009, and the original returned to the family.
Photographs are in the public domain (other restrictions may apply)
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: electronic finding aid for processed material
Related Material
S1 / 162 - Whyte Museum Oral History Prograamme : Bill Waterworth's Wartime Log interview with Bill Waterworth by Head Archivist E. J. (Ted) Hart, May 28, 2009
Fonds consists of three series: I. Mountain travel and recreation, western Canada (A. Trips and activities, 1931-1992; B. General, between 1928 and 1960). II. Personal (A. Photography notes, 1938-1996; B. World travel, ca.1930-ca.1950; C. Personal photographs, 1927-ca.1955). III. Other, between ca…
Robin Cyril (Bob) Hind, 1911-2000, was an electrical engineer and mountaineer at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Hind was born on a farm in northern Alberta was educated at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. He was a Life Member of ACC, joining in 1933, and attended over 30 ACC camps, often with his family. Hind received the Silver Rope Award in 1935, was recipient of Centennial Medal, and served the ACC in offices of President, Vice-President and Chairman of Hut Committee.
In 1948, Bob Hind married Margaret (Peggy) Trotter, a fellow mountaineer and skier. Together they had two children. After Peggy Hind was killed in an avalanche in 1955, Hind married Marjory Bugler, and the couple had three more children. Marjory (Marj) Hind was a homemaker and mountaineer.
During his extensive mountaineering career, Bob Hind climbed most of the significant peaks in Rockies and Selkirks, including some first ascents. He also climbed in Wales and the Alps. Hind was active in the Calgary Tennis Club, the Boy Scout movement and was a member of the American Alpine Club and The Alpine Club, London. Bob Hind worked on electrical projects in Canada and Europe.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three series: I. Mountain travel and recreation, western Canada (A. Trips and activities, 1931-1992; B. General, between 1928 and 1960). II. Personal (A. Photography notes, 1938-1996; B. World travel, ca.1930-ca.1950; C. Personal photographs, 1927-ca.1955). III. Other, between ca.1925 and ca.1955.
Series I consists of photographs, motion pictures and textual records pertaining to mountaineering, hiking, travel, Alpine Club of Canada camps and activities in western Canada by Bob Hind, Bob and Marj Hind, and the Hind family.
Fonds consists of b&w and colour negatives, transparencies and prints pertaining to hiking in the Canadian Rockies, including trips with the Skyline Hikers and possibly Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes Canadian Hostel photographs. A 3.5" floppy disk with inventory listing in .wdb format and a…
Robert (Bob) Dwight Louden was born 1927 in Calgary, Alberta to Orley Dwight Louden and Anne Church Harding. Louden was educated at Stanley Jones Elementary School and Crescent Heights High School in Calgary. Louden began taking pictures at 10 years of age when he and his brother Don received a seventy-nine cent Agfa box camera from their parents before a family vacation to Victoria, B.C. and Seattle, WA. At sixteen years of age, Louden joined the Canadian Youth Hostels Association with his mother and brother and spent the next couple of years hiking with Mary and E. Catharine Barclay (the founder of Hostelling in Canada). Louden was a member of the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and the Alpine Club of Canada spending many weekends hiking and taking pictures. Louden met Betty Marie Christensen in the Hostelling Association and they married in 1952.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of b&w and colour negatives, transparencies and prints pertaining to hiking in the Canadian Rockies, including trips with the Skyline Hikers and possibly Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes Canadian Hostel photographs. A 3.5" floppy disk with inventory listing in .wdb format and a hard-copy of an inventory listing of the photographs was included with the records.
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life…
ca.441 col. transparency slides : 35 mm -- 14 col. neg. film strips (49 images) : 35 mm -- ca.1.5 cm textual records
History / Biographical
Clinton Bruce Hatfield (1926-2009) was born in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from Western Canada High School in 1945, Bruce attended the University of Alberta, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948, a Master of Science degree in 1951, and a Medical Degree in 1953. Bruce interned at the University of Alberta Hospital before moving to Minneapolis in 1957, where he worked as an Instructor in Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospital (1958-1959). Bruce moved back to Calgary and opened a private medical practice with his brother, Bob Hatfield. While operating his private practice, Bruce also served on several committees at the Calgary Hospital, including the Intern Committee, Library Committee, Medical Education Committee, Pharmacy Committee (of which he was Chair in 1966), and the Department of Medicine Committee. Bruce was hired as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in 1970, and was Clinical Professor of Medicine when he retired in 1994.
Bruce was active as an educator and volunteer in his community, and supported numerous charitable initiatives through the United Church of Canada. He gave public presentations on the topics of Family Life and Sex Education throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Bruce also served as a Trail Doctor for the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies on numerous trips between 1963 and 1995. Bruce was also a talented photographer; his photographs were featured in multiple publications including Macleans magazine, Canadian Doctor, and Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Bruce was the recipient of many awards including Calgary’s Citizen of the Year (1970), the Premier’s Cup (1983), an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Calgary (1995) and most recently was chosen as one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century (2005). Bruce and his brother, Bob, were co-recipients of the Alberta Achievement Award and the Premier's Cup for Excellence in Medicine and the Community.
Bruce was married to his wife, Kathleen, for 55 years and the couple raised four daughters together: Linda, Barbara, Sue and Kate.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life, wildlife, and landscapes; 14 colour negative film strips (49 images) depicting scenes from a trail ride in 1995; collected correspondence pertaining to trail rides and administrative work; medical reports from trail rides; and collected riders' lists and related material.