Fonds consists of papers and photographs of James Irvine (Jim) Brewster, Fern Brewster, Dell Brewster and the Brewster family. I. James Irvine Brewster papers and photographs, before 1948 and ca.1959, consist mainly of professional papers and photographs relating to guiding and outfitting activitie…
24 cm of textual records. -- ca.830 photographs : prints, negatives. -- 12 photograph albums (ca.1000 prints). -- 1 motion picture
History / Biographical
James Irvine Brewster, 1882-1947, came to Banff with his parents in 1888. While still boys, he and his brother Bill started guiding fishing parties and later formed an outfitting partnership. With silent partners Fred Hussey and Phil Moore, they established Brewster Brothers in 1904. Jim Brewster and Hussey left the business in 1906. In 1909, Jim returned to guide the business. Under his control, it became a major transportation supplier, Brewster Transport Company. Fern Brewster, 1902-1967, daughter of Jim Brewster and Lade Brewster (d.1915), was a sportswoman, businesswoman and homemaker. She was involved in the operation of Sunshine ski area and was a director of Brewster Transportation after her father's death. Fern Brewster's married names were Clarkson and Dooley. Adele (Dell) Brewster (Sibbald), 1896-1983, Jim Brewster's second wife, was also a director of Brewster Transportation.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers and photographs of James Irvine (Jim) Brewster, Fern Brewster, Dell Brewster and the Brewster family.
I. James Irvine Brewster papers and photographs, before 1948 and ca.1959, consist mainly of professional papers and photographs relating to guiding and outfitting activities, and to Brewster Transport Company records, including Sunshine ski area records. Series includes correspondence, diaries, legal papers, Sunshine Lodge addition papers, Brewster house plans and other material. Correspondence is incoming and outgoing letters between Brewster and Hussey, clients, and associates regarding guiding and outfitting, real estate speculation and personal matters, etc. 1906-1907. Diaries pertain to guiding, hunting and horse trips, 1897-1901, 1904-1906; entries mainly record clients, territory covered and game observations and records. Also includes articles and hand-drawn map by Brewster on hunting, 1903-1906. Includes 54 photographs pertaining to Brewster Transport after Jim Brewster period.
II. Fern Brewster papers and photographs, before 1967, includes mainly personal papers, correspondence, recipes, press clippings and photographs regarding friends and family, education, Jim Brewster's death and cooking. Correspondents include Carl Rungius, Les Peters, Charlie Beil and Fern Bedaux.
III. Dell Brewster papers, 1925-1967, pertain mainly to Jim Brewster's death. Dell Brewster photographs pertain to the Sibbald, Grier and McDougall families.
IV. Brewster family papers and photographs pertain to Jack Walker Brewster, and Brewster family and friends.
V. Other material, before 1978, consists of greeting cards.
VI. Later Acquisitions, pertain to various Brewster family members including Fern Brewster, Jim Brewster, and Pat Brewster.
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy …
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy Hope Wardle, 1919); James and Leette's marriage certificate from 1913; proof of age certificates and various notes on family (Roney) history; records pertaining to the family plot in the Old Banff Cemetery (including a photocopy of a blueprint plan of the cemetery grounds); records pertaining to the estates of James (d. 1971) and Leette (d. 1969); miscellaneous family items (including records about Dorothy's cousin Jack WIlliams who died overseas during World War II); photocopies of records pertaining to appointments and certificates for James (including his appointment to Deputy Minister of the Interior in 1935); and James' shares with the Alaska Yukon Pipeline (1966-1967). Records also include newspaper clippings (Banff Crag and Canyon, Calgary Herald) and various correspondence (related to the material) interspersed throughout.
M521 / II / A / 1 : Includes James Wardle's original birth certificate. In okay condition (some tears), currently in mylar. Consider digitizing.
M521 / II / A / 7 : The original shareholder certificate was ripped and then heavily taped back together. It is currently in mylar but could present issues in the future. Consider digitizing.