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 textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sen…
Some materials produced by Catharine (Adams) Elkin
Date Range
[ca.1844 - 1909]
[ca.1939 - 1944]
1980 - 1981
2014
Physical Description
21 cm of textual records -- 16 postcards -- 3 drawings -- 1 photograph album : 107 b&w photographs
History / Biographical
Mary Wright (Molly) Adams was born on 15 October 1868. in Ridgefield Connecticut. She was the third of five children born to Cornelia Ann Cook (1830-1902) and Daniel Lucius Adams (1814 - 1899) She died in Kobe, Japan on 23 January 1909 and was buried there.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sent between Molly's extended family members [including members of the Adams, Cook and Wright families], ca.1844 and 1866.
Textual records primarily consist of correspondence sent between Molly Adams and various friends and family members [ca.1891-1909].
Notes
Fonds consists of two series:
Series I : Correspondence [contains two sub-series: I / A : Molly Wright Adams ; I / B : Extended family]
Series II : Personal and collected records
Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to Placido Monachello and family; and a bound publication titled "Machinery's Handbook", 1943, which belonged to Placido. 12 photographs pertain to Placido's experiences at the Alternative Service Corps work camp at the Spray River Trail near Banff Springs H…
ca.172 photographs : b&w prints -- 3 digital files : col. JPG images -- 4 cm of textual records (1 volume)
History / Biographical
Placido Monachello (1920-2018) received a conscription notice to join the war effort between 1940-1941. Placido opposed the conscription notice, identifying himself as a Conscientious Objector who refused to participate in the war. After appealing his case in court, Placido was sentenced to one year of work in an internment/work camp. Placido completed his year of work at the Alternative Service Corps work camp, located near the Sunshine Road/Brewster Creek area (ASW Camp No. 1). While at the work camp, Placido aided in the clearing of land and road construction around Banff. Placido returned home to Hamilton, Ontario in 1942, where he worked odd jobs as a labourer and farm hand.
Placido married his partner, Leonarda "Leona" (Borsellino) Monachello (1920-2019) in 1944, with whom he later had two children, John and David. Placido sent numerous letters and photographs to Leona during his time at the ASW camp. While Placido was in Banff, Leona directly supported the war effort as an employee at Westinghouse in Hamilton, Ontario, where she produced high-tech military components. Placido and Leona ran two delicatessen businesses together after the war, one of which was initially funded by her parents. The couple sold their business in the 1970s, after which Placido worked for Stelco (a steel manufacturing company) until 1985. Placido and Leona took a trip to visit Banff together in 2010.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to Placido Monachello and family; and a bound publication titled "Machinery's Handbook", 1943, which belonged to Placido. 12 photographs pertain to Placido's experiences at the Alternative Service Corps work camp at the Spray River Trail near Banff Springs Hotel (ASW Camp No. 1). ca.160 photographs pertain to Placido's family and personal life, including his wedding to Leonarda (Leona) in 1944 and their children [ca.1950s]. Fonds also includes 3 digital images of Placido and Leona visiting Banff in 2010.
Fonds consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to members of the Soole and Astley family, as well as the Homestead Hotel and property near Lake Minnewanka. Includes family photographs and albums; published materials, including two guidebooks; collected newspaper articles; notes and corre…
3 photo albums -- ca.6 cm of textual records -- ca.124 photographs (48 prints; 76 transparencies) -- one annotated ribbon
History / Biographical
David Mowbray Soole (1885-1959) was postmaster at Bankhead until 1913 when he moved to Banff to establish a real estate and insurance business. He sold the business in 1919 and bought the Homestead Hotel in Banff which he operated until 1945. Eric and his wife, Violet, had two children: a daughter, Ivy (Bond), and a son, Eric A. Soole.
Eric Astley Soole (1918-2012) grew up in Banff and Calgary. He married Sylvia (Maberley) Soole (1924-2016) in 1942 or 1943. Eric served in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to members of the Soole and Astley family, as well as the Homestead Hotel and property near Lake Minnewanka. Includes family photographs and albums; published materials, including two guidebooks; collected newspaper articles; notes and correspondence, including genealogical records; Eric and Sylvia Soole's marriage certificate; and other related materials.
File pertains to 43 b&w prints of various accidents around Banff National Park and the Banff townsite. Includes car collisions, train derailments, a small plane crash, and the Banff Bus Depot fire.
File pertains to 43 b&w prints of various accidents around Banff National Park and the Banff townsite. Includes car collisions, train derailments, a small plane crash, and the Banff Bus Depot fire.
Notes
Caution: some images include disturbing content, viewer discretion is advised.
File pertains to 51 b&w prints of various accidents and rescue missions around Banff National Park and the Banff townsite. Includes a forest fire, the Standish Hardware store fire, skiing rescue missions, and climbing/mountaineering rescue missions.
File pertains to 51 b&w prints of various accidents and rescue missions around Banff National Park and the Banff townsite. Includes a forest fire, the Standish Hardware store fire, skiing rescue missions, and climbing/mountaineering rescue missions.
Notes
Caution: some images include disturbing content, viewer discretion is advised.
File pertains to 38 b&w prints of people skiing. Includes action shots of people skiing at Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine, the Norquay parking lot, ski jumping, ski racing, and an unidentified person paragliding on skis at Norquay.
File pertains to 38 b&w prints of people skiing. Includes action shots of people skiing at Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine, the Norquay parking lot, ski jumping, ski racing, and an unidentified person paragliding on skis at Norquay.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Identifications made by Crawler family and Charlie Rabbit
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Identification made through misc. Elder meeting notes, source not confirmed.
Album photographs pertains to Banff area and Kingston, Ontario. photographs are of cemetery in Kingston, Kingston town, Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, Banff townsite, the Moore and Whyte Home. People in the photograhs include Dortothy Cranstone, Pat Brewster, and John White.
Album photographs pertains to Banff area and Kingston, Ontario. photographs are of cemetery in Kingston, Kingston town, Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, Banff townsite, the Moore and Whyte Home. People in the photograhs include Dortothy Cranstone, Pat Brewster, and John White.
Item consists of a print photograph of two young children dressed in regalia and sat on the grass, could be Arthur Kootenay on the left and Douglas Kootenay on the right.
Item consists of a print photograph of two young children dressed in regalia and sat on the grass, could be Arthur Kootenay on the left and Douglas Kootenay on the right.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
File pertains to 46 colour and b&w prints of Mount Assiniboine and its surrounding area. Includes views of the mountain and Lake Magog, the lodge and huts, people skiing, helicopters at the lodge, an unidentified group of people posed in front of a cabin, and other scenic views in winter and summer.
46 photographs : col. & b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to 46 colour and b&w prints of Mount Assiniboine and its surrounding area. Includes views of the mountain and Lake Magog, the lodge and huts, people skiing, helicopters at the lodge, an unidentified group of people posed in front of a cabin, and other scenic views in winter and summer.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Identification taken from misc. Elder meeting notes.
Item consists of a group of individuals in regalia on a parade float for the Banff Indian Days parade. Corrina Wesley identified sat at the end of the float, identified by beadwork.
Item consists of a group of individuals in regalia on a parade float for the Banff Indian Days parade. Corrina Wesley identified sat at the end of the float, identified by beadwork.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders during the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Indigenous people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections.
Item pertains to 12 colour photographs of the July 1970 Banff Indian Days parade down Banff Avenue. Includes images of unidentified First Nations people on horseback and on floats all dressed in regalia, some dancing. Images also include RCMP officers in dress reds, crowds along the street, busines…
Item pertains to 12 colour photographs of the July 1970 Banff Indian Days parade down Banff Avenue. Includes images of unidentified First Nations people on horseback and on floats all dressed in regalia, some dancing. Images also include RCMP officers in dress reds, crowds along the street, business fronts, and an unidentified group of girls in uniform, possibly Girl Guides.
File consists of Banff Indian Days negatives, photographs, and photograph postcards depicting events, including the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia at the Banff Springs Hotel courtyard. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families, Rev. John McDougall, Lt. Governor R.G. Brett Photograp…
Date Range
ca. 1910
1910-1912
1916
1926
1953
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3a / 13 / NA - 01 to NA - 17
LUX / I / D3a / 13 / PA - 01 to PA - 93
Photographs taken and published by G. & W. Fear, Philip Godsell, Byron Harmon, and some attributed to M. Forsyth
Date Range
ca. 1910
1910-1912
1916
1926
1953
Physical Description
110 photographs : 1 b&w negatives ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller : 93 b&w prints ; 20 x 13 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of Banff Indian Days negatives, photographs, and photograph postcards depicting events, including the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia at the Banff Springs Hotel courtyard. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families, Rev. John McDougall, Lt. Governor R.G. Brett Photographs taken and published by G. & W. Fear, Philip Godsell, Byron Harmon, and some attributed to M. Forsyth.
Notes
NA-01 to NA-09 have associated copy print and duplicate postcard prints. PA-22 and PA-54 have duplicate copies. NA-10 to NA-17 have a copy and duplicate print. Includes prints labelled [Peter Wesley?].
NA-12 is printed in brochures LUX / II / F1 / 20 / 20, 23, and 39. On a copy of LUX / II / F1 / 20 / 39 is a pen annotation under the photo "Tom Kakitts" [Tom Kaquitts]