Fonds consists of ca.147 photographs pertaining to Bishop A.H. Sovereign and his alpine expeditions (ACC, American Alpine Club, possibly other). Includes ca.47 b&w prints, 10 scanned images printed on paper, and ca.90 b&w negative photographs depicting summit views, campsites, ACC members, etc. bet…
ca.147 photographs : ca.47 b&w prints -- 10 scanned paper copies -- ca.90 b&w negatives
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of ca.147 photographs pertaining to Bishop A.H. Sovereign and his alpine expeditions (ACC, American Alpine Club, possibly other). Includes ca.47 b&w prints, 10 scanned images printed on paper, and ca.90 b&w negative photographs depicting summit views, campsites, ACC members, etc. between ca.1910-1920.
Notes
Photographs were transferred to the Whyte Museum from the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives on March 17, 2023.
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 personal photographs, biographical notes, memoir drafts and other collected materials pertaining to Robert Neville (Bob) Smith. Fonds also includes plans and maps pertaining to the development of land near Lake Minnewanka and the Cascade Power Plant project (1943).
ca.300 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 12 x 18 cm or smaller -- 7 cm of textual records -- 7 topographical maps/plans -- 8 postcards
History / Biographical
Robert Neville (Bob) Smith (1926-2021) was born in Banff. He was the only child of parents Enoch Smith and Laurene Smith (nee Munson). Bob grew up near Lake Minnewanka until 1941, when a hydro dam was installed resulting in the intentional flooding of the area. The family moved to Banff, where Bob met his future wife, Mary Parkinson. The couple were married in 1953 and moved to Seebe, where they raised two daughters, Marjory and Shirley.
Bob worked for Calgary Power Co. (later renamed TransAlta Utilities) from 1953 until his retirement in 1986. In his spare time, Bob founded the Bow Valley Camera Club and the Bow Valley Naturalists organization. In 1999, Bob was part of a successful project with the Bow Valley Naturalists to designate the Mount Yamnuska area as a Bow Valley Protected Area, following 25 years of lobbying with the Government of Alberta. Bob also formed the Meanderthals seniors hiking club in 1993 and led various local hiking trips in his later years.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal photographs, biographical notes, memoir drafts and other collected materials pertaining to Robert Neville (Bob) Smith. Fonds also includes plans and maps pertaining to the development of land near Lake Minnewanka and the Cascade Power Plant project (1943).
Fonds consists of five 16mm film reels with visual content pertaining to skiing in Banff, Lake Louise and Chile.
Films included in fonds:
"Herman Godner and Party ski in Rockies (Old B&W Silent)"
"Banff and Lake Louise Skiing (Silent and Colour) Old Ski- Banff and Lake Louise- Temple, Skoki area"…
Douglas Sinclair was a film producer whose work primarily focused on topics related to Canadian wildlife and landscapes, skiing, national parks, and the Canadian Rockies.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of five 16mm film reels with visual content pertaining to skiing in Banff, Lake Louise and Chile.
Films included in fonds:
"Herman Godner and Party ski in Rockies (Old B&W Silent)"
"Banff and Lake Louise Skiing (Silent and Colour) Old Ski- Banff and Lake Louise- Temple, Skoki area"
"Skiing in Portillo Chile Sound and Colour Running Time 18 min"
"Ski Material at Grey Rockes Enos at Banff with Merm and Wurtle Twins" (Silent, B&W)
"Let's Go Skiing with Lucile Wheeler at Banff"
Notes
Further information about films provided by donor Dianne Wheeler, available in Douglas Sinclair case file.
Fonds consists of research materials, publications, ephemera, and other materials collected by Jon Whelan. Fonds includes three Canadian Pacific bell boy log books, 1970-1980; five bound scrapbooks with collected newspaper clippings, ca.1880-1890; and collected advertisements and articles pertainin…
Jon Whelan (1952-2022) was a researcher, historian, and collector based in Banff, Alberta. Jon had a special interest in topics related to Banff National Park and Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Jon conducted independent research, as well as research for various authors and historians, from the 1980s onwards. Jon was also an active participant in municipal politics in Banff.
"For most of Jon’s life, he was engaged in community affairs and fearless in voicing an opinion. He was successful in raising public awareness and his tenacity achieved a personal goal, which was to initiate the use of video for regular Town of Banff council meetings. He dedicated himself to the concerns of Banff residents."
-Barry Kelly, Rocky Mountain Outlook, July 30, 2022
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of research materials, publications, ephemera, and other materials collected by Jon Whelan. Fonds includes three Canadian Pacific bell boy log books, 1970-1980; five bound scrapbooks with collected newspaper clippings, ca.1880-1890; and collected advertisements and articles pertaining to Canadian Pacific, Banff, travel and tourism within Canada, and related subjects.
Josephine Schupp (née Schäffer) (1888-1975) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Phoenix, Arizona. Josephine married Alfred Adolf Schupp in 1912.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of 23 letters sent to Josephine (Schäffer) Schupp from her cousin, Mary Schäffer Warren, between 1916 and 1939.
Notes
Majority of letters in fonds are dated between 1934-1939
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.
Records from TransAlta Utilities (formerly Calgary Power), 1939 - 1992, ca. 13 cm.:
1 binder: Summary - Environmental Assessment for the Renewal of Final Water Power Licence for the Cascade Power Facility and Operation, August 1992 ;
3 cm. of text - TransAlta. Energy Resources Conservation Board - …
Calgary Power Company was founded by banker W. Max Aitken in 1903. Aitken, who later became Lord Beaverbrook, reorganized a number of utilities as a subsidiary of his Royal Securities Company. He was joined in this venture by his friend and mentor R. B. Bennett, who served as Canadian Prime Minister from 1930 until 1935.Calgary Power Company was founded by banker W. Max Aitken in 1903. Aitken, who later became Lord Beaverbrook, reorganized a number of utilities as a subsidiary of his Royal Securities Company. He was joined in this venture by his friend and mentor R. B. Bennett, who served as Canadian Prime Minister from 1930 until 1935.
Calgary Power changed its name to TransAlta Utilities in 1981. With a service area that had outgrown
Calgary decades earlier, the company's new name reflected its province-wide operation. By 1985,
TransAlta provided 81 percent of the province's electricity needs. TransAlta Utilities Corporation is the
largest investor-owned electric utility in Canada. TransAlta supplies electric energy to over 630,000
customers, which amounts to approximately 70 percent of Alberta's electricity consumption.
Scope & Content
Records from TransAlta Utilities (formerly Calgary Power), 1939 - 1992, ca. 13 cm.:
1 binder: Summary - Environmental Assessment for the Renewal of Final Water Power Licence for the Cascade Power Facility and Operation, August 1992 ;
3 cm. of text - TransAlta. Energy Resources Conservation Board - 1987 Small Power Inquiry ;
1992 - Cascade licence renewal - includes 1992, .5 cm. - includes newsclippings, handwritten notes - draft renewal license ;
Cascade project license renewal; 1) scrapbook - photos with captions, 20 photos, 1992; 2) miscellaneous tour photographs, 1991-1992, 29 photos, includes Waterton Dam, Belly River, Oldman Dam; 3) 4 maps/blueprints - Banff/Lake Louise route plan, 1961; Transmission Line, 1992; Lake Minnewanka - Bow River, 1992; blueprint map of Banff National Park area ;
History of Cascade - reports: 1944 audit of construction of Minnewanka storage & power development; history - letters from Canadian government, 1939-1949.
Fonds consists of photographs, published booklets and film reels which belonged to William Royle. Content pertains to the Banff Boy Scouts: local events, including Banff Winter Carnival, Banff Indian Days and Banff's Centennial Parade in 1967; hiking, camping, skiing and other recreational activiti…
ca.348 photographs (204 b&w and col. prints, 144 col. transparencies) -- 0.5 cm of textual records -- 7 film reels
History / Biographical
William "Bill" Royle (1905-1980) moved to Banff from Lethbridge in 1952 with his mother (Mary Elizabeth) and two young sons (Bernard and Walter), following the death of his wife. William started the business Banff Plumbing and Heating Ltd., which he operated until his death. William and his brother, John J. Royle, were also involved with a laundromat business in Banff. From its inception in 1953, William also worked as director and president of the Banff Park Savings and Credit Union (now Bow Valley Credit Union). In his spare time, William volunteered with the Banff Boy Scouts, as well as St. Mary's Church in Banff, the Seniors' Society and the Alberta Council of the Aging.
William's son, Bernard, tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1969 while searching for new heliskiing routes in British Columbia with his friend, John Gow, who survived.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographs, published booklets and film reels which belonged to William Royle. Content pertains to the Banff Boy Scouts: local events, including Banff Winter Carnival, Banff Indian Days and Banff's Centennial Parade in 1967; hiking, camping, skiing and other recreational activities; Bernard Royle and friends; the Banff High School curling team; natural views and wildlife in Alberta and British Columbia; and other related subjects.
Includes three visual series: I - Prints ; II - Motion pictures ; III - Transparencies. Series I includes five sub-series: A - Boy Scouts [includes o.s. items] ; B - Banff Indian Days ; C - Banff Winter Carnival ; D - St. Mary's Baptist Church ; E - Misc.
Sub-series of hut registers from Abbot Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1954 and 2017. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut, wildlife sightings…
Abbot Pass Hut was built in 1922 and sits at an elevation of 2,926 meters. It is one of the highest structures in Canada. The hut was named after Philip Stanley Abbot who had died from a fall during the first known attempt to reach the summit of Mount Lefroy. The hut was a national historic site, but the hut was closed to visitors in 2018 due to the erosion of the slope beneath the hut. On June 30, 2022 Parks Canada officially removed Abbot Pass Hut, due to those environmental factors.
Scope & Content
Sub-series of hut registers from Abbot Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1954 and 2017. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut, wildlife sightings, custodial issues and updates, and related topics.
The sub-series is separated into individual hut registers, arranged by date:
M200 / IV / A / 1: Abbot Pass Hut register [1954 - 1960]
M200 / IV / A / 2: [Abbot Pass Hut Register 1954 - 1970]
M200 / IV / A / 3: [Abbot Pass Hut? loose register 1972 - 1974]
M200 / IV / A / 4: [Abbot] Pass Hut [register 1974 - 1978]
M200 / IV / A / 5: Abbot Hut [register 1979 - 1980]
M200 / IV / A / 6: [Abbot]'s Hut Registry [1980 - 1982]
M200 / IV / A / 7: [Abbot Pass Hut Register 1982 - 1983]
M200 / IV / A / 8: [Abbot Pass register 1983]
M200 / IV / A / 9: [Abbot Hut Register 1987]
M200 / IV / A / 10: Abbot's Hut Bible [register, 1988 - 1992]
M200 / IV / A / 11: Abbot Pass Hut 1992 - 93
M200 / IV / A / 12: "Abbot Pass Hut Log Book" Aug. 24, 1993 - July 20, 1995
M200 / IV / A / 13: Abbot Pass hut register Aug. 11, 1995 - July 30, 1996.
M200 / IV / A / 14: [Abbot Pass] hut register July 30, 1996 - May 4, 1997
M200 / IV / A / 15: "Abbot Pass Hut Register" June 26, 1997 - September 3, 1998
M200 / IV / A / 16: Abbot Pass Hut [1998- 2000]
M200 / IV / A / 17: Abbot Pass Sep 6, 2000 - July 26, 2002
M200 / IV / A / 18: Abbot Hut Register 2002 - 2003
M200 / IV / A / 19: Abbot Pass Aug 31, 2003 - Aug 20, 2005
M200 / IV / A / 20: Abbot Pass Register 2004 - 2007
M200 / IV / A / 21: Abbot Hut Register 2007 - 2009
M200 / IV / A / 22: [2011 Abbot Hut Register]
M200 / IV / A / 23: Abbot Hut Register [2012 - 2014]
M200 / IV / A / 24: Abbot Pass Hut Register [2014 - 2016]
M200 / IV / A / 25: Abbot Pass Hut Register, 2016 - 2017
M200 / IV / A / 26: [Abbot Pass Hut Register: 2017-2018]
The Alpine Club of Canada website:
https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/abbot-pass-hut/
The Government of Canada website:
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/culture/abbot
File pertains to 132 35 mm slides depictiong Alpine Club of Canada Camps from 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1960, consisting mostly of shots of people hiking, climbing, and mountaineering in and around the Lake O'Hara and Mt. Assiniboine areas.
Contents include:
1950 - Maligne (1-19)
1951 - Lake O'Hara (21…
File pertains to 132 35 mm slides depictiong Alpine Club of Canada Camps from 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1960, consisting mostly of shots of people hiking, climbing, and mountaineering in and around the Lake O'Hara and Mt. Assiniboine areas.
Contents include:
1950 - Maligne (1-19)
1951 - Lake O'Hara (21-69)
1952 - Mt. Assiniboine (71-124)
1952 - Mt. Assiniboine from Monica & Dudley (126-129)
1950 - Sent to [Bill Goodrich] from '50 Maligne Camp, [Bill Goodrich] on trail to glacier (131)
1960 - B-J HWY (Sent to [Bill Goodrich])
Mt. Saskatchewan (133)
Mt. Chephren (134)
Athabaska River (135)
Pyramid Mt. (136)
Athabaska Hotel (137)
File pertains to 121 35 mm slides depictiong Alpine Club of Canada Camps from 1953-1955 & 1957, consisting of scenic shots of mountain scenes and people climbing, portraits of various camp members, group portraits, waterfalls, glaciers, summit poses, and more.
Contents include:
1953 - Mt. Hooker (&…
File pertains to 121 35 mm slides depictiong Alpine Club of Canada Camps from 1953-1955 & 1957, consisting of scenic shots of mountain scenes and people climbing, portraits of various camp members, group portraits, waterfalls, glaciers, summit poses, and more.
Contents include:
1953 - Mt. Hooker (& Edith Cavell): 1-47
1954 - The Goodsirs: 49-58
1955 - Mt. Robson: 60-120
1957 - Robson from JEAN: 121-123
Robson Glacier: 124
File consists of 24 accounting books, 1871 to 1904 are accounting books from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The remaining accounting books are for Deer Lake Lodge and include charge accounts, dismemberments and receipts. XXX
File consists of 24 accounting books, 1871 to 1904 are accounting books from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The remaining accounting books are for Deer Lake Lodge and include charge accounts, dismemberments and receipts. XXX
File consists of 13 folders of samples from accounting books. Accounting books or ledger from Deer Lake Lodge and include charge accounts, dismemberments and receipts. XXX
File consists of 13 folders of samples from accounting books. Accounting books or ledger from Deer Lake Lodge and include charge accounts, dismemberments and receipts. XXX
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.
Sub-series pertains to 84 b&w and colour prints depicting assorted activities and events around Banff National Park. Includes pack trips, skiing, backcountry huts [Abbot Pass Hut and Bow Hut], community events, shops, a Canada Day Parade, the Canadian Centennial in 1967, a Royal visit in 1959, chur…
84 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25.1 x 20.1 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
Sub-series pertains to 84 b&w and colour prints depicting assorted activities and events around Banff National Park. Includes pack trips, skiing, backcountry huts [Abbot Pass Hut and Bow Hut], community events, shops, a Canada Day Parade, the Canadian Centennial in 1967, a Royal visit in 1959, churches, school programs, the 1967 Mount Royal Hotel fire, Banff Indian Days, high altitude mountaineering, conferences, boating on the Bow River, and rodeos.