Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
File consists of 90 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm and 12.5 x 9 cm. File pertains to photographs taken by Dorothy Wardle of places, events, and scenery around Banff and Canmore. For Banff, file documents winter and fall scenery (mountains like Rundle and Cascade, the Bow River, Banff Avenue), wildl…
90 photographs : col. ; 15 x 10 cm and 12.5 x 9 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 90 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm and 12.5 x 9 cm. File pertains to photographs taken by Dorothy Wardle of places, events, and scenery around Banff and Canmore. For Banff, file documents winter and fall scenery (mountains like Rundle and Cascade, the Bow River, Banff Avenue), wildlife (elk and a bear), war memorial, Warren house, Baine house, Louis Trono concert in the park in 1995, and the Old Banff Cemetery. For Canmore, file documents the Highland Games in 1994, winter activities (ice sculptures, dog sled races at the Nordic Centre), St. Michael's Place, and a photograph of the valley. File also documents the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the cabins (Bill Peyto, Jack Sinclair, and Mather Family) located on the museum's property.
Notes
Old Banff Cemetery photographs include the headstones of: Wardle family, Stephen family, Mary Schaffer Warren, J. Murray Gibbon, and Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte.
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Record…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 30 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Records were filed in an envelope that was titled "Book Notes."
Notable people include James Wardle, J.B. Harkin, Pat Brewster, Arthur Unwin, Dr. Brett, Norman Sanson, and Bill Peyto, among others. Notable places and topics include the organization of the Department of the Interior, the Banff-Windemere Highway, Rocky Mountain Park and Park Wardens, Kootenay National Park fires, coal and precious metal mines (e.g. Bankhead, Silver City), trail riding and hiking, research about James Wardle and his accomplishments, Ya-Ha-Tinda, and various parks (e.g. Glacier, Revelstoke, Elk Island, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Other records include a handwritten letter to the Auld family in Scotland (cousins of Sheila Ritchie) with a story about Glenbow and a highland cow from Oban, Scotland; personal reflections on the Banff area and mountains in general; notes that Dorothy took while doing research at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Public Library; and a variety of newspaper clippings.
Notes
Includes request slips and stationary from the archives at the Whyte Museum.
Potentially includes a handwritten list of Dorothy's written works.
Newspaper clippings primarily from the Times Colonist, which is published in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the slips of paper are taped together. Was unable to remove them without damaging the materials. May present conservation issues in the future.
File consists of 137 colour photograph prints, 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy (DW) and friends visiting with one another and traveling together. File documents: DW and Glen and Dorie Gordon (appears to be a golf tournament); DW visiting with Anne and David Kelly and family (inc…
137 photographs : col. ; 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 137 colour photograph prints, 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy (DW) and friends visiting with one another and traveling together. File documents: DW and Glen and Dorie Gordon (appears to be a golf tournament); DW visiting with Anne and David Kelly and family (includes handwritten note that was taped to the envelope); Shirley and DW traveling from Sidney to Canmore, 1996; Mary Hay's multiple visits and travels to Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Takkakaw Falls, and Yoho National Park (1994-1995) and Thanksgiving at Mary's (1994); holdiays (Easter) and travels (Salt Spring Island, Chemainus) with Anne Thomas (Includes DW and Sheila visiting Anne photographs with a dog), 1987-1993; Marmie's Ranch (includes photographs of wildflowers), 1993 and 1995; visits and parties (Christmas) with Peg and Bert Millard, 1989-1990); Nancy and Gilbert Nelson's 50th anniversary and day trip to Salt Spring Island, 1988 and 1993; various birthdays with friends in and around Sidney, BC; dinners and visits with Anne and Claude Hudson, 1980, 1990-1995; photographs of Sheila and DW (1984); and miscellaneous photographs and portraits, including a photograph print of a painting of Carl Rungius (1977, 1983, 1988).
Notes
Photographs of Sheila and DW were originally framed but have been removed from frames for storage purposes.
Most folders include original envelopes that the photographs were stored in, which have additional information.
File consists of 100 colour photograph prints, 15 x 10 cm. File pertains to various trips and outings Dorothy took with friends Shirley Charlton, Hilda Mathiesen, and Betty Fonstad over a three year period. File documents trips and outings to Lake Louise, Bow Falls (Banff), Emerald Lake, Field, Gre…
File consists of 100 colour photograph prints, 15 x 10 cm. File pertains to various trips and outings Dorothy took with friends Shirley Charlton, Hilda Mathiesen, and Betty Fonstad over a three year period. File documents trips and outings to Lake Louise, Bow Falls (Banff), Emerald Lake, Field, Great Divide, Spiral Tunnels, Tea Storm Mountain Lodge, Vermillion River, Marble Canyon, Johnston's Canyon, Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park, Takkakaw Falls, and Lake O'Hara. Photographs include wildlife (birds, elk, sheep), wildflowers, mountain scenery, and posed photographs in front of significant landmarks.
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the photograph, where it was taken, and when. Some anecdotes are also added by Dorothy on the backside of some of the photographs.
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amster…
28 cm of textual records (21 x 29.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amsterdam, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, France, Monaco, Scotland, Italy, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and various places in North America.
File consists of 146 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm or smaller. File pertains to a collection of miscellaneous photographs of Dorothy and her friends throughout a 30 year period. File documents a multitude of day trips, visits with friends, holidays (birthdays, anniversaries), road trips, picnics, …
File consists of 146 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm or smaller. File pertains to a collection of miscellaneous photographs of Dorothy and her friends throughout a 30 year period. File documents a multitude of day trips, visits with friends, holidays (birthdays, anniversaries), road trips, picnics, Resthaven-by-the-Sea, Pender Island, Okanagan, Sidney harbour, Wardle Creek, Horseshoe Bay, Powell River, the Hoodoos in Banff and Tunnel Mountain, and Salt Spring Island. File also includes two passport photograph prints of Dorothy from 1991.
Notes
V75 / II / PA - 788 to 866: Includes the original envelope that the photographs were stored in and include detailed notes of dates, people, and places.
V75 / II / PA - 867 to 896: Includes 3 hand written notes (on an envelope, a letter addressed to Dorothy and Sheila dated 1987, and a Christmas card) and a newspaper clipping of the obituary for Anne Nelson (Dorothy’s friend). Each textual record remains where Dorothy put them.
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks,…
11.5 cm of textual records (32 x 42 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks, 1743-1860 (1943); four booklets related to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies (1934-1950); a booklet titled "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" (1928); an assortment of recipes; "The Margaret P. Hess Collection" booklet published by the University of Calgary (1977) and a related Calgary Herald newspaper clipping (1986); one Carl Rungius postcard; and six miscellaneous postcards depicting a former school teacher of Leette Wardle (1911), James Wardle at the Cave and Basin (1920), the Wardles in San Francisco (n.d.), two unidentified men (n.d.), and visitors to the Banff Springs Hotel (n.d.).
Notes
Book of Common Prayer inscribed with: “Martha Morey, November 4, 1872. New Westminster, BC. From her mother.” It belonged to James Wardle's mother.
The Pocket Cook Book contains annotations and written notes tucked in among the pages of the book.
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies booklets kept because the Wardles participated in trail rides and there are photos/mentions of James and Dorothy, and possibly Leette.
The "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" booklet contains a photograph print between pages 32 and 33.
Some of the postcards are annotated on the back, specifically the postcard depicting the Banff Springs Hotel which is addressed to Dorothy.
File consists of 82 colour photograph negatives, 35 mm. File pertains to miscellaneous events/outings, friends, and objects related to Dorothy Wardle. File documents the animal paintings from the Mount Royal Hotel (Banff); gravestones at the Old Banff Cemetery (1993-1999); miscellaneous photographs…
File consists of 82 colour photograph negatives, 35 mm. File pertains to miscellaneous events/outings, friends, and objects related to Dorothy Wardle. File documents the animal paintings from the Mount Royal Hotel (Banff); gravestones at the Old Banff Cemetery (1993-1999); miscellaneous photographs in and around Banff, including the cabins on the grounds of the Whyte Museum (1993-1999); Savary Island with Joy (1996); the waterfront at Sidney, British Columbia (1997); Yellow Point Lodge with Anne Hudson (August 3-6, 1997); Anne Hudson's home and property (August 12, 2001); and miscellaneous images of artwork by Carl Rungius.
Notes
Images of Carl Rungius' artwork were originally filed with M521 / I / B / 27
File consists of 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to…
16 cm of textual records (9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to slides (both Dorothy and her mother, Leette).
Notes
While traveling in Scotland in 1952, the Wardle family visited Banff.
Some notebooks have loose notes tucked inside. One notebook from 1957 has a related (about Scotland) newspaper clipping tucked inside it.