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 three framed oversized photograph prints: one print in a black frame depicting Murray Toft near Barbette Glacier [ca.1980-1990]; one print in a silver frame depicting a high-altitude tent used during the Everest '82 Expedition; and one print in a dark grey frame depicting two unid…
3 oversized framed photographs : b&w and col. ; 56 x 75 cm or smaller -- 1 annotated card
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three framed oversized photograph prints: one print in a black frame depicting Murray Toft near Barbette Glacier [ca.1980-1990]; one print in a silver frame depicting a high-altitude tent used during the Everest '82 Expedition; and one print in a dark grey frame depicting two unidentified climbers near Pigeon Spire, possibly taken by Glen Boles, which is accompanied by a greeting card [ca.1995] annotated with details related to the photograph.
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.
File pertains to 34 b&w prints of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides training courses and members. Includes shots of potential members participating in training courses [usually on Tunnel Mountain] as well as posed group shots of ACMG members.
34 photographs : col. & b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to 34 b&w prints of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides training courses and members. Includes shots of potential members participating in training courses [usually on Tunnel Mountain] as well as posed group shots of ACMG members.
Notes
Identities of people in PA - 27 from left to right [back row]: Rüdi Geitsch, Tim Auger, Peter Schlunegger, Bernie Schiesser, Hans Gmoser, [unidentified], Lloyd "Kiwi" Gallagher ; [front row]: [unidentified], [unidentified], Scott Flavelle, Clair Israelson, Dave Cochrane?, [unidentified], Phil Heim, Dan Griffith.
Identities of people in PA - 29, from left to right [back row]: Frank Stark, Rüdi Geitsch, Lloyd "Kiwi" Gallagher ; [front row]: Leo Gullmair, [unidentified], Hans Gmoser, [unidentified], Pierre Lentire?, Sepp Renner.
Identifications provided by Chic Scott
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.
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.
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.
File pertains to 7 black and white negatives of Cascade Mountain from the south side of the Bow River, Takakkaw Falls, the Great Divide sign, Pat Judge and fellow clergymen posed in front of St. George's-in-the-Pines Anglican Church, and baby deer.
File pertains to 7 black and white negatives of Cascade Mountain from the south side of the Bow River, Takakkaw Falls, the Great Divide sign, Pat Judge and fellow clergymen posed in front of St. George's-in-the-Pines Anglican Church, and baby deer.
Photographs pertain to activities and travels in and around Banff, Vancouver area. Includes photographs of Dorothy Cranstone and Pat Brewster. Also included are photographs of Pat Brewster's gravestone, and memorabilia.
81 photographs : b&w and col. ; 6 x 10 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
Photographs pertain to activities and travels in and around Banff, Vancouver area. Includes photographs of Dorothy Cranstone and Pat Brewster. Also included are photographs of Pat Brewster's gravestone, and memorabilia.
Photographs pertain to Dorothy Cranstone, Pat Brewster, family, friends on vacation in Hawaii and Europe. Includes photographs of Joan Cranstone, Marjorie LeVe, Dorothy Cranstone and Pat Brewster. Also included are collected photographs of family and friends.
75 photographs : b&w and col. ; 23 x 18 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
Photographs pertain to Dorothy Cranstone, Pat Brewster, family, friends on vacation in Hawaii and Europe. Includes photographs of Joan Cranstone, Marjorie LeVe, Dorothy Cranstone and Pat Brewster. Also included are collected photographs of family and friends.
File consists of skiing, Hiking, Banff Winter Carnival, Wildlife, Golfing, Banff Indian Days, Sunshine Ski Hill , Mount Norquay, and the Mount Mount Royal fire in 1967
File consists of skiing, Hiking, Banff Winter Carnival, Wildlife, Golfing, Banff Indian Days, Sunshine Ski Hill , Mount Norquay, and the Mount Mount Royal fire in 1967
File consists of one photograph album, photos are of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Ground Round Radio Play, Stikeen, Great Cattle Drive, Stumped, Cowabunga, Clown of the Continent, Trash Pageant, Green Streets, Nature Bats Last, and Christmas Conc…
1 album (40 photographs : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album, photos are of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Ground Round Radio Play, Stikeen, Great Cattle Drive, Stumped, Cowabunga, Clown of the Continent, Trash Pageant, Green Streets, Nature Bats Last, and Christmas Concerts
photo credits: Ernie Kroeger, Cheryl Bellows, Doug Smith, Greg Sherwell
Notes
Album cover and binding was badly damaged and not retained.
File consists of one photograph album, photos are of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Stumped, Watershed of Tears, Cowabunga, TRash Pageant, Clown of the Continent, Green Streets, Nature Bats Last, Through a Tire Swing, Splash and Ripple, David and Li…
1 album (40 photographs : b&w ; 10 x 18 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album, photos are of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Stumped, Watershed of Tears, Cowabunga, TRash Pageant, Clown of the Continent, Green Streets, Nature Bats Last, Through a Tire Swing, Splash and Ripple, David and Lisa, and Indigestion.
Notes
Album cover and binding was badly damaged and not retained.
File consists of negatives from photographs taken of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Stumped, Clown of the Continent, and Stikine,
ca. 120 photographs : b&w negatives ; 35 mm and 3 x 5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of negatives from photographs taken of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: Stumped, Clown of the Continent, and Stikine,
File consists of photographs taken of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: CHristmas concert and Nature Bats Last
Photo Credit: Ernie Kroeger
28 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs taken of the various plays created and preformed by the Precipice Theatre. Plays include: CHristmas concert and Nature Bats Last
Photo Credit: Ernie Kroeger
ca. 17,580 photographs: negatives, prints, and transparencies. -- 1 photograph album (ca. 150 prints). -- ca. 12.5 cm textual records. -- 42 reels of film
File consists mainly of photographs of the Steven Peyto family and friends in Banff, Calgary and Scotland. Banff material pertains to nurses, Banff Indian Days, Banff Winter Carnival, Vermilion Lakes and residential areas.
72 photographs : b&w and col. ; 16 x 20 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
Stephen (Steven) Augustus Peyto, 1888-1968, and Ann Peyto, 189--1996, came to Canada from Scotland ca.1926. Steven Peyto was a nephew of Bill Peyto and Walter Peyto.
Scope & Content
File consists mainly of photographs of the Steven Peyto family and friends in Banff, Calgary and Scotland. Banff material pertains to nurses, Banff Indian Days, Banff Winter Carnival, Vermilion Lakes and residential areas.