Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse …
25 m of textual records. -- ca.46,000 photographs : prints, albums, postcards, cased photographs, transparencies, negatives. -- 178 sound recordings : audio tape reels, audio tape cassettes. -- 6 motion pictures (and film strips)
History / Biographical
Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929.
Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney First Nations. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney First Nations. Catharine also supported causes related to multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died in Banff in 1979.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse families, Series III: White and Curren families. Within Series I, there are four Sub-series: Series: A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers; B. Peter Whyte papers; C. Peter and Catharine Whyte papers accessioned after 2017; D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings.
Fonds consists of photographic views primarily of the Cave and Basin, Banff Springs Hotel and Banff area, ca.1890. Three views are copies of stereo photographs by Bingham and Thom made in the Castle Mountain and Field, B.C. areas, probably during railway construction.
A. (Adam) B. Thom was a professional photographer, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who worked along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway in western Canada, first in partnership with F. (Fred) V. Bingham, 1884-1886, and later on his own. Thom relocated to Brandon, Manitoba in 1897.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographic views primarily of the Cave and Basin, Banff Springs Hotel and Banff area, ca.1890. Three views are copies of stereo photographs by Bingham and Thom made in the Castle Mountain and Field, B.C. areas, probably during railway construction.
Fonds consists primarily of 155 topical files prepared by Alice Fulmer as a personal project between 1964 and 1969 and composed of historical notes, transcripts, clippings, ephemera and photographs. Topics center around Banff history and personalities; Canadian Rockies history, flora and fauna; sk…
ca.95 cm of textual records. -- 40 photographs : prints
History / Biographical
Alice G. Fulmer, 1896-1989, was a resident and amateur local historian at Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists primarily of 155 topical files prepared by Alice Fulmer as a personal project between 1964 and 1969 and composed of historical notes, transcripts, clippings, ephemera and photographs. Topics center around Banff history and personalities; Canadian Rockies history, flora and fauna; skiing, Indians and miscellaneous Alberta and British Columbia subjects. ; Also includes the marriage record of Fulmer's great-grandparents, 1833; reminiscences about Emmeline Savatard, 1980; and a scrapbook on Banff history and personalities containing mainly Walter P. Fulmer's papers.
Photographs include personal and family photographs; also photographs collected by Alice Fulmer. Photographs pertain to Alice Fulmer, alpine trips, Fulmer family, early Banff activities and buildings, 1886-1967; includes some copies.
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and S…
6 m of textual records and printed material. -- ca.6100 photographs : prints, negatives, transparencies. -- 1 photograph album (49 prints). -- 29 motion pictures. -- 5 sound recordings
History / Biographical
Andy Russell, 1915-2005, was a trapper, guide and outfitter, writer, photographer, cinematographer, lecturer and environmental advocate in the Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.
Russell was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and spent his childhood on a ranch in the foothills near Pincher Creek. He became a skilled horseman, hunter, fisherman and trapper, and, in 1936, was employed by Bert Riggall, a pioneer guide and outfitter of wilderness pack trips in the southern Rockies since 1907. He became Riggall's partner in 1939 and took over the business when Riggall retired in 1946. Andy Russell and Kathleen (Kay) Riggall married in 1938 and raised five children at their ranch bordering Waterton Lakes National Park, where family businesses included guiding, saddlehorses and ranching. Children are: Richard "Dick" H. (b.1938); Andrew Charles "Charlie" (b.1941); Harold John "John" (b.1944); Hugh Gordon Riggall "Gordon" (b.1947); Lorenda Anne "Anne" (b.1952).
Russell continued as a renowned guide and outfitter with a wealthy repeat clientele until he was forced out of guiding by 1960 with the advance of the oil industry concerns upon wilderness areas in southern Alberta and British Columbia. Russell began to write nature articles in 1945 and after 1960 concentrated upon writing, photography, film making, lecturing and ranching. He wrote for numerous magazines and newspapers, produced radio broadcasts, and, using colour motion picture photography, developed programs on wildlife and wilderness habitat research for live public performances. Russell's films launched his career as an author of popular wildlife and mountain culture books, which included Grizzly Country. In later years, he was an active writer, consultant and advocate of wilderness and environmental management and received numerous awards and honours, including Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and Sons, royalties and lecturing); III. Writing, broadcasting and public appearances series, 1908-1990 (papers and photographs pertaining to writing, book projects, columns, broadcasts, reviews, advertising, promotion and other); IV. Photography and cinematography series, 1909-1990 (details below); V. Wildlife study and conservation activities series, 1945-[198-]; VI. Other activities series, 1931-[199-] (politics, interviews, information files); VII. Russell family series, [1867]-1983.
Photography and cinematography series consists of: Riggall/Russell guiding activity photographs, 1909-1962, ca.280 items; Andy Russell and Sons Production Ltd / Andy Russell professional photographs and films, ca.1940- ca.1990, ca.4200 photographs (mainly transparencies), 28 motion pictures, accompanied by some textual and printed items; personal and family photographs, 1916-1989, ca.1550 items; collected photographs, ca.1940-197-, ca.75 items. Professional photography and cinematography primarily arose from field work by Andy, Dick and Charlie Russell and pertains mainly to flora, fauna and landscape of the Canadian Rockies in continental divide region, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.
Motion pictures, ca.1950-1974, include original film "Grizzly Country" by Dick, Charlie and Andy Russell, produced by Evan J. Anton, ca.1969, copy print of same; also unedited wildlife and landscape footage of Waterton area, Yukon and British Columbia.
Sound recordings are interviews with Andy Russell, [ca.1970]-1988.
The Archives General File is an artificial collection of accessions which do not constitute separate fonds or collections or cannot be placed within existing fonds or collections. Included in the collection are textual records of many types, such as manuscripts, reports, letters, diaries, speeches…
57 cm textual records. -- 50 cm of photographs : prints. -- 189 photographs (15 framed prints, 51 transparencies, 79 negatives; 44 copy negatives). -- 3 photograph albums (139 prints). -- 6 motion pictures. -- 9 sound recordings
Scope & Content
The Archives General File is an artificial collection of accessions which do not constitute separate fonds or collections or cannot be placed within existing fonds or collections. Included in the collection are textual records of many types, such as manuscripts, reports, letters, diaries, speeches, poetry, plans and others; photographs in the form of prints, negatives, transparencies, albums, postcards, etc.; sound recorded interviews and programmes; and motion pictures. Material pertains broadly to the Banff area and many other areas within the Archives collecting mandate.
Notable items include: Walter Wilcox letter; George Kinney report; interviews with Bill Round and Edward Feuz; original copy of Treaty Number Seven; Mary Schaffer material, including letters, notes, photograph and report; reports on the Nakimu Caves; film pertaining to Banff Winter Carnival; Georgia Engelhard letters and photos; plans for buildings and structures; George Noble photograph; W. S. Park photograph.
Fonds consists of personal and professional papers and photographs of Goodsell while serving with the R.N.W.M.P. and as a Banff National Park warden, ca.1915-1947. Also includes marriage certificate of Goodsell's parents, 1872. Photographs pertain to Royal North West Mounted Police, warden activit…
2 cm of textual records. -- 146 photographs : prints
History / Biographical
Arthur A. Goodsell, 1892-1966, served with the Royal North West Mounted Police, ca.1915; with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1918-1919; as a national park warden, ca.1922; with the Saskatchewan Provincial Police, 1923-1924; and with the Illinois Central Railway, 1925-.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal and professional papers and photographs of Goodsell while serving with the R.N.W.M.P. and as a Banff National Park warden, ca.1915-1947. Also includes marriage certificate of Goodsell's parents, 1872.
Photographs pertain to Royal North West Mounted Police, warden activities and family activities in northern Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Banff, Alberta area.
Fonds consists of 53 diaries pertaining to personal life, travel, office work, and Alpine Club of Canada camps. Diaries range in date from 1885 to 1944. Also included are two volumes/scrapbooks compiled by A.O. Wheeler. Both volumes include numerous articles, newspaper clippings, letters, ACC broc…
62 vol. of textual material. -- 66 vol. of photograph albums
History / Biographical
Arthur Oliver Wheeler (1860-1945) DLS, ALS, BCLS, was born in Ireland, arriving in Canada in 1876. Wheeler was a mountaineer, co-founder of the Alpine Club of Canada (1906), and Dominion Land Surveyor. In 1913, Wheeler was appointed Boundary Commissioner and tasked with photo surveying the Alberta / British Columbia interprovincial boundary.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of 53 diaries pertaining to personal life, travel, office work, and Alpine Club of Canada camps. Diaries range in date from 1885 to 1944. Also included are two volumes/scrapbooks compiled by A.O. Wheeler. Both volumes include numerous articles, newspaper clippings, letters, ACC brochures and notices addressed to ACC members. Volume one covers the period 1902 to 1913; volume two includes materials from 1914 to 1940. A inventory of both volumes, compiled by ACC member Paul Geddes, is also included. Additionally there are 7 volumes of notes corresponding to the photographs A.O. Wheeler took.
Photographic material consists of 66 albums which contain approximately 5000 photographs, black and white positive prints from glass negatives, all 12 x 16 cm. The first album is dated 1915, the last 1924. Some of the albums contain a small map printed on linen. Each album contains an index to the photographs taken for the Alberta - British Columbia Interprovincial Boundary photo survey and are organized by Station, Bearing, and Subject.
Fonds consists of notes, correspondence and articles pertaining to the Astley family and early history of Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka areas. Fonds includes correspondence between Willoughby Astley and J. A. Jaffary of the Provincial Library, Alberta, 1928-1929, re place names in the Lake Louise…
Willoughby John Astley, 1859-1948, came to Banff in 1888 and built the Beach House Hotel at Lake Minnewanka. He moved to Lake Louise in 1889. Brother, Charles D'Oyley Astley, 1849-1937, and Lucy Ann Astley continued to operate the hotel until 1907 when they retired to Banff. The hotel was destroyed as part of power development at Lake Minnewanka, ca.1912.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of notes, correspondence and articles pertaining to the Astley family and early history of Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka areas. Fonds includes correspondence between Willoughby Astley and J. A. Jaffary of the Provincial Library, Alberta, 1928-1929, re place names in the Lake Louise area; scrapbook of clippings re World War I, including a list of Banff men who enlisted; Beach House Hotel guest register, 1890-1906, recording name and residence of guest, and occasionally record of fish caught; Astley family photographs, ca.1886-1930s. Photographs pertain to fishing and boating on Lake Minnewanka; Beach House Hotel and Lady of the Lake steam launch; Devil's Canyon, Bankhead and Banff; views of avalanche clearing in Roger's Pass by Byron Harmon. Includes one panorama view of group at Lake Minnewanka.
Fonds pertains to Austin Standish's life growing up in Banff, skiing, travel, winter sports, activities, and career as a ski guide; family photographs of Austin and Laurie Standish and children; early photographs of Banff and Calgary, Alberta; Sias and George Standish and activities; Standish and S…
The Austin Standish family operated hardware and service station businesses in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Family members were Austin Standish, 1913-1965, Laurie Standish, 1920-1985, and children Gail (Darby), Gordon, Russ and Brian.
Scope & Content
Fonds pertains to Austin Standish's life growing up in Banff, skiing, travel, winter sports, activities, and career as a ski guide; family photographs of Austin and Laurie Standish and children; early photographs of Banff and Calgary, Alberta; Sias and George Standish and activities; Standish and Son and later Standish businesses.
Fonds consists mainly of textual records in the form of minutes, 1895-1983; miscellaneous administrative files on school operations and local government, 1920-1979; legal and financial records, 1888-1979; assessment and tax rolls, 1901-1972, 19 v.; attendance registers, 1888-1986, 987 v.; an annive…
ca.7.5 m of textual records. -- ca.144 photographs : prints
History / Biographical
The Banff School District No.102 provided elementary and secondary education for Banff and area from 1887 until 1994, when it was replaced by the Canadian Rockies Regional Division No.12. During the 1970s and 1980s the district assumed, in the absence of a municipal government, responsibilities for aspects of local government as well as school administration. After 1990, the district's responsibilities strictly pertained to public education.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists mainly of textual records in the form of minutes, 1895-1983; miscellaneous administrative files on school operations and local government, 1920-1979; legal and financial records, 1888-1979; assessment and tax rolls, 1901-1972, 19 v.; attendance registers, 1888-1986, 987 v.; an anniversary issue of the Banff High School by The Cascadian, 1913-1933 containing a brief history of the school and autographs; and Robert D. Townsend trustee and chairman records, 1968-1977. Local government-related bodies referred to include: Banff Joint Committee on Future Townsite Administration, Banff Advisory Council, Banff Townsite Provisional Administration Board and Banff Townsite Options Review Committee. Townsend records consist of school board trustee and chairman files, 1968-1977, and local government information files assembled by Townsend, 1973-1977. Photographs pertain to school classes, faculty, activities and town views; 1887-1970.
Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Language
English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: series and file description
Related Material
Portion of fonds is related to Banff Joint Committee on Future Townsite Administration sound recording (S30) and Banff Townsite Provisional Administration Board fonds (M347)