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 materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life…
ca.441 col. transparency slides : 35 mm -- 14 col. neg. film strips (49 images) : 35 mm -- ca.1.5 cm textual records
History / Biographical
Clinton Bruce Hatfield (1926-2009) was born in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from Western Canada High School in 1945, Bruce attended the University of Alberta, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948, a Master of Science degree in 1951, and a Medical Degree in 1953. Bruce interned at the University of Alberta Hospital before moving to Minneapolis in 1957, where he worked as an Instructor in Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospital (1958-1959). Bruce moved back to Calgary and opened a private medical practice with his brother, Bob Hatfield. While operating his private practice, Bruce also served on several committees at the Calgary Hospital, including the Intern Committee, Library Committee, Medical Education Committee, Pharmacy Committee (of which he was Chair in 1966), and the Department of Medicine Committee. Bruce was hired as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in 1970, and was Clinical Professor of Medicine when he retired in 1994.
Bruce was active as an educator and volunteer in his community, and supported numerous charitable initiatives through the United Church of Canada. He gave public presentations on the topics of Family Life and Sex Education throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Bruce also served as a Trail Doctor for the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies on numerous trips between 1963 and 1995. Bruce was also a talented photographer; his photographs were featured in multiple publications including Macleans magazine, Canadian Doctor, and Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Bruce was the recipient of many awards including Calgary’s Citizen of the Year (1970), the Premier’s Cup (1983), an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Calgary (1995) and most recently was chosen as one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century (2005). Bruce and his brother, Bob, were co-recipients of the Alberta Achievement Award and the Premier's Cup for Excellence in Medicine and the Community.
Bruce was married to his wife, Kathleen, for 55 years and the couple raised four daughters together: Linda, Barbara, Sue and Kate.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life, wildlife, and landscapes; 14 colour negative film strips (49 images) depicting scenes from a trail ride in 1995; collected correspondence pertaining to trail rides and administrative work; medical reports from trail rides; and collected riders' lists and related material.
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.
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.
File consists of photographs compiled by Douglas Leighton for publication. Includes photographs of landscapes, lakes, mountains, hotel, tourists, waterfalls and glaciers.
File consists of photographs compiled by Douglas Leighton for publication. Includes photographs of landscapes, lakes, mountains, hotel, tourists, waterfalls and glaciers.
File pertains to 45 colour 35mm slides of Banff Indian Day events. Includes unidentified First Nations people dressed in regalia on horseback through the Banff townsite as part of the parade, dancing, and the Banff Indian Grounds with tepees - George McLean (Tatanga Mani)(Walking Buffalo) visible t…
File pertains to 45 colour 35mm slides of Banff Indian Day events. Includes unidentified First Nations people dressed in regalia on horseback through the Banff townsite as part of the parade, dancing, and the Banff Indian Grounds with tepees - George McLean (Tatanga Mani)(Walking Buffalo) visible throughout. Some images are dated 1959.
File consists of photographs of the Banff National Park including photographs of Vermillion Lakes, Mount Rundle, Hotels, downtown Banff, Lake Louise, and Cascade Mountain.
File consists of photographs of the Banff National Park including photographs of Vermillion Lakes, Mount Rundle, Hotels, downtown Banff, Lake Louise, and Cascade Mountain.
File pertains to 23 colour 35mm slides of the Banff Seniors visiting the Sunshine Village Ski Resort in June 1979 and May 1980. Includes pictures of unidentified people, the main lodge [inside and out], vehicles, and the Village.
File pertains to 23 colour 35mm slides of the Banff Seniors visiting the Sunshine Village Ski Resort in June 1979 and May 1980. Includes pictures of unidentified people, the main lodge [inside and out], vehicles, and the Village.
File pertains to 74 colour 35mm slides of Banff Winter Carnival events, possibly from multiple years. Includes parade floats, ice sculptures, Ice Pinnacles on the Bow River, and scenes of a large crowd - possibly part of opening or closing ceremonies.
File pertains to 74 colour 35mm slides of Banff Winter Carnival events, possibly from multiple years. Includes parade floats, ice sculptures, Ice Pinnacles on the Bow River, and scenes of a large crowd - possibly part of opening or closing ceremonies.
Notes
Slides are sectioned into series, noted by stamped numbers in one corner of the cardboard mounts - some appear to be curated by Royle and are denoted with ink dots.
File consists of photographs of mammals of British Columbia and Alberta. Some of the mammals include skunks, cottontail, badgers, bears, pika, weasel, coyote, ground squirrel, and wolf
File consists of photographs of mammals of British Columbia and Alberta. Some of the mammals include skunks, cottontail, badgers, bears, pika, weasel, coyote, ground squirrel, and wolf
File pertains to 13 colour film transparencies of a helicopter [operated by the company Bow Helicopters] installing a new chairlift at Lake Louise Ski Hill.
File pertains to 13 colour film transparencies of a helicopter [operated by the company Bow Helicopters] installing a new chairlift at Lake Louise Ski Hill.
File pertains to 5 colour transparencies mounted in cardboard frames of possibly multiple trips to the Bugaboos, British Columbia - at least one trip was taken as part of the High Altitude mountaineering/photography course offered by the Banff Centre in the mid-1970s.
File pertains to 5 colour transparencies mounted in cardboard frames of possibly multiple trips to the Bugaboos, British Columbia - at least one trip was taken as part of the High Altitude mountaineering/photography course offered by the Banff Centre in the mid-1970s.
