Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpin…
ca.42 m of textual records. -- ca.12,500 photographs: prints, stereographic prints, transparencies, slides, negatives, postcards. -- 85 photograph albums. -- 8 motion pictures: films, video recordings. -- 3 sound recordings
History / Biographical
The Alpine Club of Canada, the national mountaineering club, was co-founded in 1906 by A. O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, and other like-minded climbers. The club espoused scientific study and exploration, cultivation of art, public education, acquisition of climbing skills, and preservation of natural areas within the mountainous regions of Canada. Through a national executive, local sections and volunteer committees, the club provided climbing camps, clubhouse, huts, and publications, including the Canadian Alpine Journal. ACC expeditions and projects resulted in pioneer exploration, first ascents, and included mountain warfare training during the Second World War. In recent years, the club's membership has increased dramatically with the popularity of climbing and its programs have evolved to serve the needs of unguided climbers using sophisticated technical aids.
Scope & Content
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpine Club itself.
The fonds consists of four Sous-fonds: I. Alpine Club of Canada records; II. Mount Everest Expedition (1982) records; III. Personal papers and photographs; IV. Other material. Club administration records (series I.A.) pertain to executive positions; head office; finance; camps, climbing and treks; expeditions; huts and properties; clubhouses; library; publications; photography; other committees; other activities; and other. Other club records include section records (series I.B.), hut registers and summit records (series I.C.).
Fonds consists of photographic business records of professional photographer Bill Gibbons in three series: I. Commercial black and white series, ca.1945-ca.1958, ca.5400 photographs; II. Canadian Rockies colour series, ca.1945-ca.1990, predominant ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.8000 photographs; III. Other …
Fonds consists of the private business records of Bill Gibbons. Some photographs may have been made by employees.
Date Range
[ca.1945-ca.1990]
Physical Description
ca.13,404 photographs: negatives, prints, transparencies, albums, postcards. -- 2.5 cm textual records
History / Biographical
W. J. L. "Bill" Gibbons, 1914-1994 , was a professional photographer at Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1945 until 1959. Gibbons came to Canada in 1941 and settled in Banff after the war with his wife, Ella Mae (Becker), a Banff native. He established British Photographic Laboratories, with partners Lou Crosby and Jack Anderson, in the basement of the Mount Royal Hotel, moving later to street-level. Bill and Ella Mae Gibbons travelled throughout the mountain parks photographing views for sale in the Banff shop. These were offered as hand-coloured prints, with much of the colouring done or supervised by Ella Mae.
Later the business expanded to include colour postcards and slide sets. Gibbons employed other photographers, such as Bruno Engler, for specialty work, such as ski photography, and the Banff studio also did portraiture. Gibbons himself did most of the 4 x 5 format landscape work and made extensive use of models, many of who were young women employed by his Banff store. In 1959, Gibbons sold his business to a group of Banff businessmen and moved to Vancouver. In subsequent years, he continued to be active as a photographer and in publishing, working in different areas of the world. He made several photographic trips through the mountain parks, ca.1966-1972.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographic business records of professional photographer Bill Gibbons in three series: I. Commercial black and white series, ca.1945-ca.1958, ca.5400 photographs; II. Canadian Rockies colour series, ca.1945-ca.1990, predominant ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.8000 photographs; III. Other black and white series, ca. 1947, 4 photographs.
I. Commercial black and white series consists of six sub-series: A. Portraits and documentary views, 1945-1950, 2437 negatives (individual and group portraits, weddings, conferences, events, buildings, facilities and places; Banff and area); B. Banff School of Fine Arts, ca.1949, 277 negatives (privately produced views of classes, group portraits, activities, buildings and facilities); C. "S" sub-series, ca.1950, 1220 negatives (scenic views in the vicinity of Banff, Lake Louise, Banff-Jasper Highway, Jasper National Park, Radium and Columbia Valley, British Columbia and Pacific Coast, First Nations views); D. "T" sub-series, ca.1950, 482 negatives (scenic and commercial views, mainly Jasper, Banff-Jasper Highway and Lake Louise areas); E. Rolliflex and panorama negatives, 1949-1958, 584 negatives (Banff Winter Carnival, Banff School of Fine Arts, and Banff and area); F. Other, ca.1945-1951, 364 items (material similar to that in other series, some unidentified). Accompanied by small number of prints and postcards; also, publication: "Photographing the Canadian Rockies" by Bill J. L. Gibbons, 1948.
II. Canadian Rockies colour series consists of four sub-series: A. CR1 to CR84, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.260 prints; B. CR1 to CR443, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.5130 photographs; C. CR35-2 to CR35-81, ca.1966-ca.1972, ca.2310 photographs; D. Other photographs, ca.1945-ca.1990. Series consists primarily of commercial colour negatives and corresponding proof prints pertaining to Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks, also some transparencies and oversize display prints.
III. Other black and white series. Series consists of 2 black and white prints of crash landing at Sunshine with Al Gaetz and Dick Pike, 1947 and two copy negatives with prints of Bruno Engler and Ella Mae Gibbons, ca.1947.
Textual records are record book, 1945-1953, 62 p; and book layout.
File consists of summit notes from Mount Fay produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1998 and 1999. Summit record includes entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while at the summit, wildl…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1998-1999
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Mount Fay is located along the Continental/Great Divide, along the Alberta and British Columbia border. Mount Fay is part of the Canadian Rockies.
Scope & Content
File consists of summit notes from Mount Fay produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1998 and 1999. Summit record includes entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while at the summit, wildlife sightings, trail updates, and related topics.
File:
M200 / V / A / 156: [100 YR SWISS CENTENNIAL CLIMB 1999: Faye Summit notes. Bow Hut OCT - DEC 1998]
File contains the Treasurer's Reports, Financial reports, Financial Information Packages for Board meetings, and Audited Financial statements and reports from 1985 to 2007. Includes a report on Financial Statements Revamping Proposal from 1992, a report on the Analysis of Canadian Alpine Journal Co…
File contains the Treasurer's Reports, Financial reports, Financial Information Packages for Board meetings, and Audited Financial statements and reports from 1985 to 2007. Includes a report on Financial Statements Revamping Proposal from 1992, a report on the Analysis of Canadian Alpine Journal Costs from 1985, and the Second Quarter Financial Report from May 1986.
File contains a 1990 report Re: Profile Documentation for Alberta Recreation & Parks & RPWF, the Alberta Section's Application to RPWF (Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation) for programs such as the Backcountry Ski Leadership Training Program, the Crevasse Rescue Video, the Youth Mountaineerin…
File contains a 1990 report Re: Profile Documentation for Alberta Recreation & Parks & RPWF, the Alberta Section's Application to RPWF (Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation) for programs such as the Backcountry Ski Leadership Training Program, the Crevasse Rescue Video, the Youth Mountaineering Camp and other programs. Also includes a Proposal for RPWF For Funding Towards The Canadian Centre for Mountaineering, the 1988 Profile and Application for Financial Assistance drafts and financial documents.
File contains correspondence, tax records, and acknowledgements of donations to the Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes records of Certificate of Interest, Certificate of Limited Partnership Assignee Units, and other records that relate to the 1989-1990 bequest to the Alpine Club of Canada.
File contains correspondence, tax records, and acknowledgements of donations to the Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes records of Certificate of Interest, Certificate of Limited Partnership Assignee Units, and other records that relate to the 1989-1990 bequest to the Alpine Club of Canada.
File includes the meeting minutes of the Annual General Meeting on November 12, 1988, as well as the President's Report, the Treasurer's Report, Membership Report and various committee annual reports for the AGM. Some reports are from the Mountain Management Committee, the Summer Camps Committee, t…
File includes the meeting minutes of the Annual General Meeting on November 12, 1988, as well as the President's Report, the Treasurer's Report, Membership Report and various committee annual reports for the AGM. Some reports are from the Mountain Management Committee, the Summer Camps Committee, the Ski Mountaineering Committee and the Expeditions Committee.
File contains records acknowledging donations to the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and 1990. Also includes a Daily Membership Deposit Report from February 1990.
File contains records acknowledging donations to the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and 1990. Also includes a Daily Membership Deposit Report from February 1990.
File contains a 1989 memorandum Re: Grant Funds, a 1990 report to the Calgary Section Re: Profile Documentation for Alberta Recreation & Parks & Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation, and the 1990 draft of a grant application.
File contains a 1989 memorandum Re: Grant Funds, a 1990 report to the Calgary Section Re: Profile Documentation for Alberta Recreation & Parks & Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation, and the 1990 draft of a grant application.
File includes a report on Fundraising Overview for the Alpine Club of Canada from 1990, a Report (Unfinished) on Planned Giving from May 1996, and Fundraising Reports for 1990/91 and 1992. Also includes Membership Statistics reports from 1992, a chart showing Sponsorship Opportunities, and the 1994…
File includes a report on Fundraising Overview for the Alpine Club of Canada from 1990, a Report (Unfinished) on Planned Giving from May 1996, and Fundraising Reports for 1990/91 and 1992. Also includes Membership Statistics reports from 1992, a chart showing Sponsorship Opportunities, and the 1994 Endowment Applications. Also includes reports on Corporate Fundraising Summary from May 1996 and Spring 1997.
