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 …
Date Range
1856-1980
Reference Code
M36 / S37 / V683
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Drawing
Motion picture
Film
Photograph
Album
Ambrotype
Cased photograph
Daguerreotype
Negative
Photograph print
Postcard
Tintype
Transparency
Sound recording
Cassette
Reel to reel
Textual record
Plan
Poster
Private record
Published record
Rockies Winter Sports Ltd. – 1940 – 1946 (M36/968)
ii. Ski Club of the Canadian Rockies – 1930 – 1953 (M36
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.
Image of Banff's first hockey rink - possibly on the Bow River or modern-day recreation grounds - with a church and Cascade Mountain visible in the distance
Image of Banff's first hockey rink - possibly on the Bow River or modern-day recreation grounds - with a church and Cascade Mountain visible in the distance
Box 2 Crosby House – Office Closet
Wildlife prints (bad condition – ripped and rolled)
Ticket re sale of Florida property
Unused air tickets – Qantas Airlines
“What’s in a Radio Tube” Booklet
Home Sound Reproduction Handbook
Box of postcards and prints
Canadian postage 4 cent stamp
Tire Jack instructions
Publications;
Child Life Magazine, 1929
Canada, 1950
Newfoundland Canada’s New Province
Proceedings of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Alberta, 1936
Pikes Peak by Rail
Vest Pocket Webster Dictionary
Visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, 1958
History of Baalbek (Lebanon), 1960
Alpine Wildflowers of Western U.S.
Wedding anniversary card
Statement Tablet (Blanket)
Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, 1911
Rare Coin Encyclopedia and Catalog
Golf Penalties
Alpine Club of Canada – Constitution and List of Members, 1937
4 travel note booklets (3 blank)
Alazhar Widow’s Benefit Association By-Laws, 1933
Cyprus Preceptory No. 33 Knights Templar By-Laws
Western Skating Association Handbook on Skating, 1906
Skaters’ History, 1916
Amateur Skating Union of the U.S. Handbook, 1934
International Skating Union Regulations, 1961
Amateur Athletic Union of Canada Official Handbook
2x Amateur Athletic Union of Canada Official Handbook, 1930-31
2x Canadian Philatelic Society, 1919
2x Canadian Philatelic Society, Membership List, 1930
University of Toronto – Hart House Booklet, 1923-1932
2x valentine cards
Telephone book instructions
Booklet of 20 miniature photo views Riverside (?), California
Numerous postcards, blank and correspondence
Decorative info cards
Canadian Dental Hygiene Council Publication “At the Gate”
A Book of Facts on Hot Water Heating Efficiency
Hints to Mothers on the Treatment of their Children, 1914
Infant Feeding and Hygiene
Today’s News, Summerside, PEI newspaper, 1939
Newspaper cut out – “Some cake receipts”
A poem “Thoughts from the “Sunny South” by Mary Belle Rich
High School and University Matriculation Exam Board Departmental Examinations, 1926-1935 for English, Physics, French, Art, Algebra, Latin, German, Composition
Tune/poem “Beautiful Banff”
Rocky Mountain Tours Brochure
Poem “Banff” by Mary Belle Rich
Poem “Lake Louise” by Mary Belle Rich
Booklet Wild Flowers in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington
Coleman Manual for Motor Campers
The Banff Windermere Highway – Department of the Interior publication
Oliver School District, province of Alberta Tax Notice, 1912-1915
2x Oct 15, 1924 Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies Bulletin, No. 1
2x Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies Bulletin, No.2
Publication – Australia for the Tourist, 1914
A lock of blonde hair
Inventory listing:
Box 3 Crosby House – Office Closet
Black box of matted prints, prints, and cartes des visites - Crosby and Seaton family photographs, many identified and captioned on reverse.
Brown metal box:
Sun Life Assurance Co. Correspondence
Agreement between Barbara Brewster, Jack Walker Brewster and Edward Cecil Collier, all Executors of Estate of George Brewster and Gertrude Crosby
Inventory listing of Triangle Inn, 1950
2 portrait photograph prints of L. Crosby
Insurance policy to Gertrude Crosby
2 agreements between Brewster Transport Co and Louis S. Crosby, 1954 & 1959
Lease agreement – Gertrude Crosby and Department of Interior Rocky Mountain Parks Canada Superintendent
Land Titles Certificate – YWCA Banff
**filed in the brown metal box are *important* papers containing many of the following:
Capital stock certificates
Insurance papers