Fonds consists of two series: I. St. Mary's Parish, ca.1945-1983, 0.16 cm, and contains two sub-series: A. Architecture, ca.1945-1983 (architectural plans, general information); B. Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings (pertaining to Father McGuinness and St. Mary's Parish), 1950-1978. II. McGuinn…
1.11 cm of textual records (34 pages : 29 x 42 cm or smaller) -- 9 architectural drawings : annotations ; 89 x 58 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
Originally from ancient Iveagh, which is now County Down, Ireland, the McGuinness family eventually migrated to Liverpool at an unknown time. The McGuinness family were provision merchants in Liverpool, but found supplies limited so they emigrated to Canada. Born on June 20, 1886 in Liverpool, Father Robert James McGuinness moved to Belleville, Ontario, Canada with his family in 1890. He had 7 brothers and sisters, including Oswald A. McGuinness, who settled in Invermere, British Columbia.
Robert attended St. Lawrence College in Ampleforth, Yorkshire, and completed his studies at St. Servan in Rhiems, France, qualifying as an engineer. He held a position with the federal government upon his return to Canada, however when World War I broke out Robert served in the 29th Battalion of CRTS building pontoons behind European battle lines. After returning to Canada, Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as an architectural engineer, which brought him west to Banff, Alberta. Robert was the resident architectural engineer overlooking the construction of the Banff Springs Hotel expansion in the 1920's.
In the late 1920's, Robert traveled to Rome to enter the seminary and four years later he was ordained as a priest. After serving as priest in Calgary, Robert was appointed Catholic priest in Banff in 1936, where he lived and worked until his death in 1961. To fulfill a personal dream, Robert designed and supervised the construction of the new church building and grounds for St. Mary's Parish (St. Mary's of the Assumption) which was completed in 1951. During his years in Europe, Robert visited ancient churches and cathedrals which influenced the design of the church, primarily the Norman Chateau architectural style.
Robert was also a talented artist. Some of his work can be seen in galleries in New York and in Banff. His work has been reproduced for Canadian Pacific Railway tourism material, including the Spiral Tunnels postcard included in this fonds.
Robert died in Calgary on June 17, 1961, just shy of his 75th birthday, after being ill for a few months.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two series:
I. St. Mary's Parish, ca.1945-1983, 0.16 cm, and contains two sub-series: A. Architecture, ca.1945-1983 (architectural plans, general information); B. Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings (pertaining to Father McGuinness and St. Mary's Parish), 1950-1978.
II. McGuinness Family, 1953-1977, 1 cm (private records, including handwritten notes, a memoir, and a postcard).
Notes
. IYounger brother Oswald was a surveyor who built the road from Invermere to Calgary
There is some indication that Robert had a role in the construction of the Bow River Bridge or the collection of the stones used for the bridge, but this is unconfirmed
File consists of 5 cm of handwritten and typed correspondence, 23 x 34 cm or smaller. File pertains to correspondence between Carl Rungius and the Wardle family, as well as correspondence between Dorothy and Jon Whyte regarding gifting copies to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. File docume…
File consists of 5 cm of handwritten and typed correspondence, 23 x 34 cm or smaller. File pertains to correspondence between Carl Rungius and the Wardle family, as well as correspondence between Dorothy and Jon Whyte regarding gifting copies to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. File documents, among other things, the death of Louise (Carl's wife) in 1940; exhibiting Carl's work in the National Gallery of Canada, 1942 and 1956; and Carl's visits to the Wardle family home in Ottawa. Records also include a postcard and two Mayfair articles from 1943.
Notes
In 1983, Dorothy gifted photocopies of Carl's correspondence with her family. In 2003, the originals were donated as part of Dorothy's estate. The photocopies (accn. 5296) were discarded.
Carl Rungius was a wildlife and landscape painter who frequented and had a studio in Banff. The Wardle family was good friends with Rungius.
File consists of 19 letters addressed to David Zweifel: 18 from Catharine Robb Whyte and one from Murray Adaskin. Letters pertain to David Zweifel's music lessons and Catharine's funding of these lessons; Catharine fixing a violin to give to David Zweifel which was originally owned by David White; …
Produced by Catharine Robb Whyte and Frances and Murray Adaskin
Date Range
1967
1969
1970
1973
1989
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of 19 letters addressed to David Zweifel: 18 from Catharine Robb Whyte and one from Murray Adaskin. Letters pertain to David Zweifel's music lessons and Catharine's funding of these lessons; Catharine fixing a violin to give to David Zweifel which was originally owned by David White; discussions about composer Murray Adaskin and artists Carl Rungius and Belmore Browne; Catharine's skiing lessons and trips; the Tabeteau family; letters of recommendation written by Catharine for David Zweifel; Catharine's flying lessons; Catharine attending a funeral in Concord in 1969; Catharine reminiscing about art school in Boston and Peter Whyte; Christmas greetings; Catharine attending a concert in Edmonton; and a letter from Murray Adaskin which includes a copy of another letter sent to David Zweifel from Frances Adaskin in 1967, discussing Catharine's generosity.
Sub-series pertains to ca. 1089 black & white and colour negatives and b&w prints pertaining to various exteriors and interiors of buildings throughout the Bow Valley including buildings in Exshaw, hotels, personal homes, heritage buildings, churches, restaurants, moving the Moore House, the Banff …
File consists of dated Christmas and holiday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1940 and 1994. Includes cards sent from various family members, friends and organizations which Eleanor was involved with [including the National Philatelic Centre and the University of Alberta]. Some cards have attac…
File consists of dated Christmas and holiday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1940 and 1994. Includes cards sent from various family members, friends and organizations which Eleanor was involved with [including the National Philatelic Centre and the University of Alberta]. Some cards have attached photograph prints or personal images printed into the cards [i.e. family photographs].
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the …
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and UNICEF].
Notes
Some cards have personal photographs printed onto front covers, or have photograph prints physically attached.
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks,…
11.5 cm of textual records (32 x 42 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks, 1743-1860 (1943); four booklets related to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies (1934-1950); a booklet titled "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" (1928); an assortment of recipes; "The Margaret P. Hess Collection" booklet published by the University of Calgary (1977) and a related Calgary Herald newspaper clipping (1986); one Carl Rungius postcard; and six miscellaneous postcards depicting a former school teacher of Leette Wardle (1911), James Wardle at the Cave and Basin (1920), the Wardles in San Francisco (n.d.), two unidentified men (n.d.), and visitors to the Banff Springs Hotel (n.d.).
Notes
Book of Common Prayer inscribed with: “Martha Morey, November 4, 1872. New Westminster, BC. From her mother.” It belonged to James Wardle's mother.
The Pocket Cook Book contains annotations and written notes tucked in among the pages of the book.
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies booklets kept because the Wardles participated in trail rides and there are photos/mentions of James and Dorothy, and possibly Leette.
The "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" booklet contains a photograph print between pages 32 and 33.
Some of the postcards are annotated on the back, specifically the postcard depicting the Banff Springs Hotel which is addressed to Dorothy.
File consists of 17 cm of textual records, 34 x 44 cm or smaller. File pertains to an assortment of personal recordkeeping records and contains textual records, correspondence, photograph prints, and newspaper clippings. File documents various purchases and sales (Canmore, Alberta and Sidney, Briti…
File consists of 17 cm of textual records, 34 x 44 cm or smaller. File pertains to an assortment of personal recordkeeping records and contains textual records, correspondence, photograph prints, and newspaper clippings. File documents various purchases and sales (Canmore, Alberta and Sidney, British Columbia, mainly 1985-1986 and 1991-1995), property sales (Banff and Calgary, Alberta, 1972, and a photocopy of the original lease for the Wardle's property in Banff on Muskrat Street, 1921), Dorothy's work and membership with the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (1991-2001), art sales and appraisals (mainly Carl Rungius, 1977-2001), health and dental records detailing Dorothy's medical history (mainly 1994-2001, but goes back to 1934), a trip to Canmore (Banff Right to Reside (1984), subscriptions and miscellaneous records (including Dorothy's address book; poetry by her father, James Morey Wardle; Dorothy's passport from 1991-1996; various art collector catalogues such as Sotheby's; and commemorative coins), and Sheila Iris (S.I.) Ritchie's personal records (includes birth record from 1927 and death record from 1990).
Notes
Poetry by James Morey (J.M.) Wardle can be found in folder 34 under "miscellaneous."
Sheila Iris Ritchie was Dorothy's long-term housemate and close friend. Dorothy served as the executor of Sheila's will.
Dorothy's SIN card was originally included but has since been discarded for privacy concerns.
Photocopies of the original lease for the property on Muskrat Street were taken from Parks Canada microfiche records in 1993.
File consists of 19 colour photograph slides, 35 mm. File pertains to Dorothy's properties and her friend, Sheila Iris Ritchie. File documents the interior furnishings and art from Dorothy's various properties (Sidney, Banff, Canmore) and various images of Sheila Iris Ritchie, Dorothy's lifelong fr…
File consists of 19 colour photograph slides, 35 mm. File pertains to Dorothy's properties and her friend, Sheila Iris Ritchie. File documents the interior furnishings and art from Dorothy's various properties (Sidney, Banff, Canmore) and various images of Sheila Iris Ritchie, Dorothy's lifelong friend and housemate.
File consists of pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an e…
File consists of pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an exhibit opening at the Glenbow Museum [1981]; scientific theory and human evolution; Japanese study books; Canadian and global politics; international travel; and various other subjects.
Items in file are organized into 4 file folders based on contents:
LUX / II / F1 / 67 : Pamphlets, event programs and booklets
LUX / II / F1 / 68 : Booklets and small publications
LUX / II / F1 / 69 : Books and bound publications
LUX / II / F1 / 70 : Loose and other published materials