Fonds consists of correspondence re establishment and premises, 1949-1961; constitution and minutes, 1949-2006; miscellaneous textual items, including poster, blueprint and calendar of community events, 1974-1976; and a sound recording of the Banff Library/Seniors Centre opening ceremony, April 20,…
6 cm of textual records. -- 1 sound recording : audio tape reel; 217cm of unprocessed textual and visual material
History / Biographical
The Banff Public Library, also known as the Banff Library, was initially sponsored by local service groups in various premises, including the Banff Clinic, 1949-1961, a home on the Whyte property, 1961-1967, and in the Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation building (now Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies) from 1968-1985. In 1985, the Banff Public Library relocated to the lower floor of the new Banff Library/Seniors Centre, and in 1990 the library came under the jurisdiction of the new Town of Banff.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of correspondence re establishment and premises, 1949-1961; constitution and minutes, 1949-2006; miscellaneous textual items, including poster, blueprint and calendar of community events, 1974-1976; and a sound recording of the Banff Library/Seniors Centre opening ceremony, April 20, 1985.
Unprocessed Includes:
Box 1 consists of Banff Public Library minutes 1949 to 1994
Box 2 consists of Banff Public Library minutes 1995 to 2006
Box 3 consists of: Banff Public Library Needs Assessment, 1987, Banff Public Library Collection Assessment Project January – April 1995, Banff Public Library Renovations 1998, Banff Public Library Bylaws & Policy (1983?), Banff Public Library Plan of Service, By-Laws & Policy (1994?), Banff Public Library Rules & Regulations (1953-54?), George Stacey, Proposed Library Philosophy 1981, and Banff Public Library Goals & Objectives 1998, and Minutes of the Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee.
Also included is Proposed Banff Seniors’s Centre/Library Complex: Proposed Financing and funds, Proposal for Architectural Services, Budget for Construction and Consulting costs, Site Plan.
Documents regarding establishing a Building Committee: Letter from George Stacey, Secretary-Treasurer, Banff Library Board to W. R. Roberge, Chairman, Banff School District No. 102 requesting School District representation on the Building Committee and List of Committee members
Other various documents included are: Library Building Program Checklist, Review and remarks of the Building Committee’s visit to Lacombe, Space & design requirements; Fundraising, Planning, Clippings, One file “Banff Public Library up to 1962 clippings (incl. 1949 & before), Nine files labelled 1990-91, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 containing newspaper clippings, advertisements, and programme posters. Also included: library logo contest c. 1985, One blue receipt book containing receipts for fundraising donations for the new library at 101 Bear St. c. 1982-83, Seniors’ Centre: Plans, Anticipated Needs and Suggestions, Library Citizen Survey, and Space Plan April 1981
Leasehold Correspondence
Letter; E. J. Hart, Administrator, Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation to George Stacey, Secretary/Treasurer Banff Library Board
Letter; George Stacey, Secretary/Treasurer Banff Library Board to Cliff White, President, Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation
Letter; Lee Racine, Building and Development Officer, Parks Canada, Banff Township Office to Patricia Langridge, Chairperson Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee
Letter; Patricia Langridge, Chairperson Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee to Mr. Tom Ross, Acting Superintendent, Banff National Park
Letter; E. J. Hart, Administrator, Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation to Patricia Langridge, Chairperson Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee
Letter: Patricia E. McNamee, Librarian/Secretary/Treasurer, Banff Public Library to Patricia Langridge, Chairperson Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee
Letter: Patricia E. McNamee, Librarian/Secretary/Treasurer, Banff Public Library to Patricia Langridge, Chairperson Banff Library/Seniors’ Centre Building Committee
Box 4
Two small green photograph albums
Banff Public Library 1984-1989
Banff Public Library 2003-2007 Programming, staff events, renovations
Fourteen photos mounted on foam core with a sheet of paper describing the images. Copied and mounted by Chic Scott for a library celebration c. 2005.
Box 5
Two guest books containing visitor comments from 1999 and 2000
One file of negatives – ca. 1970? to 2000? and 1 CD-R disc containing 109 J-PEG photos dating 2000-2007
One VHS containing the Much Music Snowjob event, March 1995 containing a segment filmed in the library (staff Margaret Watson & Max Elliott).
Special program event posters
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
File consists of event invitations, programmes and newsletters sent to Eleanor Luxton by various organizations, clubs and associations between 1974 and 1993. Includes content pertaining to the Canadian Broadcasting League, the University of Alberta President's Club, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian…
File consists of event invitations, programmes and newsletters sent to Eleanor Luxton by various organizations, clubs and associations between 1974 and 1993. Includes content pertaining to the Canadian Broadcasting League, the University of Alberta President's Club, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Concordia University, the Kinette Club of Banff, the Arctic Institute of North America, the Glenbow Museum, the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Plains Research Center, and other organizations.
Notes
Some items are annotated
Folder LUX / II / C1 / 34 contains invitations and programmes; LUX / II / C1 / 35 and 36 contain newsletters
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
4 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 9 x 11 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
File consists of receipts, correspondence and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1978 and 1994. Contents pertain to memberships for various organizations and charities which Eleanor Luxton was involved with, including the Whyte Museum, the University of Alberta Alumni Association, the A…
File consists of receipts, correspondence and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1978 and 1994. Contents pertain to memberships for various organizations and charities which Eleanor Luxton was involved with, including the Whyte Museum, the University of Alberta Alumni Association, the Arctic Institute of North America, the Canadian Liver Foundation, and others; donations and academic scholarship funds; and related publication orders.
Notes
Contents are arranged by subject:
LUX / II / D / 205 : Membership and donation receipts, confirmations
LUX / II / D / 206 : Membership and donation correspondence
LUX / II / D / 207 : Historical association memberships, publication orders (1988)
LUX / II / D / 208 : Donation and membership cheque receipts, 1992-1993
LUX / II / D / 209 : Donation acknowledgements and thank-you letters, 1992-1994
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
Series consists of 7 sub-series:
*1. Personal education, [ca.1920]-1973: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's personal education and include records relating to her primary and secondary schooling; the University of Alberta, her teacher training at the University of Alberta summ…
16 m textual records, graphic materials and sound recordings
Scope & Content
Series consists of 7 sub-series:
*1. Personal education, [ca.1920]-1973: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's personal education and include records relating to her primary and secondary schooling; the University of Alberta, her teacher training at the University of Alberta summer school; the Provincial Normal School in Edmonton; post-secondary schooling at Sir George Williams College where she studied Commerce, Engineering, and received her Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.). Between 1933 and 1952, Eleanor Luxton participated in numerous other personal education activities, including: drama studies, 1933 (Banff School of Drama? and/or Banff School of Fine Arts?); Garbutt Business College, Calgary (office practices, 1937), St. Stephen's College, Edmonton (1940), Ottawa Technical High School (machine draughting, 1940-1941); German language studies (1951); Banff School of Fine Arts (radio writing and techniques, 1951, 1952); Western Canada Institute, Calgary (literature, before 1952).
*2. Teaching career: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's teaching career and include her teaching papers from secondary school and university.
*3. Engineering career, 1935-1946: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's work at the Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal.
*4. Historical research, 1890-[ca.1995]: Records in this sub-series pertain to biographical research files on individuals and families in the High River area and other ranching communities of southern Alberta; research notes, files, and recordings gathered for the High River and southern Alberta ranching research projects; articles, photographs collected for the High River and southern Alberta ranching research projects, and project records relating to the Glenbow-Alberta Institute research projects on High River and southern Alberta ranching. These records include project outlines, monthly and annual reports, expense statements, correspondence, register book, lists and notes. Also included in this sub-series are Canadian and western history research papers; McDougall family research papers; Luxton family research papers.
*5. Literary papers, 1969-1975: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's writings on Luxton's Pacific Crossing; Banff, Canada's First National Park; Latch String Out; Stoney Medicine.