Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
File consists of 137 colour photograph prints, 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy (DW) and friends visiting with one another and traveling together. File documents: DW and Glen and Dorie Gordon (appears to be a golf tournament); DW visiting with Anne and David Kelly and family (inc…
137 photographs : col. ; 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 137 colour photograph prints, 21.5 x 26.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy (DW) and friends visiting with one another and traveling together. File documents: DW and Glen and Dorie Gordon (appears to be a golf tournament); DW visiting with Anne and David Kelly and family (includes handwritten note that was taped to the envelope); Shirley and DW traveling from Sidney to Canmore, 1996; Mary Hay's multiple visits and travels to Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Takkakaw Falls, and Yoho National Park (1994-1995) and Thanksgiving at Mary's (1994); holdiays (Easter) and travels (Salt Spring Island, Chemainus) with Anne Thomas (Includes DW and Sheila visiting Anne photographs with a dog), 1987-1993; Marmie's Ranch (includes photographs of wildflowers), 1993 and 1995; visits and parties (Christmas) with Peg and Bert Millard, 1989-1990); Nancy and Gilbert Nelson's 50th anniversary and day trip to Salt Spring Island, 1988 and 1993; various birthdays with friends in and around Sidney, BC; dinners and visits with Anne and Claude Hudson, 1980, 1990-1995; photographs of Sheila and DW (1984); and miscellaneous photographs and portraits, including a photograph print of a painting of Carl Rungius (1977, 1983, 1988).
Notes
Photographs of Sheila and DW were originally framed but have been removed from frames for storage purposes.
Most folders include original envelopes that the photographs were stored in, which have additional information.