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 programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program f…
File consists of programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program for the 8th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival.
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during El…
0.5 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 16.5 x 25 cm and 11 x 14 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during Eleanor Luxton's time as a student at the University of Alberta.
File consists of one volume titled "Canada 1936: The Official Handbook of Present Conditions and Recent Progress". Content pertains to Canadian economics and industry in 1936. Item is signed by Eleanor Luxton on front cover and has additional annotations inside. Scrap of paper stored between pages …
File consists of one volume titled "Canada 1936: The Official Handbook of Present Conditions and Recent Progress". Content pertains to Canadian economics and industry in 1936. Item is signed by Eleanor Luxton on front cover and has additional annotations inside. Scrap of paper stored between pages 106 and 107 contains additional handwritten notes.
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the H…
1.2 cm of textual records (6 volumes ; 17.5 x 21 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the Hudson's Bay Company which were read before the Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba [1950]; a report by the Social Science Research Council of Canada; Alberta Blue Cross membership information; and a copy of "Pioneer Naturalists of the Rocky Mountains and the Selkirks" published for the Calgary Field Naturalists' Society with a note to Eleanor Luxton from author Beryl Hallworth.
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 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photograph…
7 photographs : b&w prints ; 50 x 40 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photographs from local events, including one depicting Eleanor Luxton and colleagues (possibly a class photograph); a group photograph from a drama performance at the University of Alberta; and the 1906 class of the N.C.O.'s Provisional School of Instruction in Calgary.
File consists of two programme booklets from conferences attended by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to a 1979 conference titled "Women Celebrate Women" held in Calgary, and a conference hosted in 1982 by the University of Alberta, titled "The Buildings of Alberta: A Useful Heritage".
File consists of two programme booklets from conferences attended by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to a 1979 conference titled "Women Celebrate Women" held in Calgary, and a conference hosted in 1982 by the University of Alberta, titled "The Buildings of Alberta: A Useful Heritage".
Material Details
University of Alberta programme has yellow braided string attached to binding
File consists of typed and handwritten short stories, writing excerpts and other written content by Eleanor Luxton, as well as a bibliography page. Includes a written and a typed copy of a short play titled "Past and Future" by Eleanor Luxton, both dated 1948.
File consists of typed and handwritten short stories, writing excerpts and other written content by Eleanor Luxton, as well as a bibliography page. Includes a written and a typed copy of a short play titled "Past and Future" by Eleanor Luxton, both dated 1948.
File consists of one notebook annotated by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to economics and industry. Pages are mostly blank, aside from front cover and first page.
File consists of one notebook annotated by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to economics and industry. Pages are mostly blank, aside from front cover and first page.
Material Details
Plain beige covers made of construction paper, interior pages are plain white