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 one handmade photograph booklet produced by Eleanor Luxton and sent to her parents, Norman and Georgina Luxton [ca.1943]. Content pertains to Eleanor Luxton visiting gardens[?] [location unknown] and posing at the beach. Booklet is decorated with several Christmas stickers and smal…
File consists of one handmade photograph booklet produced by Eleanor Luxton and sent to her parents, Norman and Georgina Luxton [ca.1943]. Content pertains to Eleanor Luxton visiting gardens[?] [location unknown] and posing at the beach. Booklet is decorated with several Christmas stickers and small personal notes written by Eleanor.
Notes
Date provided is estimate by Processing Archivist based on year of issue for stamps attached to original envelope [stored in file]
Material Details
Covers and pages of booklet consist of dark blue tissue paper. Photographs are attached with black corner fasteners. Booklet is bound together with 3 metal staples.
Booklet has seven handwritten notes attached, including one on the front cover which reads:
"Art? - For home consumption only. Strictly confidential."
File pertains to 110 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to August 29, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs …
Date Range
1959
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 144
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
you were in on
the Christmas Eve celebrations with Hanne &
itelga & family, if I read the letter right
2.5 cm of textual records (145 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 110 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to August 29, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], the 50th anniversary of the first flight in the Brittish Commonwealth in February, the 1959 Winter Carnival, construction on the back of the house, a trip to Concord in June for a friend's wedding, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's visit in June, trips to Bow Lake during the summer, and the widening of the Icefield Parkway as far as the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
144 - 02 is a letter to Rusty
144 - 07 is a carbon copy of 144 - 06
144 - 31 is a carbon copy of 144 - 30
144 - 56 is a carbon copy of 144 - 55
144 - 62 mostly consists of a story titled "The Story of Penny Warren"
144 - 86 is a carbon copy of the first page of 144 - 85
File pertains to 119 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to December 31, 1947. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, hockey games [on the radio and live], curling, skiing, cameras and phot…
Date Range
1947
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 122
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
think it very nice of
him to call, he goes to one member of the family each year I
think .
All for now
2.4 cm of textual records (142 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 119 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to December 31, 1947. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, hockey games [on the radio and live], curling, skiing, cameras and photography, events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, painting [including making sketches for a show in Montreal next year], Jim Brewster's death and funeral in February, ski races and ski jumping at Norquay, the Winter Carnival, Catharine working with the local Red Cross, business pertaining to the shop and apartments on Banff Ave, cleaning and household chores, matters pertaining to the Ski Club, gardening, day trips around Banff National Park for sketching and picnics, Banff Indian Days [including helping Norman Luxton by handling the financials], the Calgary Stampede, going to Calgary for a few days in August for Pete to see an ear specialist [they stay at the Hotel Paliser], beginning construction of a ski lift at Norquay and of the new Banff Art School [Banff School of Fine Arts], Gray & Eleanor Campbell moving to their ranch in Cowley, minor renovations to the house [mostly pertaining to water lines and the roof], expansion of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge [adding the dining room, entrance hall, and second floor], construction of the new Hudson's Bay Store and a new hotel on Banff Ave [possibly the King Edward], the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, errand trips to Calgary, making the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas/holiday activities and parties.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters have small notes written in pencil, possibly by Edith or Pete.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
122-01 contains quotes from two letters [September 12 & August 7, 1947] written by an unknown author.
122-57 contains a few interesting anecdotes about life in Anthracite.
File pertains to 127 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to December 29, 1948. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, matters pertaining to the store on Banff Ave, hockey games [on the radi…
Date Range
1948
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 123
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
. They
are a big family, very wealthy so they say, who have built a "cottage"
in Banff, and come for their holidays
2.5 cm of textual records (157 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 127 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to December 29, 1948. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, matters pertaining to the store on Banff Ave, hockey games [on the radio and live], events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, photography, painting, the new Greyhound Station being built behind the Mount Royal Hotel, the Winter Carnival, errand trips to Calgary, the annual Ski Championships at Norquay [February], putting together sketches to send to Ontario for an exhibition [the pictures were later sent to Concord to be shown], concerts, the death and funeral of Mark Poucette, cleaning and household chores, business and issues pertaining to the store on Banff Ave, installing a new electric stove in the kitchen, flooding during the spring [mostly in BC], Elizabeth Rummel leaving Skoki Lodge, Banff Indian Days [which included a ceremony to induct Pearl and Phillip Moore as honourary Princess and Chief], the Calgary Stampede, concerns over Pete's health, a day trip to Lake O'Hara with George Noble in September [they were given permission to drive themselves up], the opening of the White Groceteria on October 1, making the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas/holiday activities and parties. Also includes a pressed flower and the annual Christmas card, mounted on cardstock.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters have small notes written in pencil, possibly by Edith or Pete.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
123-09 has four small sketches of pictures made by Jon Whyte on the second page.
123-36 is a carbon copy of 123-35.
123-47 contains a sketch of the new electric stove.
File pertains to 92 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to July 14, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mo…
Date Range
1958
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 142
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
decided to look into it . The girli
was born in Banff and her family are still living her e , originally
2.7 cm of textual records (135 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 92 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to July 14, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary [mostly by car], new glasses for Peter, construction of the new Trans-Canada Highway, construction projects pertaining to Buffalo Block [including the installation of a restaurant on the second floor], the Seymour Narrows, B.C., controlled explosion (April 5, 1958), the opening of the new Morley Community Centre in April, a trip to Edmonton, mention of starting a Foundation in order to manage the block they live on [including ideas for an art gallery, library, and museum] and the proposed name Wa-Che-Yo-Cha-Pa supplied by George McLean, and travel around Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia between visits to Concord for the purpose of painting. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
142 - 21 is a Valentine's Day card missing the front cover, not addressed to anyone and signed by Mildred.
142 - 44 is a copy of a letter written to Catharine and Peter from Rusty.
142 - 60 is a letter written from Edmonton on Corona Hotel Edmonton letterhead.
142 - 74 is the beginning of letters written on the road between Banff and Yarmouth, N.S., on the way to and after leaving Concord.
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of the…
Date Range
1950
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 126
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
Palmer sent the picture of the family and
I h,ad a feeling they had all been stretched out as r think
1.6 cm of textual records (93 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of their new diesel engines, events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, the North American Ski Championship in February [for which Pete designed pins], the Banff Winter Carnival, installing fluorescent lights in the kitchen [prior to that they had "temporary" lights], purchasing a new Jeep stationwagon, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor visiting Banff in April, driving to Concord in May and back to Banff in June, plans for Banff Indian Days, a trip to Bow Lake, and Pete and Catharine's 20th wedding anniversary. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clear…
Date Range
1952
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 130
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
the family couldn I t make him hear It is sad. 1hen we
went to the Wards but Sam was out and we didn 1t stay
1.2 cm of textual records (72 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clearing a new ski run on Norquay, Gray Campbell starting on his first book ["We Found Peace"], the death of King Geroge VI in February, the Winter Carnival [called "Silver City"], installing a new hot water tank in the house, Peter submitting a painting to a competition for ex-RCAF men to be sent to the Queen, clearing trees from their yard, buying a new Jeep, being interviewed by Ken Liddel in June, and camping/sketching trips to Lake Louise and Bow Lake. Also includes a postcard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
130 - 16 has a section cut out from the middle of the page.
130 - 24 appears to be missing the first page of the letter.
130 - 28 contains a recreation by Catharine of a design Jon Whyte made of a Weaving School he thought his mother should start.
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hock…
Date Range
1955
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 136
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
.
Last letter I was just telling you about the
Grahams party. They are quite a family, come
1 cm of textual records (61 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, Peter working on paintings for the Luxton Museum, the Winter Carnival [including Peter and Catharine judging the ice sculptures], Edith's companion Hanne moving in, the death of Ted Paris in April, replacing the oil furnace with a gas one in the house, Peter's mother Annie dying suddenly in May, and sketching trips, mostly around the Bow Lake area.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1956. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mo…
Date Range
1956
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 138
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
or your
being stupid. I think it is a little quirk that must run in the
family and I have in.herfited
1.3 cm of textual records (87 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1956. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], construction of the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff to Lake Louise, Pete giving Frank Kaquitts painting lessons, the death and funeral of David Bearspaw in February, the Winter Carnival, opening the new post office, a visit to Gray and Elanor Campbell's ranch in Cowley, a trip to Bow Lake, Catharine's 50th birthday, and her nephew Rusty arriving for a visit. Also includes one notecard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
138 - 08 is a carbon copy of the first page of 138 - 07