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 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 2.5 cm of textual records, 28 x 21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Christmas cards that were sent to the Wardle family from Peter and Catharine Whyte (c. 1951-c. 1968), Dean and Edith Robinson, and Carl Rungius (c.1938-c.1954). Records include a one-page typed biography of Peter…
2.5 cm of textual records (28 x 21.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 2.5 cm of textual records, 28 x 21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Christmas cards that were sent to the Wardle family from Peter and Catharine Whyte (c. 1951-c. 1968), Dean and Edith Robinson, and Carl Rungius (c.1938-c.1954). Records include a one-page typed biography of Peter Whyte and a handwritten letter tucked into one of the cards from the Whyte family (dated Jan. 22, 1967).
Notes
Each holiday greeting is written on a card made by Peter and Catharine Whyte, and Carl Rungius, respectively.
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy …
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy Hope Wardle, 1919); James and Leette's marriage certificate from 1913; proof of age certificates and various notes on family (Roney) history; records pertaining to the family plot in the Old Banff Cemetery (including a photocopy of a blueprint plan of the cemetery grounds); records pertaining to the estates of James (d. 1971) and Leette (d. 1969); miscellaneous family items (including records about Dorothy's cousin Jack WIlliams who died overseas during World War II); photocopies of records pertaining to appointments and certificates for James (including his appointment to Deputy Minister of the Interior in 1935); and James' shares with the Alaska Yukon Pipeline (1966-1967). Records also include newspaper clippings (Banff Crag and Canyon, Calgary Herald) and various correspondence (related to the material) interspersed throughout.
M521 / II / A / 1 : Includes James Wardle's original birth certificate. In okay condition (some tears), currently in mylar. Consider digitizing.
M521 / II / A / 7 : The original shareholder certificate was ripped and then heavily taped back together. It is currently in mylar but could present issues in the future. Consider digitizing.
File consists of 100 colour photograph prints, 15 x 10 cm. File pertains to various trips and outings Dorothy took with friends Shirley Charlton, Hilda Mathiesen, and Betty Fonstad over a three year period. File documents trips and outings to Lake Louise, Bow Falls (Banff), Emerald Lake, Field, Gre…
File consists of 100 colour photograph prints, 15 x 10 cm. File pertains to various trips and outings Dorothy took with friends Shirley Charlton, Hilda Mathiesen, and Betty Fonstad over a three year period. File documents trips and outings to Lake Louise, Bow Falls (Banff), Emerald Lake, Field, Great Divide, Spiral Tunnels, Tea Storm Mountain Lodge, Vermillion River, Marble Canyon, Johnston's Canyon, Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park, Takkakaw Falls, and Lake O'Hara. Photographs include wildlife (birds, elk, sheep), wildflowers, mountain scenery, and posed photographs in front of significant landmarks.
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the photograph, where it was taken, and when. Some anecdotes are also added by Dorothy on the backside of some of the photographs.
File pertains to 41 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from September 3 to December 14, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, seeing the m…
1 cm of textual records (58 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 41 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from September 3 to December 14, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, seeing the musical My Fair Lady at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary (Sept. 21), driving out to the Panther Valley with Warden Peter Tasker (Oct. 16), Carl Rungius' death (October), a trip to Concord in early November [just Catharine], construction on the back of the house, a second trip to Concord for Christmas and New Years followed immediately by a two-month trip to the West Indies [Catharine and Peter]. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes two postcards making up one letter.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
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 consists of 1.5 cm of textual records, 21.5 x 28 cm or smaller. File pertains to official invitations received by the Wardle family from the Government of Canada, Governor General, and Minister of Sweden for various social events, as well as an envelope with calling cards that Mary Schaffer Wa…
1.5 cm of textual records (21.5 x 28 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1.5 cm of textual records, 21.5 x 28 cm or smaller. File pertains to official invitations received by the Wardle family from the Government of Canada, Governor General, and Minister of Sweden for various social events, as well as an envelope with calling cards that Mary Schaffer Warren gave to Leette Wardle.
File consists of 146 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm or smaller. File pertains to a collection of miscellaneous photographs of Dorothy and her friends throughout a 30 year period. File documents a multitude of day trips, visits with friends, holidays (birthdays, anniversaries), road trips, picnics, …
File consists of 146 colour photographs, 15 x 10 cm or smaller. File pertains to a collection of miscellaneous photographs of Dorothy and her friends throughout a 30 year period. File documents a multitude of day trips, visits with friends, holidays (birthdays, anniversaries), road trips, picnics, Resthaven-by-the-Sea, Pender Island, Okanagan, Sidney harbour, Wardle Creek, Horseshoe Bay, Powell River, the Hoodoos in Banff and Tunnel Mountain, and Salt Spring Island. File also includes two passport photograph prints of Dorothy from 1991.
Notes
V75 / II / PA - 788 to 866: Includes the original envelope that the photographs were stored in and include detailed notes of dates, people, and places.
V75 / II / PA - 867 to 896: Includes 3 hand written notes (on an envelope, a letter addressed to Dorothy and Sheila dated 1987, and a Christmas card) and a newspaper clipping of the obituary for Anne Nelson (Dorothy’s friend). Each textual record remains where Dorothy put them.
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 254 colour photographs, 15.5 x 10 cm. File pertains to Dorothy's various travels and outings across Alberta and British Columbia primarily in the mid-1990s. File documents her travels to Lake O'Hara, Okanagan, Kootenay Lake, Marble Canyon, Canmore, Lake Louise, Banff National Park,…
File consists of 254 colour photographs, 15.5 x 10 cm. File pertains to Dorothy's various travels and outings across Alberta and British Columbia primarily in the mid-1990s. File documents her travels to Lake O'Hara, Okanagan, Kootenay Lake, Marble Canyon, Canmore, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake, Savary Island, Resthaven Beach, Spruce Meadows, Pender Island, Salt Spring, Saturna Island, Sidney Spit, Ucluelet and Broken Islands, Powell River and Sunshine Coast, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Yellow Point Lodge, and Butchart Gardens. Photographs document beach and mountain scenery and activities (shell and rock picking, hiking), outdoor picnics and dinners, traveling on boats, gardens and wildlife (elk, goats, birds), and posed photographs (although most are scenery and landmarks).
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the image, where it was taken, and when.