Fonds documents Lillian Gest's visits and travels in the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere. Pertains to mountain travel, particularly pack trips, camps, mountaineering and recreation; Alpine Club of Canada; Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; natural and human history; the mountain landsca…
1.1 m of textual records. -- ca.7400 photographs : transparencies, prints, negatives, published photographs. -- 12 photograph albums (4208 prints). -- 47 motion pictures. -- 7 sound recordings : audio tape cassettes
History / Biographical
Lillian Gest, 1897-1986, of Merion, Pennsylvania visited the Canadian Rockies almost every summer for sixty years, beginning in 1921. She was an active participant in "Off the Beaten Track" trips organized by Caroline Hinman between 1923 and 1933, in which young people camped, hiked, hunted and went horseback riding throughout the region between Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson. During the 1930s, Gest attended hikes of the Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and developed mountaineering skills at Alpine Club of Canada annual camps. Christian Hasler Jr. often served as her guide. Gest also belonged to the American Alpine Club, the Philadelphia Trails Club and the Lake O'Hara Trails Club. She spent considerable time in the Lake O'Hara region and wrote "History of Lake O'Hara" (1961), "History of Moraine Lake" (1970), and "History of Mount Assiniboine" (1979).
Scope & Content
Fonds documents Lillian Gest's visits and travels in the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere. Pertains to mountain travel, particularly pack trips, camps, mountaineering and recreation; Alpine Club of Canada; Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; natural and human history; the mountain landscape; scenic views; family and friends.
Textual records include: I. Personal papers, 1925-1982, 36 cm., including A. Diaries and trip notes, B. Correspondence, C. Other; II. Activities, 1913- 1984, 50 cm., including: A. Writing (book projects, articles, memoirs and other writing), B. Nature study, C. Photography, D. Travel; III. Clubs and organizations, 1932-1984, n.d., 22.5 cm., including: A. American Alpine Club, B. Alpine Club of Canada C. Other (Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, Lake O'Hara Trails Club, Philadelphia Trails Club); IV. Other, 1894-1968, n.d., 1.5 cm., including: A. Caroline Hinman papers, B. Miscellaneous papers.
Photographs include: I. Transparencies, 1939-1981, 7153 items; II. Photograph albums, 1919-1958, 12 v. (4208 prints); III. Motion pictures, 1928-1942, 47 reels; IV. Prints and negatives, [ca.1912]-1980, 194 items; V. Published photographs, [ca.1930-ca.1980], n.d., 17 items. Images are well identified.
Accompanied by sound recordings of portions of diaries.
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse …
25 m of textual records. -- ca.46,000 photographs : prints, albums, postcards, cased photographs, transparencies, negatives. -- 178 sound recordings : audio tape reels, audio tape cassettes. -- 6 motion pictures (and film strips)
History / Biographical
Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929.
Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney First Nations. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney First Nations. Catharine also supported causes related to multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died in Banff in 1979.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse families, Series III: White and Curren families. Within Series I, there are four Sub-series: Series: A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers; B. Peter Whyte papers; C. Peter and Catharine Whyte papers accessioned after 2017; D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings.
File pertains to a photograph album depicting trips taken by Lillian Gest, usually during the summer, from 1934-1937.
The 1934 trip was part of the Alpine Club of Canada Annual Camp in northern Jasper National Park - starting in the Eremite Mountain area and working east towards Mount Edith Cavell.…
1 album (414 photographs : b&w ; 28.5 x 19 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album depicting trips taken by Lillian Gest, usually during the summer, from 1934-1937.
The 1934 trip was part of the Alpine Club of Canada Annual Camp in northern Jasper National Park - starting in the Eremite Mountain area and working east towards Mount Edith Cavell. Also includes a few photographs of mountains around the Banff town area.
The 1935 trip was part of the ACC Annual Camp in the Mt. Assiniboine and East Kootenay areas. Also includes newspaper clippings pertaining to Club activities and greeting cards from Club members.
The photographs associated with the Yoho Icefields from Bow Lake trip are most likely from the summer of 1936 based on greeting cards labelled as such, but very few of the photographs themselves are annotated.
The remainder of the album is dedicated to the 1937 trips to Mt. Trident, Mt. Bryce, the Columbia Icefield area, Bryce and Zion, Utah, the Boulder Dam, Arizona, and Colorado. Also includes Christmas cards from 1937 from various friends and Club members.
Inserts pertain to the overview/advertisements for the summer 1937 and 1938 trips that would have been sent out by Caroline Hinman in advance detailing routes, expectations, and prices ; a small photograph with a written note on the back, a letter addressed to Lillian Gest from the Springfield Television Broadcasting Corp, and a handwritten list of details pertaining to the summer 1934 trip orgainized by Caroline Hinman.
Notes
Blank pages not scanned.
Inserts 4 and 5 are photocopies of the originals that were included with the album.
Microfilm copy available for reference use by appointment only.
Language
English
Conservation
Removed from plastic sleeve and rehoused in acid-free paper, tied with flat string.
Locate original copies of inserts 4 & 5 and return them to PD - 10 Documents file - notes on the backs of the inserts note that the originals were moved to M67 but the documents could not be found.
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also …
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (121 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also relate to the late Robb twins, Edward and Frederick.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “C.+ R jr.” Album contains 104 pages (1 loose and 58 empty).
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Canadian Rockies, Summer of 1932. Hinman Horseback and Camping Trip, July 1-17. With the Alpine Club Camp at Glacier, B.C., July 19-Aug 1. Climbing and Walking Trips Aug 1-Sept 13
File pertains to a photograph album depicting three trips taken throughout the summer of 1932.
Canadian Rockies Summer of 1932 depicts what is possibly an Alpine Club of Canada organized climb around the Mt. Sir Donald and Mt. Dawson area of British Columbia. Includes mountain views, portraits, peo…
1 album (399 photographs : b&w ; 28 x 18 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album depicting three trips taken throughout the summer of 1932.
Canadian Rockies Summer of 1932 depicts what is possibly an Alpine Club of Canada organized climb around the Mt. Sir Donald and Mt. Dawson area of British Columbia. Includes mountain views, portraits, people climbing, glaciers, and an ACC Annual Camp.
Hinman Horseback and Camping Trip - July 1-17 [1932] depicts the annual backcountry horse trip organized by Caroline Hinman around the Mt. Assiniboine and East Kootenay areas of British Columbia. Includes scenic views, horses, camps, portraits, and two pages dedicated to the Hinman Party in August - it is not clear if Lillian Gest participated in the whole of Caroline Hinman's summer 1932 trip.
At the Alpine Club Camp depicts the ACC Annual Camp for 1932, based in Glacier, BC. Includes the ACC camp, mountains, glaciers, portraits, scenic views, climbing, swimming, Abbot Pass Hut, Glacier Circle Cabin, enlargements, and greeting cards.
Following the annotated ACC trip photographs are a collection of greeting cards, newspaper clippings, and misc. photographs from Gest's various trips during the summer of 1932. Most of these photographs are not annotated. Also includes greeting cards from trip members and a memorial card for Conrad Kain fixed to the inside back cover.
Inserts 1 and 3 pertain to the overview/advertisement for the Summer 1932 and 1933 trips that would have been sent out by Caroline Hinman in advance detailing routes, expectations, and prices. Insert 2 pertains to a clipped page from what is possibly an ACC or Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies periodical.
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (185 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “Catherine.” Sticker on album spine reads “Catherine #1.” Album contains 104 pages.
File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk…
1 album (173 prints : b&w and col. ; 25 x 22.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk of the album is dedicated to Christmas cards sent to Lillian Gest by various people from 1949-1958.
Inserts pertain to two photographs of a group of people sitting on the front porch of a cabin in Lake O'Hara. Ernest Feuz is seated far right.
File pertains to a photograph album depicting the 1924 trip organized by Caroline Hinman to the Canadian Rockies. Includes photographs of campsites, mountains, glaciers, rivers, people, and horses - many people photographed are marked in the album with initials, full names unknown. Also includes so…
1 album (517 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 15 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album depicting the 1924 trip organized by Caroline Hinman to the Canadian Rockies. Includes photographs of campsites, mountains, glaciers, rivers, people, and horses - many people photographed are marked in the album with initials, full names unknown. Also includes some enlarged photographs and greeting cards with trip photographs from Caroline Hinman, Eliza Campbell and Florence Bartlett.
Inserts pertain to overviews/advertisements for trips dated 1922 and 1923 that would have been sent out by Caroline Hinman in advance detailing route, expectations, and prices.
Notes
Black pages not scanned
Inserts free floating with album.
File pertains to a photograph album depicting the 1925 trip organized by Caroline Hinman to the Canadian Rockies. The trip, carried out on horseback, began at Robson Pass and worked north to Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park before returning to Lake Louise. Photographs from Bow Pass show 18 inches…
1 album (475 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 14.8 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album depicting the 1925 trip organized by Caroline Hinman to the Canadian Rockies. The trip, carried out on horseback, began at Robson Pass and worked north to Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park before returning to Lake Louise. Photographs from Bow Pass show 18 inches of snow on the ground, August 22, 1925. Also includes photographs from a side trip to Mount Robson, enlargements, and greeting cards with trip photographs from Florence Dibell Bartlett, Caroline Hinman, Mary Goddard Potter, and Samuel C. Edmonds.
Inserts pertain to the greeting card from Samuel C. Edmonds and the overview/advertisement for the 1925 trip that would have been sent out by Caroline Hinman in advance detailing route, expectations, and prices.
Notes
Please note: language used pertaining to First Nations included herein is outdated and offensive.
Blank pages not scanned
Inserts free floating with album