Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpin…
ca.42 m of textual records. -- ca.12,500 photographs: prints, stereographic prints, transparencies, slides, negatives, postcards. -- 85 photograph albums. -- 8 motion pictures: films, video recordings. -- 3 sound recordings
History / Biographical
The Alpine Club of Canada, the national mountaineering club, was co-founded in 1906 by A. O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, and other like-minded climbers. The club espoused scientific study and exploration, cultivation of art, public education, acquisition of climbing skills, and preservation of natural areas within the mountainous regions of Canada. Through a national executive, local sections and volunteer committees, the club provided climbing camps, clubhouse, huts, and publications, including the Canadian Alpine Journal. ACC expeditions and projects resulted in pioneer exploration, first ascents, and included mountain warfare training during the Second World War. In recent years, the club's membership has increased dramatically with the popularity of climbing and its programs have evolved to serve the needs of unguided climbers using sophisticated technical aids.
Scope & Content
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpine Club itself.
The fonds consists of four Sous-fonds: I. Alpine Club of Canada records; II. Mount Everest Expedition (1982) records; III. Personal papers and photographs; IV. Other material. Club administration records (series I.A.) pertain to executive positions; head office; finance; camps, climbing and treks; expeditions; huts and properties; clubhouses; library; publications; photography; other committees; other activities; and other. Other club records include section records (series I.B.), hut registers and summit records (series I.C.).
Fonds consists of two series: I. Expeditions and trips series, 1946-1974; II. General files series, 1913-1978. Expeditions and trips series pertains to mountaineering expeditions and trips of Arnold Wexler and companions to western and northern Canada and locations in the United States. Canadian…
Arnold Wexler was responsible for the creation of most material. Fonds also contains material created by A. C. Faberge, Alvin E. Peterson, Donald Hubbard, William L. Putnam, Samuel V. Moore, Mike Banks, and others
Date Range
1913-1978, predominant 1946-1974
Physical Description
ca.4100 photographs (ca.3000 transparencies, ca.700 negatives, ca.400 prints). -- 7 photograph albums (ca.190 prints). -- ca.40 cartographic records. -- 16 cm of textual records. -- 5 cm of print material. -- 5 graphic records
History / Biographical
Arnold Wexler, 1918-1997, was a research engineer and mountaineer in the Washington, DC area of the United States. He was a member of numerous scientific and mountaineering organizations and was actively involved in the testing of mountaineering equipment. Wexler climbed extensively in North America, Europe and South America, and also travelled throughout Asia. He is credited with over 100 ascents, almost half being first ascents.
Wexler was a key organizer and participant of expeditions to western and northern Canada beginning in 1946. Noteworthy ascents of that first expedition, to the northern Selkirks of British Columbia, were the second ascent of Mount Sir Sandford and first ascents of Sentinel Peak, Unicorn and East Blackfriar. Also, near the end of that trip, an accident claimed the life of an expedition member. Wexler and his associates made annual expeditions and trips to Canada from 1946 until 1955, and subsequently in the years 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1970 through 1974
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two series: I. Expeditions and trips series, 1946-1974; II. General files series, 1913-1978.
Expeditions and trips series pertains to mountaineering expeditions and trips of Arnold Wexler and companions to western and northern Canada and locations in the United States. Canadian expedition destinations included the Selkirk Mountains, Cariboo Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Monashee Mountains, Coast Range, Bugaboo Mountains, Logan Mountains, Battle Range and Adamant Range. Mountaineers involved were Arnold Wexler, Sterling B. Hendricks, Donald Hubbard, Alvin (Pete) E. Peterson, Alex C. Faberge, Chris G. Scoredos, Charles C. Haworth Jr., Samuel V. Moore, Arthur Lembeck, Norman Goldstein, W. L. Putnam, A. J. Kauffman and others. Series includes extensive photographs, trip diaries and maps.
General files series consists of files pertaining to mountaineering, equipment, locations, climbing associates and expeditions. Includes correspondence, checklists, exhibition prints, climbing portraits, and research material in the form of topical files, maps and print material
Fonds consists of records pertaining primarily to Christian and Evelyn Bakgaard's honeymoon trip in the Skoki area with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in 1956. Records include b&w prints and colour negatives re the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, ca.1956; letters from Ray Bagley, a…
Christian Buur Bakgaard, b.1930 in Hammerum, Denmark was a carpenter and general contractor.
Evelyn May Bakgaard (née Rieger), b.1924 Delia, Alberta, d.2003 Calgary, Alberta, attended Delia High School with her twin sister Alice, graduating with honours in 1942. Evelyn attended the Edmonton Normal School, the University of Alberta and the University of Victoria, B.C. Evelyn's first teaching position was at Haven School near Beaverlodge, Alberta and was followed by a number of rural teaching positions from 1946 to 1957. After 14 years of teaching, Evelyn retired in order to devote her attention to her children and her parents.
Evelyn married Christian Buur Bakgaard in 1953 and in the summer of 1956 they took a belated honeymoon to the Skoki area with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. Evelyn and Christian were both novice horseriders and the Skoki trip was their only trail ride.
Evelyn and Christian Bakgaard were divorced in 1983.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of records pertaining primarily to Christian and Evelyn Bakgaard's honeymoon trip in the Skoki area with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in 1956. Records include b&w prints and colour negatives re the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, ca.1956; letters from Ray Bagley, a staff member of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, 1955 and 1956; Trail Riders bulletin, brochures, and an annotated map, 1955-1957.
Fonds consists of administrative records in the form of correspondence, minutes, judging files, evaluations, grant applications, financial records and other, 1970-1995; newsletters, 1975-1977; programs and posters, 1970-1979; and also records pertaining to the Alberta Winter Games, 1976; and the So…
ca.1 m of textual records. -- 60 photographs: 15 prints, 45 negatives.
History / Biographical
The Banff Figure Skating Club, est.1970, promotes figure skating skills in children. Program involves professional instructors, testing, events, etc. The club is affiliated with the Canadian Figure Skating Association and is successor to the Figure Skating Club of Banff.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of administrative records in the form of correspondence, minutes, judging files, evaluations, grant applications, financial records and other, 1970-1995; newsletters, 1975-1977; programs and posters, 1970-1979; and also records pertaining to the Alberta Winter Games, 1976; and the Southern Alberta Figure Skating sub-section competition, 1970. Photographs are primarily colour and relate to Club events and members. Included are 2 signed b&w portraits of Brian Orser and Brian Boitano.
Fonds includes: I. Administrative files, 1949-1974, 8 cm; including minutes, correspondence and general files. II. Ski meets, 1962, 1967-1973, 12.5 cm; pertaining mainly to the International Intercollegiate Ski Meet. III. Financial records, 1963-1973, 6.5 cm. IV. Other, 1953-1973, 1980, 16 items.
The Banff Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies was established in 1931 as the Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies with the support of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The club promoted alpine and nordic skiing for pleasure and sport through competitions, training and facilities. The Talewag was the official bulletin of the Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies which published articles and images related to skiing in the Canadian Rockies. More recently, the organization has emphasized cross-country activities.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes: I. Administrative files, 1949-1974, 8 cm; including minutes, correspondence and general files. II. Ski meets, 1962, 1967-1973, 12.5 cm; pertaining mainly to the International Intercollegiate Ski Meet. III. Financial records, 1963-1973, 6.5 cm. IV. Other, 1953-1973, 1980, 16 items.
Fonds consists of minutes of annual meetings and executive meetings from the organization's establishment by Banff sportswomen in 1931. Meetings pertain primarily to events, competitions and policy.
Fonds consists of minutes of annual meetings and executive meetings from the organization's establishment by Banff sportswomen in 1931. Meetings pertain primarily to events, competitions and policy.
The Banff Tennis Club, established in 1926, included local and summer temporary residents and played at various times on their own courts, at the Banff Springs Hotel and on public courts. The club executive organized competitions, raised funds and established policy.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of minutes, 1926-1961, membership lists, 1950-1961 correspondence, 1933-1961, and financial records, 1933-1963.
Banff Winter Carnival photographs, 1950s, are mainly publicity photographs and order proofs by British Photographic Laboratories (Bill Gibbons); some by Alpine Films. Content includes Carnival Queen contests, parades, activities, including masquerade ball, other. Textual records of the Winter Spor…
ca.350 photographs : prints. -- 18 textual records
History / Biographical
Banff Winter Carnival, also known as Winter Sports of the Canadian Rockies, was the first post-war winter sports programme held in Banff, Alberta. The organization had Banff directors, Calgary directors and Directors-at-large from Alberta and outside the province. A wide variety of social and sports events took place under the organization's direction.
Scope & Content
Banff Winter Carnival photographs, 1950s, are mainly publicity photographs and order proofs by British Photographic Laboratories (Bill Gibbons); some by Alpine Films. Content includes Carnival Queen contests, parades, activities, including masquerade ball, other.
Textual records of the Winter Sports of the Canadian Rockies organization, 1945-1946, include minutes, reports, letters, news reports, press clippings, pamphlets, programmes, posters and leaflets. These records are in the form of a scrapbook and loose items. Many items pertain to involvement of Ethel "Tillie" Knight.
Fonds consists of three series: I. Textual records, 1973-1997; II. Photographs, ca.1960-1989; III. Moving Images, 1991-1992. Textual material consists of administrative and operational records in the form of files of reports, transcripts, letters, minutes of meetings, legal papers, lists, registra…
1.4 m textual records. -- ca.4500 photographs: ca.3100 prints, ca.1000 negatives, ca.400 transparencies. -- 2 video tape recordings: VHS
History / Biographical
Banff Winter Festival, successor to Banff Winter Carnival, was coordinated under the Chamber of Commerce until 1986. After that time it operated in association with the Recreation and Culture Department of what is now the Town of Banff. The Banff Winter Festival Society was founded in 1988 and has operated in conjunction with the Banff-Lake Louise Tourism Bureau since 1994.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three series: I. Textual records, 1973-1997; II. Photographs, ca.1960-1989; III. Moving Images, 1991-1992. Textual material consists of administrative and operational records in the form of files of reports, transcripts, letters, minutes of meetings, legal papers, lists, registrations, advertising, poster entries, handbills and print material. Photographs pertain mainly to festival events, activities, including the Festival Queen contest. Videos pertain to 1991 and 1992 Banff Winter Festivals.
Fonds includes seven series: I. Personal and professional, 1884-1959; II. Business and financial, ca.1910-1959; III. Professional photography, 1900-1955; IV. Writing, 1906-1957; V. Natural history, 1904-1954; VI. Other interests, 1913-1956; VII. Riggall family, ca.1865-1959. Personal and pro…
ca.13,100 photographs: ca.7080 prints, ca.5310 negatives, ca.700 transparencies. -- 9 photograph albums. -- ca.2 m textual records, print material and graphic records. -- 33 cartographic records
History / Biographical
Frederick Herbert (Bert) Riggall, 1884-1959, was a mountain guide, outfitter, hunter, trapper, rancher, naturalist, photographer, writer and gunsmith/loader in southern Alberta. Born in 1884 at Gayton-le-Wold Grange, Lincolnshire, his family moved to Grimsby where his father was an auctioneer and, in 1905, served as Mayor. In England, Riggall was an athlete, avid sportsman and naturalist. He was exposed to alpine country on school holidays in Switzerland and, determined to visit Canada, left for North America in 1904.
Upon arriving in western Canada, Riggall worked for a year at Craighurst Farm near Calgary. There he met Dorothea (Dora) Williams, 1877-1951, an Irish Quaker ranch cook who had emigrated with her sister Anna in 1902. In 1905, Bert worked on the Correction Land Survey in southwestern Alberta and explored Waterton Lakes. Bert and Dora married in 1906 and until 1946 they homesteaded and ranched adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
Initially, Bert and partner Jack Hazzard built boats and guided fishing parties on Waterton Lakes. In 1909, with partner Cyril Watmough, the Riggalls began guiding and outfitting summer and fall hunting and fishing trips for numerous repeat clients, especially, after 1913, four Minneapolis, Minnesota families: Bovey, Crosby, Bennett and McKnight. Hunts involved Big Horn Sheep, goats, black and grizzly bears. Bert served as chief guide and Dora as camp cook. Prior to 1911, the Riggalls worked at Gloyne's oil camp and Oil City to supplement their income. In 1911, Bert and partner Cyril Watmough made a 1000 mile (1600 km) exploratory trip from Fort Steele, B.C. to the Yellowhead Pass and beyond. Following that trip, Riggall concentrated guiding activities on the continental divide as far north as the Highwood region, but primarily in the upper Oldman River Valley and Gap in the Livingstone Range. Their outfit grew to include numerous saddle and pack horses.
Of five children, only two daughters survived infancy. Kay Riggall (Russell), 1909-1984, and Doris (Babe) Riggall (Burton), 1910-1999, were both able riders, markswomen and packtrain workers. They accompanied their parents on summer back country trips starting in 1918. Bert Riggall was renowned for his knowledge of botany, geology, zoology, wilderness life and lore as well as literature and current affairs. He was especially endeared to his clients for his skill as a raconteur and campfire storyteller. He wrote articles for magazines such as: Arms and the Man, American Rifleman, Field and Stream and the Boone and Crockett Club's book: North American Big Game. Riggall was an accomplished semi-professional photographer who specialized in wildlife studies, panoramic landscapes, Dufaycolor and later Kodachrome transparencies. His photographs appear in Department of Interior Reports and other publications.
Bert's heart problems forced the Riggalls to move to Pincher Creek in 1947. Daughter Kay and son-in-law Andy Russell continued the packtrain and guiding business until 1960. After Dora's death, Bert experienced medical problems and lived with or close to Doris.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes seven series: I. Personal and professional, 1884-1959; II. Business and financial, ca.1910-1959; III. Professional photography, 1900-1955; IV. Writing, 1906-1957; V. Natural history, 1904-1954; VI. Other interests, 1913-1956; VII. Riggall family, ca.1865-1959.
Personal and professional series consists of diaries and notes, correspondence and personal papers.
Business and financial series consists of guiding and ranching records, gunsmithing, shooting and loading records; and legal and financial records.
Professional photography series consists of standard photographs, panoramas, transparencies and textual records
Writing series contains manuscripts, published magazines, book outlines, newspaper articles and letters to the editor
Natural history series contains bird and plant records, and other natural history papers
Other interests series consist of clippings, annotated books and collected material
Riggall family series contains Bert and Dora Riggall family papers and photographs, Williams family photographs, Frederick W. and Fanny Riggall papers and photographs, and Allan Riggall papers and photographs. Negatives and transparencies pertain to Andy Russell as a young man with Bert Riggall.
Notes
Some transparencies in V110 Dick Russell are marked Andy Russell, some marked 64 dup; V110 - original transparencies have full set of duplicates (2 sets were made, 1 for Dick Russell and the other is part of this accession)