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 seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and S…
6 m of textual records and printed material. -- ca.6100 photographs : prints, negatives, transparencies. -- 1 photograph album (49 prints). -- 29 motion pictures. -- 5 sound recordings
History / Biographical
Andy Russell, 1915-2005, was a trapper, guide and outfitter, writer, photographer, cinematographer, lecturer and environmental advocate in the Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.
Russell was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and spent his childhood on a ranch in the foothills near Pincher Creek. He became a skilled horseman, hunter, fisherman and trapper, and, in 1936, was employed by Bert Riggall, a pioneer guide and outfitter of wilderness pack trips in the southern Rockies since 1907. He became Riggall's partner in 1939 and took over the business when Riggall retired in 1946. Andy Russell and Kathleen (Kay) Riggall married in 1938 and raised five children at their ranch bordering Waterton Lakes National Park, where family businesses included guiding, saddlehorses and ranching. Children are: Richard "Dick" H. (b.1938); Andrew Charles "Charlie" (b.1941); Harold John "John" (b.1944); Hugh Gordon Riggall "Gordon" (b.1947); Lorenda Anne "Anne" (b.1952).
Russell continued as a renowned guide and outfitter with a wealthy repeat clientele until he was forced out of guiding by 1960 with the advance of the oil industry concerns upon wilderness areas in southern Alberta and British Columbia. Russell began to write nature articles in 1945 and after 1960 concentrated upon writing, photography, film making, lecturing and ranching. He wrote for numerous magazines and newspapers, produced radio broadcasts, and, using colour motion picture photography, developed programs on wildlife and wilderness habitat research for live public performances. Russell's films launched his career as an author of popular wildlife and mountain culture books, which included Grizzly Country. In later years, he was an active writer, consultant and advocate of wilderness and environmental management and received numerous awards and honours, including Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and Sons, royalties and lecturing); III. Writing, broadcasting and public appearances series, 1908-1990 (papers and photographs pertaining to writing, book projects, columns, broadcasts, reviews, advertising, promotion and other); IV. Photography and cinematography series, 1909-1990 (details below); V. Wildlife study and conservation activities series, 1945-[198-]; VI. Other activities series, 1931-[199-] (politics, interviews, information files); VII. Russell family series, [1867]-1983.
Photography and cinematography series consists of: Riggall/Russell guiding activity photographs, 1909-1962, ca.280 items; Andy Russell and Sons Production Ltd / Andy Russell professional photographs and films, ca.1940- ca.1990, ca.4200 photographs (mainly transparencies), 28 motion pictures, accompanied by some textual and printed items; personal and family photographs, 1916-1989, ca.1550 items; collected photographs, ca.1940-197-, ca.75 items. Professional photography and cinematography primarily arose from field work by Andy, Dick and Charlie Russell and pertains mainly to flora, fauna and landscape of the Canadian Rockies in continental divide region, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.
Motion pictures, ca.1950-1974, include original film "Grizzly Country" by Dick, Charlie and Andy Russell, produced by Evan J. Anton, ca.1969, copy print of same; also unedited wildlife and landscape footage of Waterton area, Yukon and British Columbia.
Sound recordings are interviews with Andy Russell, [ca.1970]-1988.
The Archives General File is an artificial collection of accessions which do not constitute separate fonds or collections or cannot be placed within existing fonds or collections. Included in the collection are textual records of many types, such as manuscripts, reports, letters, diaries, speeches…
57 cm textual records. -- 50 cm of photographs : prints. -- 189 photographs (15 framed prints, 51 transparencies, 79 negatives; 44 copy negatives). -- 3 photograph albums (139 prints). -- 6 motion pictures. -- 9 sound recordings
Scope & Content
The Archives General File is an artificial collection of accessions which do not constitute separate fonds or collections or cannot be placed within existing fonds or collections. Included in the collection are textual records of many types, such as manuscripts, reports, letters, diaries, speeches, poetry, plans and others; photographs in the form of prints, negatives, transparencies, albums, postcards, etc.; sound recorded interviews and programmes; and motion pictures. Material pertains broadly to the Banff area and many other areas within the Archives collecting mandate.
Notable items include: Walter Wilcox letter; George Kinney report; interviews with Bill Round and Edward Feuz; original copy of Treaty Number Seven; Mary Schaffer material, including letters, notes, photograph and report; reports on the Nakimu Caves; film pertaining to Banff Winter Carnival; Georgia Engelhard letters and photos; plans for buildings and structures; George Noble photograph; W. S. Park photograph.
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 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.