Fonds consists of three sous-fonds: M573 / V797 / S60.
M573 consists of three series, 26 cm of textual records, 1924-2005. Series I: Personal Papers, 19 cm, ca.1930-2005 (including notebooks and drafts of various talks that Jean delivered and records related to her participation in the Trail Rider…
26 cm of textual records.-- 109 photographs (42 prints, 67 lantern slides). -- 2 sound recordings.
History / Biographical
Jean Alexandra Hembroff was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 5, 1908 to Walter B. Hembroff (d. 1945) and Sarah Jane Hembroff (d.1952). Jean was accepted to the MacPhail School of Music and Dramatic Art at the University of Minnesota, from which she graduated in 1927. She returned to Winnipeg to begin teaching courses in speech arts and drama. To establish herself, she first volunteered as the "story lady" at the Williams Avenue Public Library and quickly became known as an excellent speaker sought by many different organizations. She taught at St. Mary's Academy and the Evening Institute at the University of Manitoba, as well as offered private sessions. Many of her students used the skills they learned from Jean as they entered radio, television, politics, and business. Jean was also very active in organizing and adjucating Speech Arts festivals in Manitoba, often going to inaccessible places to give workshops. Her teaching, broadcasting, adjucating, coaching, and speaking career spanned more than 50 years.
Jean was hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway's promotions manager to give presentations and broadcast interviews across Canada and the United States. In 1937, Jean joined the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and participated in their summer trail ride in the same year. For that year's issue of the Trail Rider's Bulletin Jean wrote an article - and became the first woman to ever do so. In 1938, during her lecture titled "Trail Riding in the Rockies" on January 18, 1938 at the Royal Alexandra Hotel, Jean met John David (Jack) MacDonald. Jack and Jean were married on June 18, 1938, and the couple had one son, Bruce Walter James MacDonald (August 28, 1946-August 25, 2016).
Jean participated in several trail rides with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Sky Line Trail, and produced articles reflecting her experiences. Jean loved to travel and visited places all around Canada and the United States, Borneo, Tangier, Montevideo, Stockholm, New Delhi, and Tonga. At the age of 102, Jean passed away on February 2, 2011 and is buried in Winnipeg.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds: M573 / V797 / S60.
M573 consists of three series, 26 cm of textual records, 1924-2005. Series I: Personal Papers, 19 cm, ca.1930-2005 (including notebooks and drafts of various talks that Jean delivered and records related to her participation in the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Sky Line Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, particularly 1937-1939). Series II: Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings, 4 cm, 1924-2000 (including correspondence with John Murray Gibbon, former students, and attendees at various talks, as well as newspaper articles that Jean wrote about various subjects and articles of her achievements). Series III: Collected Materials and Ephemera, 3 cm, ca.1930-1950 (including a variety of collected poems and ephemera, as well as a copy of The Beaver Magazine from 1940, for which Jean wrote an article titled "On the Trail of Sir George").
V797 consists of two series, 24.5 cm of visual records, ca.1928-1939. Series I: Photograph Prints, 3 cm, ca.1928-1939 (includes personal photographs of Jean and her family and friends as well as photographs of Jean and Jack's visit to Lake Louise in 1939). Series II: Lantern Slides, 21.5 cm, ca.1937-1939 (Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies official ride of 1937 to Mt. Assiniboine; Sky Line Hikers of the Canadian Rockies official ride of 1939 to Ptarmigan Valley and Skoki; collection of trail ride songs).
S60 consists of two sound recordings, 1 cm, 2004 and 2007 (Winnipeg at Christmas, narrated by Jean, broadcasted on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Item consists of 1 photograph album by the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to ACC camps and climbs that took place from 1912-1913 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Lake Louise, Vermillion Pass, Lake O'Hara, Mt. Robson, and Banff town areas, and includes black and white photogr…
1 album (170 photographs : b&w and col. ; 31.9 x 25.6 cm)
Scope & Content
Item consists of 1 photograph album by the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to ACC camps and climbs that took place from 1912-1913 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Lake Louise, Vermillion Pass, Lake O'Hara, Mt. Robson, and Banff town areas, and includes black and white photographs, all of which are annotated. A black leather album, it has "PHOTOGRAPHS" stamped into the top left corner of the front cover with "1912 and 1913" written in white ink below it.
File pertains to 61 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 2 to December 27, 1943. Topics include Catharine's activities while Pete is posted in Vancouver, day to day life, news pertaining to the war, Pete's work as part of the RCAF, weather, military pa…
1.9 cm of textual records (102 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 61 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 2 to December 27, 1943. Topics include Catharine's activities while Pete is posted in Vancouver, day to day life, news pertaining to the war, Pete's work as part of the RCAF, weather, military parades and concerts, going to the movies and live shows [mostly operas and the ballet], radio programs [including operas, news, sports, and a program called Quiz Kids], visits from friends, cleaning and household chores, moving back to Victoria in mid-August, painting/sketching, visiting various parks around Victoria, events and people in Concord, various holidays [both Canadian and American], Pete getting posted to Tofino in late August, details pertaining to the various modes of travel around Vancouver Island [5 hours by sailboat from Vancouver to Victoria; 2 days by train and boat from Victoria to Tofino], details on the different kinds of rations, Catharine spending September in Banff while Pete looks for a house in Tofino [time in Banff includes upkeep on the house, visiting Mount Temple Chalet, sketching, visits with friends, and Pete arriving for his 2-week leave], wildlife, moving to Tofino and getting settled [Pete worked at an Air Force base outside of town, but spent his nights at home with Catharine], walks on the beaches near town, new routines and friends, Christmas in Tofino, and travelleing to Banff for New Years Eve.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Japanese people used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly hand-written, some typed. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters written on hotel letterhead.
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.
A few letters have red numbers written at the top of the page from an unknown project.
116-40 includes a sketch of the Tofino apartment floorplan.
File pertains to 81 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 3 to December 29, 1957. 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
1957
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 141
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
they look at the scenery but just drive and don\
bother about speed limitst either. of the 4, there were 2
2.4 cm of textual records (128 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 81 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 3 to December 29, 1957. 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], seeing off Carl Rungius to New York, going to Edmonton for a cataract operation on Peter's right eye [August 23] - Catharine's time in Edmonton mostly consisted of sitting with Peter in the hospital, running errands in the city, and answering letters [she stayed at the Corona Hotel], starting construction of eventual Buffalo Block [consisting of three stores along Buffalo St. and a restaurant on the second floor], concerns regarding Edith's health, a visit to Concord from mid-October to mid-November [travelled by train], a second visit to Edmonton in December for Peter's eye, putting together their annual Christmas card, and other Christmas activities. Some letters are typed and some hand-written. Also includes one postcard.
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.
File pertains to 55 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 13, 1953 to June 27, 1954. Topics include a trip to Hawaii from December to March [includes mainland travel between Banff and California by train and travel to and from Hawaii by boat], Christm…
1.7 cm of textual records (114 pages ; 21 x 27 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 55 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 13, 1953 to June 27, 1954. Topics include a trip to Hawaii from December to March [includes mainland travel between Banff and California by train and travel to and from Hawaii by boat], Christmas and New Years Eve activities, travelling around to different parts of the island, meeting with other vacationers from Banff, going straight to Edmonton [from California by train] to see Peter's doctor about new glasses, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, weather, events and people in Concord, Peter's mother Annie being in the hospital, the deaths of Jean Caird in April and Belmore Browne in May, a second trip to Edmonton for Peter's eyes [during this trip he is admitted to the hospital for depression, possibly brought on by stress], Annie moving from Banff to Vancouver, and Peter receiving psychiatric treatment in Calgary. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters hand-written, some typed. 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.
Many letters written during the Hawaii trip, as well as during stays in Calgary and Edmonton, are written on hotel letterheads.
134 - 04 includes sketches of the location of the apartment they stay in in Honolulu and of the layout of their apartment.
File pertains to 100 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 20 to December 29, 1951. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, hockey games, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, Catharin…
1.7 cm of textual records (136 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 100 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 20 to December 29, 1951. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, hockey games, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, Catharine's uncle John passing away, installing a suite in Annie White's house, the deaths of Jack W. Brewster and Allan Mather on the same day [June 12], camping/sketching trips [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Yoho National Park], Banff Indian Days, installing a new bridge over the Spray River, a roadtrip to Lethbridge in August for a ceremony to make Governor General Ciscount Alexander an honourary chief [ceremony held in Standoff], Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillips' tour of Canada, the deaths and funerals of Colonel Phillip Moore and Hal Waterhouse in November, making up the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas activities and parties. Also includes postcards and note cards.
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.
File pertains to 115 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 4 to December 29, 1946. 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…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 115 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 4 to December 29, 1946. 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, the Winter Carnival, cleaning and household chores, Catharine working with the Red Cross and instructing a weekly art class, skiing on Sulphur between the Upper Hot Springs and the river, Pete making posters for various organizations, community events and programs, painting, gardening and yard word, errand trips to Calgary, judging an art show at the Auditorium sposored by the Horner Co. in June, Catharine's brother Russ and his family coming to visit in late June-late July [included stays at Skoki, Bow Lake, Lake O'Hara, and Temple], the Governor General touring Banff in July, Banff Indian Days, driving up to Sunshine Lodge and beyond to the edge of Porcupine Valley as part of a survey crew with Fern Brewster, the Calgary Stampede, day trips around Banff National Park for sketching and picnics, trips to Bow Lake and Temple Mountain [usually for a week at a time], matters pertaining to the store, moving a shed from behind Annie White's house closer to the river [used to store cars and later a stagecoach], Catharine going to Concord for a month [mid-November to mid-December], making the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas/holiday activities and parties [including Pete and Catharine's first Christmas tree since before the war].
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoplesand people of colour (especially black people) used throughout is outdated and offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters written on lodge letterhead.
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 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
sending them to Jean to read . Alec sent us the
loveliest calender of Scoth mo.untain scenery. \Ye have
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…
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.