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 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at…
File consists of 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at the snowshoe tramp for the Banff Winter Carnival (1919-1920); snapshots from a trip to Big Bend (1930); Norman Sanson's 1000th ascent of Sulphur Mountain in 1931; class photographs from the Mountain School (1932, 1935); various trips with Carl Rungius, including Lake McArthur and Lake O'Hara (1933), Ottawa (1945), and the Laurentians (1949); a trip to the Panama Canal (1933); miscellaneous photographs of school events (including the Alma Mater Society election that resulted in Dorothy being the first female president) of Dorothy and friends at Queen's University (1938-1941); the Swedish Legation in Ottawa (1946-1950); and photographs of Frank Kaquitts and his artwork (1963).
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the backside of the print.
V75 / I / PA -193 : Includes an accompanying list identifying everyone in the class photograph (Dorothy attended the Mountain School as a young child).
V75 / I / PA -239 to 247 : includes handwritten notes regarding Frank Kaquitts. Dorothy originally filed these images with M521 / I / A / 10 ([Indigenous] Story Material).
File consists of 1 album comprised of 55 black and white and colour photographs, 15 x 9 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's visits to "the Ranch" in High River. File documents various animals (horses, dogs), scenery, Christmas 1951, the family feeding cattle, horseback riding, picni…
1 album (55 photographs : b&w and col. ; 15 x 9 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1 album comprised of 55 black and white and colour photographs, 15 x 9 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's visits to "the Ranch" in High River. File documents various animals (horses, dogs), scenery, Christmas 1951, the family feeding cattle, horseback riding, picnics, the High River rodeo, branding and barn warming, artwork, and family and friends (particularly Uncle Kenneth and Doreen).
Notes
Photographs are bound between two pieces of wood that are inscribed with "Memo" on the front and various symbols and with DHW (Dorothy Hope Wardle) on the back. Everything is bound together by a leather strap.
Other photographs in V75 / I / PD - 3 refer to Bull Creek Ranch in High River which could possibly be the same ranch as documented in this album.
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board o…
109 photographs : b&w and col. ; 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board of Canada portrait of James Wardle), and sports and leisure (e.g. canoeing, golf). File also includes photographs of Carl Rungius (on his birthday in 1954), Betty Ormond in Peru (with a message addressed to "Dorrie" written on the back of the print), graduation photograph of James Wardle from Queen's (c.1912), and travel photographs from the United States in 1948 (New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (1952). Notable places the photographs depict include Banff (including Banff Train Station), the Great Divide, St. Lawrence River (the Wardle family had a cottage here), Sunshine trail, Mt. Athabasca, Columbia Icefields, Lake O'Hara, Montreal, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Paris (France), Ghost River, Ottawa, Peru, Lake Minnewanka, Elk Island, and Maligne Lake.
Notes
Most (but not all) photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the photograph, when it was taken, and where.
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks,…
11.5 cm of textual records (32 x 42 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks, 1743-1860 (1943); four booklets related to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies (1934-1950); a booklet titled "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" (1928); an assortment of recipes; "The Margaret P. Hess Collection" booklet published by the University of Calgary (1977) and a related Calgary Herald newspaper clipping (1986); one Carl Rungius postcard; and six miscellaneous postcards depicting a former school teacher of Leette Wardle (1911), James Wardle at the Cave and Basin (1920), the Wardles in San Francisco (n.d.), two unidentified men (n.d.), and visitors to the Banff Springs Hotel (n.d.).
Notes
Book of Common Prayer inscribed with: “Martha Morey, November 4, 1872. New Westminster, BC. From her mother.” It belonged to James Wardle's mother.
The Pocket Cook Book contains annotations and written notes tucked in among the pages of the book.
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies booklets kept because the Wardles participated in trail rides and there are photos/mentions of James and Dorothy, and possibly Leette.
The "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" booklet contains a photograph print between pages 32 and 33.
Some of the postcards are annotated on the back, specifically the postcard depicting the Banff Springs Hotel which is addressed to Dorothy.
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 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to…
16 cm of textual records (9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to slides (both Dorothy and her mother, Leette).
Notes
While traveling in Scotland in 1952, the Wardle family visited Banff.
Some notebooks have loose notes tucked inside. One notebook from 1957 has a related (about Scotland) newspaper clipping tucked inside it.
File consists of 8 cm of textual records (40.5 x 60 cm or smaller) and 25 photographs : b&w (20 x 25 cm or smaller). Records include newspaper clippings, typed articles, research, correspondence, and photograph prints.
File pertains to Dorothy's freelance research, notes, original writing, and pub…
8 cm of textual records (40.5 x 60 cm or smaller); 25 photographs : b&w (20 x 25 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 8 cm of textual records (40.5 x 60 cm or smaller) and 25 photographs : b&w (20 x 25 cm or smaller). Records include newspaper clippings, typed articles, research, correspondence, and photograph prints.
File pertains to Dorothy's freelance research, notes, original writing, and published articles from The Albertan and The Calgary Herald primarily in the 1960s, and short stories for Reader's Digest in 1933-1934. File documents various people, places, and events significant to Banff, including: the old days, Banff Indian Days, Mountain School, Banff Centre, Banff namesake in Scotland, the teahouses at Lake Louise, hot springs, Indigenous regalia and ceremonies, local guides, and Silver City. File also includes personal notes/stories and correspondence between Dorothy and her parents, and several articles from the Banff Crag and Canyon. Notable people include Cliff and Beverly White, Walking Buffalo (Tatanga Mani, George McLean), George Paris, Margaret Greenham, Ike Mills, and Nora Drummond-Davies.
Notes
Correspondence between Dorothy and Mrs. Margaret Greenham, dated April 4, 1942.
Correspondence between Dorothy and C.R. Walrod from the museum in Kelowna, dated November 4, 1953.
Correspondence between Dorothy and her parents, dated March 9, 1961.
M521 / I / A / 10 : title on folder changed to [Indigenous]. Original title was "Indian Story Material."
M521 / I / A / 10 : photographs of Frank Kaquitts were originally filed in this folder (see: V75).
M521 / I / A / 16 : title on folder changed to [Indigenous Ceremonial Regalia]. Original title was "Indian Ceremonial Costume."
Most of the newspaper clippings are glued on a piece of paper like an unbound scrapbook.
Many of the newspaper clippings and other textual records were taped or glued together, and some of the photograph prints are damaged by ink. May present conservation issues in the future.
Acid-free archival paper was sporadically used to protect prints.
Should consider digitizing before further degradation.
File consists of 1 album comprised of 74 black and white and colour photographs, 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's motor trip across eastern Canada and the United States in July 1951. File documents the family's travels to Ottawa; Quebec City; Fredericton, University of…
1 album (74 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1 album comprised of 74 black and white and colour photographs, 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's motor trip across eastern Canada and the United States in July 1951. File documents the family's travels to Ottawa; Quebec City; Fredericton, University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, Fundy National Park; Charlottetown (PEI); Cape Breton Island, Cabot Trail, Halifax, and Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia); Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Photos include scenery, buildings, and the Wardles in front of monuments and other landmarks, as well as a print of the Citadel in Halifax with an accompanying description.
Notes
Album was a Christmas gift from Dorothy to her parents. It is signed: "To Mom and Dad, who helped to make a wonderful trip even more so with love from Dorie, Christmas 1951."
Album is also labelled "The Three Wardles Tour the Maritimes, July 1951."
Album is red with "Photo Album" written in gold on the front, it is bound with a purple tassel.
Most photographs are captioned.
The last page is signed: "The end of another wonderful trip together!" with a drawing of the family sitting in their car.