Fonds consists of notes, correspondence and articles pertaining to the Astley family and early history of Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka areas. Fonds includes correspondence between Willoughby Astley and J. A. Jaffary of the Provincial Library, Alberta, 1928-1929, re place names in the Lake Louise…
Willoughby John Astley, 1859-1948, came to Banff in 1888 and built the Beach House Hotel at Lake Minnewanka. He moved to Lake Louise in 1889. Brother, Charles D'Oyley Astley, 1849-1937, and Lucy Ann Astley continued to operate the hotel until 1907 when they retired to Banff. The hotel was destroyed as part of power development at Lake Minnewanka, ca.1912.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of notes, correspondence and articles pertaining to the Astley family and early history of Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka areas. Fonds includes correspondence between Willoughby Astley and J. A. Jaffary of the Provincial Library, Alberta, 1928-1929, re place names in the Lake Louise area; scrapbook of clippings re World War I, including a list of Banff men who enlisted; Beach House Hotel guest register, 1890-1906, recording name and residence of guest, and occasionally record of fish caught; Astley family photographs, ca.1886-1930s. Photographs pertain to fishing and boating on Lake Minnewanka; Beach House Hotel and Lady of the Lake steam launch; Devil's Canyon, Bankhead and Banff; views of avalanche clearing in Roger's Pass by Byron Harmon. Includes one panorama view of group at Lake Minnewanka.
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 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Record…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 30 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Records were filed in an envelope that was titled "Book Notes."
Notable people include James Wardle, J.B. Harkin, Pat Brewster, Arthur Unwin, Dr. Brett, Norman Sanson, and Bill Peyto, among others. Notable places and topics include the organization of the Department of the Interior, the Banff-Windemere Highway, Rocky Mountain Park and Park Wardens, Kootenay National Park fires, coal and precious metal mines (e.g. Bankhead, Silver City), trail riding and hiking, research about James Wardle and his accomplishments, Ya-Ha-Tinda, and various parks (e.g. Glacier, Revelstoke, Elk Island, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Other records include a handwritten letter to the Auld family in Scotland (cousins of Sheila Ritchie) with a story about Glenbow and a highland cow from Oban, Scotland; personal reflections on the Banff area and mountains in general; notes that Dorothy took while doing research at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Public Library; and a variety of newspaper clippings.
Notes
Includes request slips and stationary from the archives at the Whyte Museum.
Potentially includes a handwritten list of Dorothy's written works.
Newspaper clippings primarily from the Times Colonist, which is published in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the slips of paper are taped together. Was unable to remove them without damaging the materials. May present conservation issues in the future.
File consists 10.5 cm of textual records comprised of 15 bound notebooks, 11.5 x 20 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's personal calendar and expenses from 1983 until 2001. Records include 4 notebooks containing information about expenses, sent/received gifts to family and friends, and a note…
10.5 cm of textual records (14 volumes ; 11.5 x 20.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists 10.5 cm of textual records comprised of 15 bound notebooks, 11.5 x 20 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's personal calendar and expenses from 1983 until 2001. Records include 4 notebooks containing information about expenses, sent/received gifts to family and friends, and a notebook recording Dorothy's mileage; and 11 calendar notebooks, or "planning diaries," in which Dorothy recorded detailed information regarding her daily life, appointments, events, etc.
Notes
One notebook is monogrammed JMW, for James Morey Wardle (Dorothy's father). This notebook also includes some loose receipts and paper tucked inside.
One notebook is monogrammed DHW, for Dorothy Hope Wardle.
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 2.5 cm of textual records, 28 x 21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Christmas cards that were sent to the Wardle family from Peter and Catharine Whyte (c. 1951-c. 1968), Dean and Edith Robinson, and Carl Rungius (c.1938-c.1954). Records include a one-page typed biography of Peter…
2.5 cm of textual records (28 x 21.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 2.5 cm of textual records, 28 x 21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Christmas cards that were sent to the Wardle family from Peter and Catharine Whyte (c. 1951-c. 1968), Dean and Edith Robinson, and Carl Rungius (c.1938-c.1954). Records include a one-page typed biography of Peter Whyte and a handwritten letter tucked into one of the cards from the Whyte family (dated Jan. 22, 1967).
Notes
Each holiday greeting is written on a card made by Peter and Catharine Whyte, and Carl Rungius, respectively.
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy …
File consists of 8 cm of textual records, 65 x 40 cm or smaller. File pertains to the personal and professional records of the Wardle family, particularly James M. Wardle. Records include: birth certificates for each family member (James Morey Wardle, 1888; Leette (Roney) Wardle, 1889; and Dorothy Hope Wardle, 1919); James and Leette's marriage certificate from 1913; proof of age certificates and various notes on family (Roney) history; records pertaining to the family plot in the Old Banff Cemetery (including a photocopy of a blueprint plan of the cemetery grounds); records pertaining to the estates of James (d. 1971) and Leette (d. 1969); miscellaneous family items (including records about Dorothy's cousin Jack WIlliams who died overseas during World War II); photocopies of records pertaining to appointments and certificates for James (including his appointment to Deputy Minister of the Interior in 1935); and James' shares with the Alaska Yukon Pipeline (1966-1967). Records also include newspaper clippings (Banff Crag and Canyon, Calgary Herald) and various correspondence (related to the material) interspersed throughout.
M521 / II / A / 1 : Includes James Wardle's original birth certificate. In okay condition (some tears), currently in mylar. Consider digitizing.
M521 / II / A / 7 : The original shareholder certificate was ripped and then heavily taped back together. It is currently in mylar but could present issues in the future. Consider digitizing.
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amster…
28 cm of textual records (21 x 29.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amsterdam, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, France, Monaco, Scotland, Italy, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and various places in North America.
File consists of 20 cm of textual and financial records, 21.5 x 35 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy Wardle's financial recordkeeping from 1956 to 2002, with the bulk of the records from 1990 to 2000. Records include income tax records (mainly 1995-2000), property assessments (mainly 1984-200…
20 cm of textual records (21.5 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 20 cm of textual and financial records, 21.5 x 35 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy Wardle's financial recordkeeping from 1956 to 2002, with the bulk of the records from 1990 to 2000. Records include income tax records (mainly 1995-2000), property assessments (mainly 1984-2002), GST credit (mainly 1995-2002), Old Age Security income supplement (includes an insurance book from 1968-1969), annuities (includes newspaper clippings), insurance, investments and GICs, Bank of Montreal record books, and account information and cheques. Records mainly document Dorothy's finances after moving to Sidney, British Columbia. However, some records relate to her condo in Canmore.
Notes
Newspaper clippings include two articles from the Times Colonist (September 1992, August 1998) and an article from Maclean's (August 1998).
File consists of 3.5 cm of handwritten and typed correspondence, 21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to letters sent by Mrs. Helen Brett to Leette Wardle from 1935-1944. The letters mostly document the progress of the Wardles payment for a lease that they had with Mrs. Brett, but also includes…
3.5 cm of textual records (21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 3.5 cm of handwritten and typed correspondence, 21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to letters sent by Mrs. Helen Brett to Leette Wardle from 1935-1944. The letters mostly document the progress of the Wardles payment for a lease that they had with Mrs. Brett, but also includes local town gossip (including drama with Dr. Dean Robinson) and musings regarding the progress of the war (World War II). File also includes obituaries in the Banff Crag and Canyon for Helen Brett.
Notes
Helen Brett was married to Dr. Harry Brett, son of the founder of the Brett Sanitarium.