Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse …
25 m of textual records. -- ca.46,000 photographs : prints, albums, postcards, cased photographs, transparencies, negatives. -- 178 sound recordings : audio tape reels, audio tape cassettes. -- 6 motion pictures (and film strips)
History / Biographical
Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929.
Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney First Nations. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney First Nations. Catharine also supported causes related to multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died in Banff in 1979.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse families, Series III: White and Curren families. Within Series I, there are four Sub-series: Series: A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers; B. Peter Whyte papers; C. Peter and Catharine Whyte papers accessioned after 2017; D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings.
Series consists of seven sub-series: 1. Interviews, conversations, proceedings, etc., 1950-1975, 40 items; pertain to or involve John B. H. Dunphy, James White, Frances and Murray Adaskin, Campbell family, Verne Castella, Dorothy Whyte, George Encil, Edward Feuz, Ethel Fulcher, Mrs. David Henderson…
Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, and Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, artists, outdoor enthusiasts, travellers, philanthropists, Banff, Alberta. See descriptions for the Catharine Robb Whyte papers and photographs and the Peter Whyte papers and photographs, for biographical details on Peter and Catharine Whyte.
Scope & Content
Series consists of seven sub-series:
1. Interviews, conversations, proceedings, etc., 1950-1975, 40 items; pertain to or involve John B. H. Dunphy, James White, Frances and Murray Adaskin, Campbell family, Verne Castella, Dorothy Whyte, George Encil, Edward Feuz, Ethel Fulcher, Mrs. David Henderson, Arlene Voorbies, Tom Javanaugh, Mr. Neilson, Bill Legarde, George K. K. Link, Doris Burditt, Ruth Gorman, Nick Morant, Jimmy Simpson, Fred Stiles, Peter Whyte, Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Mary Vaux, C. M. Walker, Sam Ward, Cis Ward, Jon Whyte, Flossie Currie, Pearl Moore, Edmee Reid, Dell Brewster, Sydney and Doris Vallance, Moore family, Painter family, Gilbert and Frances Roddy.
2. Family conversations and performances, 1951- 1962, 11 items; pertain to or involve Robb family, Russell Robb III, Doris Burditt, Edith Morse Robb, Jon Whyte, Frances James, Bill McKenzie, Dave Whyte.
3. Meetings and speeches, 1956-1973, 5 items; pertain to political speeches and meetings, organizations, Indigenous peoples.
4. Conversations with Stoney Nakoda First Nations, Banff Indian Days, 1950-1973, 27 items; pertain to or involve Paul Amos, Bill Peyto, David Bearspaw, Johnny Bearspaw, Paul Francis, Noah Goat, Frank Kaquitts, Tom McCullough, Tom Kaquitts, George McLean, Peter Whyte, Dorothy Whyte, Jacob Twoyoungman, Hanson Bearspaw, Joe Kaquitts, Tom Simeon, Bill McLean, Percy Wildward, Catharine Whyte.
6. Broadcasts: a. Re Canadian Rockies, 1951-1968, 18 items; pertain to Banff personalities, local and regional events, Rundle Memorial United Church, rescue work, music, historical broadcasts; b. Miscellaneous broadcasts, 1951-1968, 59 items; pertain to politics, sports, royal visits and royalty, art, Hawaiian music, etc.