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.
Ambrotype in case. Case covered with black coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet and an adhesive sticker that reads “Catharine Newbury Robb.” The Ambrotype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat.
Ambrotype in wooden case. Case covered with black coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet and an adhesive sticker that reads “E.S. Morse.” The Ambrotype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat
Ambrotype in black coated paper case. The covers of the case feature a simple rectilinear debossed boarder. Interior of front cover padded with red velvet. An adhesive sticker has been placed on velvet padding that reads “E.S. Morse.” Padded portion has come loose from the front cover and may fall out when Ambrotype is viewed. Cover glass is held in the case by a decorative brass-coloured foil boarder. Image is framed by an oval brass-coloured metal mat. Mat feature a small weave like motif.
Case contains 1 b&w daguerreotype. Daguerreotype documents a young man seated for a portrait in a studio setting. Young man has been identified as E.S. Morse.
V683 / IV / A : Robb / Morse Family Personal Series
Reference Code
V683 / IV / A / PT - 33
Date Range
[ca. 1840 - 1860]
Physical Description
Cased Photograph : 1 b&w Daguerreotype --
Scope & Content
Case contains 1 b&w daguerreotype. Daguerreotype documents a young man seated for a portrait in a studio setting. Young man has been identified as E.S. Morse.
Daguerreotype in brown coated paper case. Case covers feature a stylized foliate embossing. Interiors of both covers have gold embossed frames. Interior of front cover is covered with velvet padding which is also decorated with a foliate debossed design. Cover glass is held in case decorative brass-coloured foil boarder. An adhesive sticker has been placed on the top left corner that reads “E.S.Morse.” Image is framed by an oval brass-coloured metal mat. Mat feature a small foliate motif. Mat has text stamped on the bottom right corner that reads “G.M. HOWE. PORTLAND ME.”
Speeches and letters written by Patrick Robb. School report and medical questionaire. -- Patrick Robb is the father of Russell Robb Sr. and husband of Kate Robb.
Speeches and letters written by Patrick Robb. School report and medical questionaire. -- Patrick Robb is the father of Russell Robb Sr. and husband of Kate Robb.
Cased tin type in black coated paper case. Tin type is framed in a brass coloured, decorative frame. Inside of the front cover has a design is debossed in red velvet. A red adhesive sticker that reads “Robb” is found in the front cover. Front and back of case feature an architectural and floral design in relief.
Daguerreotype removed from case housed in cover plate and enclosed with brass coloured foil. The image is framed under an oval, brass coloured metal mat. A sticker with “?” written on it has been adhered to the cover glass in the top left frame. Copper plate can be seen on the reverse side.
Ambrotype in wooden case. Case covered with black coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief and a gold embossed frame around the designs. The inside cover features a design debossed in green velvet. The Ambrotype is framed in an oval brass coloured, decorative metal mat.
Daguerreotype in wooden case covered in brown coated paper. The front and back covers feature a vegetal motif design in relief. Inside the front cover is a floral design debossed in velvet. The interior portions of the case are bordered with a gold embossed frame.