Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, …
ca. 7.9 metres of textual records -- ca. 274 maps -- 29 VHS tapes -- ca.15 discs with digital files -- 21 cassettes -- photographs -- oversized materials -- USB stick with 15 sldeshows
History / Biographical
Ben Gadd (1946-) is a retired naturalist, guide, geologist, instructor, freelance writer and award-winning author based in the Canadian Rockies.
Ben was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1946. He met his wife, Cia (Langdon) Gadd at Colorado College in 1965, and the couple married four weeks later. Ben and Cia had two sons, Will and Toby. Ben and his family relocated to Jasper in the late 1960s. Ben later attended the University of Lethbridge and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science in 1972.
Between 1976 and 1980, Ben taught classes at Mount Royal College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; he later taught additional classes at Grant MacEwan College and Lakeland College. From 1981, Ben also worked as a seasonal naturalist/guide for Parks Canada. Ben left Parks Canada in 1985 to start an independent naturalist guiding business with Cia based in Jasper and other parts of the Canadian Rockies, which the couple continued to operate for over two decades.
Ben published his best-known work, "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", through his publishing company Corax Press in 1986. The second edition of "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies" received multiple awards after its release in 1995. Ben's fiction book, "Raven's End" won the title of Best Canadian Rockies Book at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2001 and became a Canadian bestseller. Overall, Ben has authored or co-authored 11 books and received nearly one dozen awards for his achievements as a writer, researcher and guide.
Ben continued to lead guided hikes and school programs until his retirement in 2016.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, video and sound recordings, and other related material. Materials donated in 2024 include one USB stick containing
Notes
Ben Gadd fonds arrangement:
Series I : Personal records
- Subseries A : Travel guides and maps
- Subseries B : Education and early writings
- Subseries C : Personal interest files
- Subseries D : Other personal and collected
Series II : Research and publication records
- Subseries A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
- Subseries B : Other publications
Series III : Professional records
- Subseries A : Parks Canada Records
- Subseries B : Interpretive guiding
- Subseries C : Teaching records
- Subseries D : Other contracts and projects
Series IV : Legal and financial records
- Subseries A : Legal records
- Subseries B : Financial records
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.
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also …
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (121 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 121 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and Russell Robb Jr. and their early childhood years. Prints document Catharine and Russell in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends. Prints also relate to the late Robb twins, Edward and Frederick.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “C.+ R jr.” Album contains 104 pages (1 loose and 58 empty).
File consists of schedules, lists of images and photograph locations, and illustrations by artists Lonnie Springer and Deke Hammell. Materials in file were used in the creation of Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
Illustrations produced by Lonnie Springer, Deke Hammell
Date Range
2004
2007
Physical Description
0.3 cm of textual records -- 6 illustrations
Scope & Content
File consists of schedules, lists of images and photograph locations, and illustrations by artists Lonnie Springer and Deke Hammell. Materials in file were used in the creation of Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (185 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 185 b&w prints, tipped in, some pasted in, some captioned. Prints pertain to Catahrine Robb Whyte and her early life. Prints document Catharine in the Robb home, on the Robb grounds, and posed for portraits alone and with family and friends.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “Catherine.” Sticker on album spine reads “Catherine #1.” Album contains 104 pages.
File consists of research notes, sample drafts, photo lists and other materials collected or produced by Ben Gadd while working on illustrations for his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of research notes, sample drafts, photo lists and other materials collected or produced by Ben Gadd while working on illustrations for his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of research notes, illustration drafts and printed sample pages from geological publications. Contents were used as reference material during the production of fossil and other geological illustrations for Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of research notes, illustration drafts and printed sample pages from geological publications. Contents were used as reference material during the production of fossil and other geological illustrations for Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of hand-drawn illustrations and descriptions pertaining to insect species in the Canadian Rockies. Contents were used during the production of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
ca.54 drawings : illustration, marker ; 27.5 x 21 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of hand-drawn illustrations and descriptions pertaining to insect species in the Canadian Rockies. Contents were used during the production of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
Notes
Illustrations in file processed as textual records to maintain original order
File consists of research notes, scanned sample pages and illustrations pertaining to various mammal species and their footprints. Materials were collected or produced by Ben Gadd as reference material for his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of research notes, scanned sample pages and illustrations pertaining to various mammal species and their footprints. Materials were collected or produced by Ben Gadd as reference material for his book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies.
File consists of drawings produced by Will Gadd as a child, ca.1968-1972; and caricatures and other drawings, possibly by Ben Gadd, from the same time period.
File consists of drawings produced by Will Gadd as a child, ca.1968-1972; and caricatures and other drawings, possibly by Ben Gadd, from the same time period.
Material Details
Illustrations consist of different media, including graphite pencils, pens, pencil crayons, markers and paint.
Robb Family Album – titled “Miscellany,” [ca. 1900 - ca. 1915]. Album contains 340 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs pertain to Houses, farms, family and friends, ruins, army parade, outdoor gardens and scenery, pictures of house interiors, furniture and plants, Sailboats, ladi…
Photograph Album : 1 photograph album (340 photographs; b&w, cyanotypes ). --
Scope & Content
Robb Family Album – titled “Miscellany,” [ca. 1900 - ca. 1915]. Album contains 340 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs pertain to Houses, farms, family and friends, ruins, army parade, outdoor gardens and scenery, pictures of house interiors, furniture and plants, Sailboats, ladies sewing, picnic games, picnic by the water, Edward Morse, Edith Morse and Russel Robb.
Description and condition report: Black commercial cloth album. Album binding is intact and in good condition. Album contains 340 photographs; some cyanotypes. The album has gold embossing on the front cover. 105 pages. Captioned throughout album with written page numbers. One stamped silhouette image. Photo on page 104 has writing on the back and is made out to Edith Morse.
Robb Family Album [1910 – 1925] Black commercial album binding in good condition. ‘miss’ written in yellow across front of album. Album contains 254 photographs, 115 pages with written page numbers. Photographs pertain to Morse family, Edward Morse gardening, portraits of family and friends, dogs,…
Photograph Album : 1 photograph album (254 photographs; b&w). --
Scope & Content
Robb Family Album [1910 – 1925] Black commercial album binding in good condition. ‘miss’ written in yellow across front of album. Album contains 254 photographs, 115 pages with written page numbers. Photographs pertain to Morse family, Edward Morse gardening, portraits of family and friends, dogs, cats, picnic by the water, sailing, bedroom, fireplace, dining room, hockey pictures, pole vaulting, track and field, football, tennis, baseball, cross-country skiing, army camp: drills, marching, swimming in backyard pool.
File consists of one compact disc containing one JPG file. Image pertains to an illustration drawn in pencil by Sally Wilson depicting a side profile of a ptarmigan. Image was used in the creation of a list of birds in Jasper National Park. File also includes a card from Sally Wilson giving written…
File consists of one compact disc containing one JPG file. Image pertains to an illustration drawn in pencil by Sally Wilson depicting a side profile of a ptarmigan. Image was used in the creation of a list of birds in Jasper National Park. File also includes a card from Sally Wilson giving written consent to use her drawing in future publications.
Robb / Morse family album, [1920 – 1923]. 55 pages, 549 photographs, small photos throughout album measured at approximately 4 cm x 6 cm. Some photographs captioned. Photographs pertain to Family and friends sailing at Seal Harbor, Maine, the Robb’s summer resort, Rockefeller brothers, pets, school…
Photograph Album : 1 photograph album (549 photographs; b&w).
Scope & Content
Robb / Morse family album, [1920 – 1923]. 55 pages, 549 photographs, small photos throughout album measured at approximately 4 cm x 6 cm. Some photographs captioned. Photographs pertain to Family and friends sailing at Seal Harbor, Maine, the Robb’s summer resort, Rockefeller brothers, pets, school days, sports, dressup/ theatre, picnics by the water, outdoor lawn games, swimming, swim team,
sailing, women’s track and field, wedding, Seal Harbor, Maine, the Robb’s summer resort, house interiors
Pages of note: #43 John D Rockefeller III, Catharine, Nelson A. Rockerfeller , #53 John D Rockefeller III and Nelson A. Rockerfeller, #55 John D Rockefeller III.
File consists of 20 illustrations (13 printed, 7 hand drawn) depicting geological movements and environmental change. Images were possibly produced by Ben Gadd as part of an interpretive program or display for travel company Rocky Mountaineer.
File consists of 20 illustrations (13 printed, 7 hand drawn) depicting geological movements and environmental change. Images were possibly produced by Ben Gadd as part of an interpretive program or display for travel company Rocky Mountaineer.
File consists of one pencil outline [possibly drawn by Ben Gadd], depicting an unidentified landscape view in West Central Alberta. Drawing was used by Ben in the creation of interpretive signs.
File consists of one pencil outline [possibly drawn by Ben Gadd], depicting an unidentified landscape view in West Central Alberta. Drawing was used by Ben in the creation of interpretive signs.
Album contains 30 b&w cabinet cards, 4 b&w tin types, 3 b&w prints, slipped into apertures, some captioned. Prints, cabinet cards, and tintypes relate to portraits of family and friends of the White and Curren Families.
Individuals pictured in the album include: John D. Curren, May Whyte Campbell, …
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (37 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 30 b&w cabinet cards, 4 b&w tin types, 3 b&w prints, slipped into apertures, some captioned. Prints, cabinet cards, and tintypes relate to portraits of family and friends of the White and Curren Families.
Individuals pictured in the album include: John D. Curren, May Whyte Campbell, Annie Curren, the 2nd Mrs.John Curren, Mrs. Florence, Bill Peyto, Mary Lamb (I.Lamb's sister), Mike Kavanaugh, Bella Curren (sister of Annie White), Dave Whyte, Elizabeth White Jones (sister of Dave White), Fred W. Atkinson, and Jim McGravy.
Photographic Studios noted on the cabinet cards include: Taylor and Sons, Kirkaldy, est. 1868; Trask, Philidelphia; R.H.Trueman & co., Vancouver, BC; Weese, Artist, Bellville; Wilbur M. Lee, Oconto, Wis; Byron Harmon, Banff; A.E.McDiarmid, Calgary, NWT; Trueman&Caple, Vancouver; A.Lamb, photographer.
Commercial cabinet card album. Front and back covers are covered in velvet. The front cover features a botanical motif and the word ‘album’ in low-relief. The cover is stained and has been damaged. Some of the velvet on the front page and spine has been worn off. Velvet on back cover is mostly intact. Album has a metal clasp that no longer closes. Album contains 28 pages, 3 empty apertures. Two of the empty apertures contain sketches possibly by Peter Whyte (pages 1 and 17). Sketches are done in pencil on backing paper of the apertures. Sketches are profiles of unknown subjects.