Fonds includes a framed collage, 2 photograph albums, 1 loan for copy scrapbook, and miscellaneous certificates and other ephemera. The collage consists of 14 b&w photographs of Stoney First Nations in the Kootenay Plains and Morley areas, 1877-1927. Identification of photographs include images of …
Bill Waterworth (1922-2009) was born on Marten Street in Mrs. Thomson's nursing home in Banff. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 18. On September 19, 1942, Waterworth was shot down over the French coast just short of completing his 33rd mission. Waterworth avoided capture by German patrols for two weeks before being captured and taken prisoner by the Gestapo. He was sent by boxcar to a Prisoner of War camp - Stalag VIIIB/344 - in Lamsdorf, Germany where he remained for three years.
In 1946, Bill married Bernice "Bern" Wilson (d. 2003), who was a granddaughter of Tom Wilson. Together they had three children, Lynn, Bunty, and Christie.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes a framed collage, 2 photograph albums, 1 loan for copy scrapbook, and miscellaneous certificates and other ephemera. The collage consists of 14 b&w photographs of Stoney First Nations in the Kootenay Plains and Morley areas, 1877-1927. Identification of photographs include images of John Hunter and George McLean (Chief Walking Buffalo), William Hunter, Paul Beaver, Sampson Beaver, Chief Tom Chinicka, John House, Silas Abraham, Job Beaver, Enos Hunter, Ben Kaquitts, Dan Wildman Sr., Dan Wildman Jr., Moses Hunter, Wildman boy, Enoch Wildman, Tom Kaquitts Jr., Tom Kaquitts Sr., Leebie Crawler, Tom Wilson, Morley Beaver, Nat Hunter, William and Josh Hunter, Mark Poucette, Geo. Kaquitts, Joe Peacemaker, and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hunter. Photograph album belonging to Bill Waterworth pertains to aviation training in Calgary, family, friends, and Boy Scout trips and photograph album created by Bernice "Bern" Waterworth (nee Wilson) consists of friends, family, and activities such as skiing and canoeing. The digitized scrapbook is titled "A Wartime Log : A Remembrance from Home Through the Canadian Y.M.C.A.", and pertains to Bill Waterworth's experience as a POW. The original Wartime Log was digitized in 2009, and the original returned to the family.
Photographs are in the public domain (other restrictions may apply)
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: electronic finding aid for processed material
Related Material
S1 / 162 - Whyte Museum Oral History Prograamme : Bill Waterworth's Wartime Log interview with Bill Waterworth by Head Archivist E. J. (Ted) Hart, May 28, 2009
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.