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.
File consists of 64 photographs including 2 postcard prints. Content pertains to various members of the Kidney and Woodworth families and close friends, the 50th wedding anniversary of Ulysses and Annie LaCasse in 1968, events hosted by the Order of the Eastern Star Spray Valley chapter, Maud Kidne…
64 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 64 photographs including 2 postcard prints. Content pertains to various members of the Kidney and Woodworth families and close friends, the 50th wedding anniversary of Ulysses and Annie LaCasse in 1968, events hosted by the Order of the Eastern Star Spray Valley chapter, Maud Kidney's 71st birthday, social events in Calgary, and the Girls Flower Club in Banff.
Notes
File contains duplicates
Some dates are estimates provided by the Processing Archivist
Photographs in this file were accompanied by notes made shortly before or after accession in 1979 giving names/contextual information about photographs. Some notes are by Jim Deegan, 1987. Information has been transferred to the back of each photograph.
Some photographs with large volumes of annotations in ink, and one item with adhesive residue, have been placed in mylar to prevent transference onto adjacent items in file.
Annora Brown was an artist from Fort Macleod, Alta. & moved to Sidney, B.C. in 1965. Note on original file: "Mother was a Cody."
Addition of 2 letters in 2018: M36/219/45 and M36/219/46
Annora Brown was an artist from Fort Macleod, Alta. & moved to Sidney, B.C. in 1965. Note on original file: "Mother was a Cody."
Addition of 2 letters in 2018: M36/219/45 and M36/219/46
File consists of one guestbook pertaining to Maud and Forest Kidney's golden wedding anniversary celebration in 1973. Guestbook annotated with ca. 170 signatures of attendees to the celebration [some are combined signatures of spouses and/or family members], and a souvenir napkin from the event ins…
File consists of one guestbook pertaining to Maud and Forest Kidney's golden wedding anniversary celebration in 1973. Guestbook annotated with ca. 170 signatures of attendees to the celebration [some are combined signatures of spouses and/or family members], and a souvenir napkin from the event inside the front cover. Includes signatures by Catharine Robb Whyte, Elizabeth Rummel, Eleanor Luxton, Eddie Hunter and several members of the Woodworth family.
File consists of 44 photographs, including 2 postcard photographs, pertaining to Annie and Ulysses LaCasse's 50th wedding anniversary and Maud Kidney and friends visiting Jimmy and Billie Simpson at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Many individuals in photographs are unnamed. Postcard photographs are of Jimmy Sim…
44 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 9 x 13.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
See fonds-level entry for Jimmy Simpson family fonds [M78 / S16 / V577]
Scope & Content
File consists of 44 photographs, including 2 postcard photographs, pertaining to Annie and Ulysses LaCasse's 50th wedding anniversary and Maud Kidney and friends visiting Jimmy and Billie Simpson at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Many individuals in photographs are unnamed. Postcard photographs are of Jimmy Simpson Sr. and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.
Notes
File contains duplicates
Some dates provided are estimate by the Processing Archivist
Photographs in this file were accompanied by notes made shortly before or after accession in 1979 giving names/contextual information about photographs. Some notes are by Jim Deegan, 1987. Information has been transferred to the back of each photograph.
File consists of blank cards and postcards; two doilies; printed copies of images from the Hispanic Society of America; newspaper clippings; Geographic Maps.
File consists of blank cards and postcards; two doilies; printed copies of images from the Hispanic Society of America; newspaper clippings; Geographic Maps.
File consists of inventory of items listing names of Indigenous peoples; notes and letters written by Catharine Whyte; Cree Syllabics; Drawings; manuscript titled Stoney Agricultural Development program; written stories
File consists of inventory of items listing names of Indigenous peoples; notes and letters written by Catharine Whyte; Cree Syllabics; Drawings; manuscript titled Stoney Agricultural Development program; written stories