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.
Fonds consists of two or more series. Series I. Photography, 1893-1913, is processed. Series II. Textual records are processed and consist of six series. Photography series consists of twenty-four sub-series: A. to O. Travel 1893 to Travel 1907; P. to S. Travel 1909 to Travel 1913; T. Travel ge…
2924 photographs: 2632 negatives, 167 transparencies, 125 prints. -- 1 photograph album (50 prints). -- ca.2.7 m textual records
History / Biographical
The Vaux family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were photographers, mountaineers and scientists. Mary M. Vaux, 1860-1940, George Vaux Jr., 1863-1927, and William S. Vaux Jr., 1872-1908, were the children of George Vaux (VIII) of Philadelphia. They were all involved in photography in the early 1880s and were members of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia. All three were taking photographs when the family made its first trip west in 1885. The first Vaux family photographs of the Canadian mountain west were made in 1887 during a summer trip along the Canadian Pacific Railway to Glacier House in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia in 1887.
The family made frequent visits to the Selkirk and Rocky Mountains over the next two decades to study the Illecillewaet and other glaciers, photograph, paint and climb. George's and Mary's photographic work centred on the mountain landscape, while William's concentrated upon the movement and physical features of glaciers. Due to the size of their large format cameras, the two brothers took most of the photographs during these trips and Mary was responsible for all of the printing. William Vaux died in 1908 and George did not return to the Canadian mountains after 1911; however, Mary Vaux Walcott returned to the region virtually every summer for over forty years. A detailed discussion of their activities is contained in "Legacy In Ice: The Vaux Family and the Canadian Alps," Whyte Foundation, Banff, 1983
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two or more series. Series I. Photography, 1893-1913, is processed. Series II. Textual records are processed and consist of six series.
Photography series consists of twenty-four sub-series: A. to O. Travel 1893 to Travel 1907; P. to S. Travel 1909 to Travel 1913; T. Travel general, 1894?-1912?; U. Prints, 1899-1907; V. Lantern slides, 1900-1909; W. Photograph album, before 1907; X. Textual records, 1893-1910; Y. Damaged Negatives; Z. Mary Schaffer Negatives. Photographic negatives, arranged chronologically, are prominent in the series. Images pertain to landscape studies and scenic views of the Selkirk and Rocky Mountains, especially the Glacier, Yoho and Lake Louise areas; glaciers in the Selkirk and Rocky Mountains, especially Illecillewaet, Asulkan, Yoho and Bow Glaciers; mountain scenes and panorama views in the Selkirks and Rockies; Canadian Pacific Railway in the Selkirks and CPR hotels; Glacier and Field, B.C. and Banff, Alberta and areas; climbing and other mountain activities; United States and Canadian views on trips to the mountains. Negatives include both glass (962 items) and film negatives (1740 items). Textual records are exposure records, original negative envelopes and publications.
Textual series consists of six series: I. Trip Series, II. Correspondence Series, III. Publications Series, IV. George Vaux: Legal and Finance Management Series, V. Photographic Related Material, VI. Other Series (O.S.). Textual records pertain to glacier study, including research papers, maps and publications; William S. Vaux Jr. papers re travels, engineering and architecture, other; George Vaux Jr. writing and other papers; Mary Vaux correspondence and papers re writing and presentations; and other records, 1877, 1912-1913. Textual records also include family travel papers, 1881-1911; George Vaux, Jr. "Glacier" files; correspondence between George Vaux and the Schäffers, 1899-1926; papers of Dr. Charles Schäffer, Mary Schäffer and Schäffer estate, 1855-1927.
Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: arrangement outline
series description
file description for Series I
electronic finding aid for Series I
selected modern reference prints
digital images in Images database and in Alberta InSight database
Related Material
Related by provenance to the Vaux family collection of photographs held by the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Vaux collection of correspondence, documents and graphics held by Special Collections of Haverford College Library, Haverford, Pennsylvania
Two annotated books: History of Ireland by John Mitchell,1869 and Holy Bible, 1886, containing notes on family history by various family members including Annie White and Florence White. Florence is Jack's second wife.
Two annotated books: History of Ireland by John Mitchell,1869 and Holy Bible, 1886, containing notes on family history by various family members including Annie White and Florence White. Florence is Jack's second wife.
2 small handmade books by John G. Morse; one dedicated to Edith and Russell Robb and one to Russell Robb Jr. Five small handmade humorous books and 1 drawing (several mentioning Edith Owen Morse), probably by Jenny Brooks.
2 small handmade books by John G. Morse; one dedicated to Edith and Russell Robb and one to Russell Robb Jr. Five small handmade humorous books and 1 drawing (several mentioning Edith Owen Morse), probably by Jenny Brooks.
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).
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.
Album contains 214 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in, some captioned. Prints relate 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. Prints also pertain to activities such as c…
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (214 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 214 b&w prints, pasted in, some tipped in, some captioned. Prints relate 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. Prints also pertain to activities such as crocket, pet cats, backyard parties, beach visits, picking flowers, the Christmas season, reading, and Catharine dressed in costumes.
Black commercial album with “Photographs” embossed on front cover. Written by hand on front cover is “Catherine.” Sticker on album spine reads “Catherine #2.” Album contains 104 pages, 1 loose.
Robb Family Album – titled “Children,” [1904 - 1911]. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs document activities: sledding, dress up, games, boating, children playing by the water. Photographs pertain to [Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith and John Morse, and Russell Rob…
Photograph Album : 1 photograph album (221 photographs, b&w). --
Scope & Content
Robb Family Album – titled “Children,” [1904 - 1911]. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album. Photographs document activities: sledding, dress up, games, boating, children playing by the water. Photographs pertain to [Edward Sylvester Morse, Edith and John Morse, and Russell Robb, children/babies - Catherine Robb, and Russell Robb].
Black commercial album bound binding, fair condition. ‘Children’ written in yellow across front of album. Album contains 221 photographs, captioned throughout album 97 pages with written page numbers. Album binding is intact and in good condition. Cloth tape labeled “children” pasted on binding. The album has gold embossing on the front cover.
Letters and invoices re: maintenance, insurance, taxes, etc. on Concord property owned by Catharine. Includes invoices for house and stable built for Russell Robb Sr. 1901-1902.
Letters and invoices re: maintenance, insurance, taxes, etc. on Concord property owned by Catharine. Includes invoices for house and stable built for Russell Robb Sr. 1901-1902.
File pertains to print copies made from original negatives of Vaux family travels in the Canadian Rockies in the late 1800s. Includes views of mountains, scree slopes, glaciers, train scenes (including tracks and the interior of a dining car), Glacier House, and portrais of the family members.
File pertains to print copies made from original negatives of Vaux family travels in the Canadian Rockies in the late 1800s. Includes views of mountains, scree slopes, glaciers, train scenes (including tracks and the interior of a dining car), Glacier House, and portrais of the family members.
Album contains 43 b&w prints, pasted in. Prints pertain to Edith and Russell Robb's twin boys, Edward and Frederick Robb who died shortly after their birth. The prints document the twins in rooms of the Robb family home, the twins posed with family members and their nurse or nanny.
Photograph Album: 1 photograph album (43 b&w prints) --
Scope & Content
Album contains 43 b&w prints, pasted in. Prints pertain to Edith and Russell Robb's twin boys, Edward and Frederick Robb who died shortly after their birth. The prints document the twins in rooms of the Robb family home, the twins posed with family members and their nurse or nanny.
Commercial album covered with green canvas like fabric. “Photographs” is embossed in gold on front cover. Album spine is in good condition and fully intact. Sticker inside of front cover reads “Edward and Frederick Robb.” Album contains 56 pages (8 empty) and 7 loose prints.
Enclosures from letters to Catharine from her mother, includes letters from family friends and relatives. Includes old family letters 1862 - 1920, f.181. Mildred Owen is first cousin to Edith Mary B. Clarke is the sister of Edith's father, Edward S. Morse; Jenny Brooks is Edith's friend from chil…
Enclosures from letters to Catharine from her mother, includes letters from family friends and relatives. Includes old family letters 1862 - 1920, f.181. Mildred Owen is first cousin to Edith Mary B. Clarke is the sister of Edith's father, Edward S. Morse; Jenny Brooks is Edith's friend from childhood; Dorothy Wayman is the author of a biography of Edward S. Morse.
File consists of a scrapbook of postcards from England, Scotland, and Wales. Includes scenic views of countrysides, city and town streets, schools, castles, and churches.
5.5 cm of textual records (95 pages ; 37.5 x 29 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook of postcards from England, Scotland, and Wales. Includes scenic views of countrysides, city and town streets, schools, castles, and churches.