File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk…
1 album (173 prints : b&w and col. ; 25 x 22.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk of the album is dedicated to Christmas cards sent to Lillian Gest by various people from 1949-1958.
Inserts pertain to two photographs of a group of people sitting on the front porch of a cabin in Lake O'Hara. Ernest Feuz is seated far right.
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to December 27, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [m…
1 cm of textual records (71 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to December 27, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, Catharine's nephew Rusty arriving [he worked at Bow Lake helping with hunting parties in July], trips to Bow Lake, Banff Indian Days, a climbing tragedy on Mt. Temple in July wherein several young boys died, visits to the Campbell's ranch in Cowley, attending a Sun Dance ceremony near Fort Macleod, camping and sketching trips around Banff National Park, the Alberta Jubilee celebrations, a trip to Concord in October [they took the train down and drove back in a newly purchased Jeep], construction of the new Trans-Canada Highway through Banff, working on the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas parties. Also includes postcards and notecards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
Some letters written on Num-Ti-Jaw Lodge letterhead, one written on Banff Shell Station letterhead.
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 5 to December 30, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs …
1.8 cm of textual records (104 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 5 to December 30, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], a road trip from north-eastern United States through Canada back to Banff in early August [written mostly on postcards], a trip to Lethbridge in late August, various construction projects [the new Sulphur Mountain gondola, the chimney and basement furnace of their house, and the Trans-Canada Highway], a trip to Concord in late November, and preparation of Chirstmas cards. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards and a Christmas card.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
143 - 39 includes a sketch of a shelving unit Catharine hoped to have installed in their bedroom.
143 - 64 is the 1958 Christmas card made by Catharine and Peter
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of the…
1.6 cm of textual records (93 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of their new diesel engines, events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, the North American Ski Championship in February [for which Pete designed pins], the Banff Winter Carnival, installing fluorescent lights in the kitchen [prior to that they had "temporary" lights], purchasing a new Jeep stationwagon, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor visiting Banff in April, driving to Concord in May and back to Banff in June, plans for Banff Indian Days, a trip to Bow Lake, and Pete and Catharine's 20th wedding anniversary. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clear…
1.2 cm of textual records (72 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clearing a new ski run on Norquay, Gray Campbell starting on his first book ["We Found Peace"], the death of King Geroge VI in February, the Winter Carnival [called "Silver City"], installing a new hot water tank in the house, Peter submitting a painting to a competition for ex-RCAF men to be sent to the Queen, clearing trees from their yard, buying a new Jeep, being interviewed by Ken Liddel in June, and camping/sketching trips to Lake Louise and Bow Lake. Also includes a postcard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
130 - 16 has a section cut out from the middle of the page.
130 - 24 appears to be missing the first page of the letter.
130 - 28 contains a recreation by Catharine of a design Jon Whyte made of a Weaving School he thought his mother should start.
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 30, 1957. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mo…
1.6 cm of textual records (97 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 30, 1957. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, travelling back from a visit to Concord in early January, the Winter Carnival, the death of Walter Painter [February], trips to Concord in late April-early May and mid-June, and road trips to Cowley and Fort Macleod in July. Some letters are typed and some hand-written. Also includes one notecard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 81 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 3 to December 29, 1957. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs …
2.4 cm of textual records (128 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 81 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 3 to December 29, 1957. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], seeing off Carl Rungius to New York, going to Edmonton for a cataract operation on Peter's right eye [August 23] - Catharine's time in Edmonton mostly consisted of sitting with Peter in the hospital, running errands in the city, and answering letters [she stayed at the Corona Hotel], starting construction of eventual Buffalo Block [consisting of three stores along Buffalo St. and a restaurant on the second floor], concerns regarding Edith's health, a visit to Concord from mid-October to mid-November [travelled by train], a second visit to Edmonton in December for Peter's eye, putting together their annual Christmas card, and other Christmas activities. Some letters are typed and some hand-written. Also includes one postcard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 92 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to July 14, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mo…
2.7 cm of textual records (135 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 92 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to July 14, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary [mostly by car], new glasses for Peter, construction of the new Trans-Canada Highway, construction projects pertaining to Buffalo Block [including the installation of a restaurant on the second floor], the Seymour Narrows, B.C., controlled explosion (April 5, 1958), the opening of the new Morley Community Centre in April, a trip to Edmonton, mention of starting a Foundation in order to manage the block they live on [including ideas for an art gallery, library, and museum] and the proposed name Wa-Che-Yo-Cha-Pa supplied by George McLean, and travel around Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia between visits to Concord for the purpose of painting. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
142 - 21 is a Valentine's Day card missing the front cover, not addressed to anyone and signed by Mildred.
142 - 44 is a copy of a letter written to Catharine and Peter from Rusty.
142 - 60 is a letter written from Edmonton on Corona Hotel Edmonton letterhead.
142 - 74 is the beginning of letters written on the road between Banff and Yarmouth, N.S., on the way to and after leaving Concord.
File pertains to 110 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to August 29, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs …
2.5 cm of textual records (145 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 110 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to August 29, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], the 50th anniversary of the first flight in the Brittish Commonwealth in February, the 1959 Winter Carnival, construction on the back of the house, a trip to Concord in June for a friend's wedding, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's visit in June, trips to Bow Lake during the summer, and the widening of the Icefield Parkway as far as the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
144 - 02 is a letter to Rusty
144 - 07 is a carbon copy of 144 - 06
144 - 31 is a carbon copy of 144 - 30
144 - 56 is a carbon copy of 144 - 55
144 - 62 mostly consists of a story titled "The Story of Penny Warren"
144 - 86 is a carbon copy of the first page of 144 - 85
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
File pertains to 100 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 20 to December 29, 1951. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, hockey games, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, Catharin…
1.7 cm of textual records (136 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 100 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 20 to December 29, 1951. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, hockey games, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, Catharine's uncle John passing away, installing a suite in Annie White's house, the deaths of Jack W. Brewster and Allan Mather on the same day [June 12], camping/sketching trips [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Yoho National Park], Banff Indian Days, installing a new bridge over the Spray River, a roadtrip to Lethbridge in August for a ceremony to make Governor General Ciscount Alexander an honourary chief [ceremony held in Standoff], Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillips' tour of Canada, the deaths and funerals of Colonel Phillip Moore and Hal Waterhouse in November, making up the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas activities and parties. Also includes postcards and note cards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to November 14, 1950. Topics include trips to Bow Lake [mostly to sketch/paint] during the summer, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, the Calgary Stampede, photography, painting,…
1.3 cm of textual records (69 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to November 14, 1950. Topics include trips to Bow Lake [mostly to sketch/paint] during the summer, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, the Calgary Stampede, photography, painting, weather, Banff Indian Days, events and people in Concord, radio programs, getting a new recorder [possibly a reel-to-reel], a train strike in August, a trip to visit the Capmbells in Cowley, funerals, day trips to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, meeting composer Alec Templeton and playing recorded First Nations songs for him, getting the annual Christmas card together, and planning a trip to Hawaii for the winter. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
127 - 22 insert 01 was sealed prior to accession - the envelope is empty.
File pertains to 31 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 16 to May 22, 1953. Topics include a road trip from Concord to Banff from January - March [the route taken was: Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Califo…
1.1 cm of textual records (58 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 31 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 16 to May 22, 1953. Topics include a road trip from Concord to Banff from January - March [the route taken was: Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Montana, Alberta], day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, errand trips to Calgary, radio programs, enlarging the second-floor bathroom [removing the bathtub and replacing it with an encolsed shower], insulating the spare bedroom, the Crown Prince of Japan visiting Banff in April, and the Banff Music Festival. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
132 - 10 contains an account of Indigenous dress and dancing in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico.
132 - 31 contains a summary of Grey Campbell's involvement in the shootout between RCMP officers and three Doukhobors in the 1930s.
File pertains to 41 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from September 3 to December 14, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, seeing the m…
1 cm of textual records (58 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 41 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from September 3 to December 14, 1959. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, seeing the musical My Fair Lady at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary (Sept. 21), driving out to the Panther Valley with Warden Peter Tasker (Oct. 16), Carl Rungius' death (October), a trip to Concord in early November [just Catharine], construction on the back of the house, a second trip to Concord for Christmas and New Years followed immediately by a two-month trip to the West Indies [Catharine and Peter]. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes two postcards making up one letter.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 55 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 13, 1953 to June 27, 1954. Topics include a trip to Hawaii from December to March [includes mainland travel between Banff and California by train and travel to and from Hawaii by boat], Christm…
1.7 cm of textual records (114 pages ; 21 x 27 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 55 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 13, 1953 to June 27, 1954. Topics include a trip to Hawaii from December to March [includes mainland travel between Banff and California by train and travel to and from Hawaii by boat], Christmas and New Years Eve activities, travelling around to different parts of the island, meeting with other vacationers from Banff, going straight to Edmonton [from California by train] to see Peter's doctor about new glasses, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, weather, events and people in Concord, Peter's mother Annie being in the hospital, the deaths of Jean Caird in April and Belmore Browne in May, a second trip to Edmonton for Peter's eyes [during this trip he is admitted to the hospital for depression, possibly brought on by stress], Annie moving from Banff to Vancouver, and Peter receiving psychiatric treatment in Calgary. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters hand-written, some typed. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
Many letters written during the Hawaii trip, as well as during stays in Calgary and Edmonton, are written on hotel letterheads.
134 - 04 includes sketches of the location of the apartment they stay in in Honolulu and of the layout of their apartment.
Image of a postcard depicting a group of men dressed in winter coats and hats, one with a large camera on a tripod, with "Banff Winter Carival Phil making a date with the movie man" written in white in the bottom right corner - Catharine Whyte has written on the back in pencil: "Left to right Jim W…
Image of a postcard depicting a group of men dressed in winter coats and hats, one with a large camera on a tripod, with "Banff Winter Carival Phil making a date with the movie man" written in white in the bottom right corner - Catharine Whyte has written on the back in pencil: "Left to right Jim Wardle, ?, Mr Stewart Clerk in Gov't office, Byron Harmon, Col P.A. Moore, ?, Leslie Mather, Pete Whyte [/] Swimming at Cave & Basin during Winter Carnival"
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.