File pertains to seven diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1957-1967 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and the western United States.
Includes:
M67 / 4 - 1 : black leather diary, dated 57 58 59 in red paint on the front cover. Pertains to the last few days of the summer 1957 trip …
7.8 cm of textual records (7 volumes ; 11 x 17.8 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to seven diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1957-1967 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and the western United States.
Includes:
M67 / 4 - 1 : black leather diary, dated 57 58 59 in red paint on the front cover. Pertains to the last few days of the summer 1957 trip carried over from M67 / 3 - 6, a trip in 1958 involving travel to Banff, the annual Alpine Club of Canada hike, staying at the Chateau Lake Louise, hiking in Lake O'Hara, and travel back to Pennsylvania. Trip details for 1959 include travelling by train from the United States to Montreal before continuing on to Banff where she took trips to Lake O'Hara and Skoki - entries for 1959 seem to end abruptly. Also includes lists of people met over the three years, equipment used for various trips, and a list of events since Sept. 1958 including the opening of the new Sulphur gondola on July 28, 1958, the tearing down of the Brewster stables on Spray Ave, and the conversion of the ski lodge to the Post Hotel in Lake Louise.
M67 / 4 - 2 : black leather diary, dated 59 in red paint and end 1959-1962 on a piece of paper taped to the front cover. Pertains to the remainder of August 1959 (carried over from M67 / 4 - 2), and summer trips taken during 1960-1962 consisting of time spent around the Banff townsite, Lake O'Hara, and Bow Lake areas, annual organized hikes with the Alpine Club of Canada, as well as travel to and from Pennsylvania - usually by train. Also includes lists of people she met, new additions to staff at hotels Lillian Gest stayed at, luggage details, and events pertaining to Banff like construction projects, births, marriages, and deaths (including the death of Jack White in 1962, his house now being a library, and the fate of the grocery store he ran).
M67 / 4 - 3 : black leather diary, dated 1962-1964 in red paint on the cover. Pertains to the end of Lillian Gest's 1962 summer trip (carried over from M76 / 4 - 2) and trips taken during the summers of 1963 and 1964. The 1963 summer consists of travel from Pennsylvania to Banff by train, stays at various hotels (including the Club House [possibly the Alpine Club of Canada Club House], Moraine Lake Lodge, and Emerald Lake Lodge), hiking trips in Revelestoke Park and Lake O'Hara, the annual Sky Line Trail Hikers trip, and alternating between stays in Lake O'Hara and at the Club House before returning home. The 1964 summer followed a similar pattern, with stays at various hotels, hikes (both with and without organizations like the Sky Line Trail Hikers and the ACC), and travel between Pennsylvania and Banff by train. Also includes lists of people met during all three summers, equipment left in Banff (1963), a poem titled How To Die in the Mountains, evelvation of Golden, milages, and rates at the Lake O'Hara Lodge and Chateau Lake Louise. Pertains to trip to the Canadian Rockies during the summer of 1965. Includes stays around the Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake O'Hara, and Icefield Chalet areas as well as hikes with and without organizations such as the Alpine Club of Canada and the Skyline Trail Hikers. Also includes details about booking information throughout Yoho National Park, a list of mileages, and a list of events.
M67 / 4 - 4 : gold embossed red plastic spiral bound diary titled Can R. 1965 on adhesive paper on front cover. Pertains to the summer of 1965 and includes time spent in Banff, trips to and around Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara, the Icefiled Parkway, and Mt. Robson areas as well as stays at the The Club House (possibly the Alpine Club of Canada Club House), a trip with the Sky Line Trail Hikers in Little Yoho (Aug 1-5) and the annual ACC Camp (Aug 23 - Sept 3). The trip back to Pennsylvania was completed by train as far as Winnipeg, from where Gest took a plane. Also includes Lake O'Hara register notes, details on Yoho National Park, lists of mileages, books at the ACC Club House and its staff that year, 1965 events (unclear if entirely dedicated to Banff), and people met.
M67 / 4 - 5 : gold embossed red plastic spiral bound diary. Pertains to a trip to Alaska during the summer of 1966 and a trip to Expo 67 in Montreal from June 21-26. Also includes details on animals and birds spotted in Alaska, people met, and names of staff at places Lillian Gest stayed.
M67 / 4 - 6 : black leather diary, dated 1966 on a piece of paper taped to the front cover. Pertains to the remainder of Lillian Gest's summer 1966 travels throughout the Canadian Rockies (an extension of the Alaska trip detailed in M67 / 4 - 5). Also includes lists of items left in Banff and items purchased in both Alaska and Canada, reminders about correspondence, notes about Lake O'Hara, and events from Banff.
M67 / 4 - 7 : brown cardstock diary with black fabric tape on spine. Pertains to a trip to the Canadian Rockies in the summer of 1967 and includes hiking trips with and without organizations like the Alpine Club of Canada and the Sky Line Trail Hikers, as well as stays in Banff, Lake Louise, Glacier, Lake O'Hara, and the [probably ACC] Club House. Also mentions Expo 67 (details of that trip in M67/ 4 - 5), and contains lists of staff at the Lake O'Hara Lodge, Chateau Lake Louise, and the Club House, as well as events from around Banff, including the Mount Royal Hotel burning down.
Also includes loose items consisting of a brochure for the 1965 Sky Line Trail Hikers and address list, a letter from Caroline HInman regarding a 1959 trip plan, notes written by Lillian Gest [possibly reminders], a postcard, a Chirstmas letter from Peter and Catharine Whyte, and newspaper clippins.
Notes
Blank pages not scanned.
To read M67 / 4 - 7 start on the right-hand pages to the end, return to the front, flip the book upside-down and continue back to front.
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 consists of photographs of individuals setting up tipis at Banff Indian Days includes Indigenous and Stoney Nakoda individuals as well as Peter Whyte.
File consists of photographs of individuals setting up tipis at Banff Indian Days includes Indigenous and Stoney Nakoda individuals as well as Peter Whyte.
File pertains to 34 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 3 to November 3, 1952. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, installing electrical outlet…
1.2 cm of textual records (63 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 34 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 3 to November 3, 1952. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, installing electrical outlets in the living room, trips to Bow Lake, Banff Indian Days [including having David and Peggy (Rider) Bearspaw stay the night with Peter and Catharine during a bad storm], the Jasper Park Lodge burning down [July 15], the funeral for John Murray Gibbon, camping/sketching trips to Yoho National Park, several visits by Rockwell and Betty Kent, and leaving for a road trip to Concord for Christmas [Peter and Catharine left in late October and drove to Massachusetts]. Also includes an airmail card.
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.
131 - 07 [dated July 24, 1952] describes making a sound recording with Jacob Twoyoungmen and family. See S37 / 73 for actual recording
131 - 08 appears to have been cut 3/4 up the page prior to accession.
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1956. 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…
1.3 cm of textual records (87 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 1 to June 29, 1956. 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], construction of the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff to Lake Louise, Pete giving Frank Kaquitts painting lessons, the death and funeral of David Bearspaw in February, the Winter Carnival, opening the new post office, a visit to Gray and Elanor Campbell's ranch in Cowley, a trip to Bow Lake, Catharine's 50th birthday, and her nephew Rusty arriving for a visit. 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.
138 - 08 is a carbon copy of the first page of 138 - 07
Note: It is believed that the handwritten information on the back of the contact sheets was written by former archival staff in the initial phases of processing the photographs of Peter and Catharine Whyte. There is no list of titles attached to the individual images. Any descriptive information or identification of people has been provided by research done through the Recognizing Relations project
Stoney Nakoda Elders provided naming and other culturally relevant information during interviews held for Recognizing Relations, an archives initiative active from 2014-2023.
The goal of this initiative was to name local Indigenous peoples in photographs held in the WMCR archives as well as encouraging access for Indigenous communities to these images.
Note: It is believed that the handwritten information on the back of the contact sheets was written by former archival staff in the initial phases of processing the photographs of Peter and Catharine Whyte. There is no list of titles attached to the individual images. Any descriptive information or identification of people has been provided by research done through the Recognizing Relations project
Stoney Nakoda Elders provided naming and other culturally relevant information during interviews held for Recognizing Relations, an archives initiative active from 2014-2023.
The goal of this initiative was to name local Indigenous peoples in photographs held in the WMCR archives as well as encouraging access for Indigenous communities to these images.
[Peggy (Rider) Bearspaw & Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, Stoney Nakoda]*
Notes
Note: It is believed that the handwritten information on the back of the contact sheets was written by former archival staff in the initial phases of processing the photographs of Peter and Catharine Whyte. There is no list of titles attached to the individual images. Any descriptive information or identification of people has been provided by research done through the Recognizing Relations project
Stoney Nakoda Elders provided naming and other culturally relevant information during interviews held for Recognizing Relations, an archives initiative active from 2014-2023.
The goal of this initiative was to name local Indigenous peoples in photographs held in the WMCR archives as well as encouraging access for Indigenous communities to these images.
Note: It is believed that the handwritten information on the back of the contact sheets was written by former archival staff in the initial phases of processing the photographs of Peter and Catharine Whyte. There is no list of titles attached to the individual images. Any descriptive information or identification of people has been provided by research done through the Recognizing Relations project.
Stoney Nakoda Elders provided naming and other culturally relevant information during interviews held for Recognizing Relations, an archives initiative active from 2014-2023.
The goal of this initiative was to name local Indigenous peoples in photographs held in the WMCR archives as well as encouraging access for Indigenous communities to these images.
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 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hock…
1 cm of textual records (61 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 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 1 to June 29, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, Peter working on paintings for the Luxton Museum, the Winter Carnival [including Peter and Catharine judging the ice sculptures], Edith's companion Hanne moving in, the death of Ted Paris in April, replacing the oil furnace with a gas one in the house, Peter's mother Annie dying suddenly in May, and sketching trips, mostly around the Bow Lake area.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters 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 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
Image consists of family portrait of Jonas and Libby Benjamin, with their children Joseph and Hanna*
*Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders in the Recognizing Relations project
Image consists of family portrait of Jonas and Libby Benjamin, with their children Joseph and Hanna*
*Information provided by Stoney Nakoda Elders in the Recognizing Relations project
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.