Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
File consists of notes, advertisements and other documents pertaining to multiple businesses owned by Norman Luxton in Banff. File includes: advertising cards depicting the "Man Fish" of Lake Minnewanka at the Banff Indian Trading Post; a list of names of Stoney Nakoda community members commissione…
File consists of notes, advertisements and other documents pertaining to multiple businesses owned by Norman Luxton in Banff. File includes: advertising cards depicting the "Man Fish" of Lake Minnewanka at the Banff Indian Trading Post; a list of names of Stoney Nakoda community members commissioned to make souvenirs for the Indian Trading Post [1945-1950?]; flyers and tickets for film showings of “Mighty Lak’ a Rose”, “The Dawn Patrol”, “Captain of the Guard”, "Lilies of the Field" and "Make Me a Star" at the Lux Theatre between 1923 and 1938; a pamphlet pertaining to the King Edward Hotel; and stationery with letterheads promoting the King Edward Hotel and the Luxton Museum.
Notes
Full names of individuals listed on typed paper slip in file are provided under "Full Text" and "Name Access" fields in this entry; correct spellings under "Name Access"
File pertains to 68 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from April 12 to October 19, 1936. Topics include returning from a trip out east by train, going to Skoki for a few days in April [including updates on the new camp buildings and access road], w…
2.8 cm of textual records (117 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 68 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from April 12 to October 19, 1936. Topics include returning from a trip out east by train, going to Skoki for a few days in April [including updates on the new camp buildings and access road], weather, skiing and ski conditions, film-making, visits from friends and visitors, matters pertaining to the house [opening and closing it as they come and go from various trips], errand trips to Calgary, watching hockey games, going to the movies, leaving for Hawaii via Vancouver in early May [sailing on the Empress of Canada], books Catharine and Edith are reading, arriving in Hawaii and eventually getting settled at the Grand Hotel in Wailuku, Maui, visiting with friends, descriptions of meals, photography and cameras, relocating to the Moana Hotel in Honolulu in mid-May, sightseening and day trips around the islands, sketching, descriptions of other ships coming and going from the harbour, details of the trip back to Banff in mid-June, radio programs [mostly news and operas], cleaning and household chores, events and people in Concord, camping trips, maintenance and upkeep of the house and property, painting/sketching, various holidays [both Canadian and American], the Calgary Stampede, Banff Indian days, the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip [based out of Lake O'Hara] in early August, matters pertaining to the store, Edith purchasing a painting of two moose from Carl Rungius, developing photographs, a two-week trip to Lake O'Hara in late August/early September to paint and hike [also includes details of other people there, day to day activies, and the subjects painted/sketched], day trips around the national park to take photographs and hike [mostly in the Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Bow Lake areas], and preparing for a trip out to Concord at the end of October.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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.
The first 10 or so letters have been numbered in pencil in the upper margin of the page as part of an unknown project.
File pertains to 69 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 26, 1936, to June 9, 1937. Topics include Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, gifts given and received, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, Ame…
2.5 cm of textual records (98 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 69 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 26, 1936, to June 9, 1937. Topics include Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, gifts given and received, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, American newspapers Catharine is interested in, radio programs [mostly news and operas], weather, cleaning and household chores, maintenance and upkeep of the house and property [including the construction of a screened-in porch at the back of the house, remodelling the stairs, building a darkroom on the second floor, and building a new garage], events and people in Concord, the opening of the new Administration building on the south side of the river [the Post Office is relocated here], painting/sketching, watching hockey games, skiing, descriptions of meals, the Winter Carnival, going to the movies [and Edith going to various plays], the Dominion Ski Championship being held at Norquay in March, photography and cameras, responsibilities and activities pertaining to the Ski Club, Edith's trip to Florida in March, books Catharine and Edith are reading, various holidays [both Canadian and American], trips to Skoki Lodge to ski and paint [also includes details of people who were also there, meals, and conversations], the coronation of King George VI and Queen Mary in May, the death of Catharine's Aunt Jane [Edith's sister?], day trips around the National Park to paint/sketch and have picnics with family, dinner and tea parties, print-making, frame making, and various other community events.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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.
101 - 31 contains a sketch of the newly remodelled stairs in the Whyte home.
101 - 43 insert may or may not belong to this specific letter - no identifying marks can be found on it.
101 - 59 is a brochure advertising Lake Minnewaska Mountain Houses, New York, and does not appear to be associated to a specific letter and so has been scanned as it's own entry.
File pertains to 45 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from June 11 to October 3, 1937. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, world news [often pertaining to politics and the British Royal family], maintenance and upkeep …
1.7 cm of textual records (108 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 45 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from June 11 to October 3, 1937. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, world news [often pertaining to politics and the British Royal family], maintenance and upkeep of the house and property [mostly landscaping], cleaning and household chores, weather, gifting a stove to the Simpsons for use at Bow Lake [currently a camp], events and people in Concord, various holidays [both Canadian and American], day trips around the National Park [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Moraine Lake], making frames and prepping canvas for painting, books Catharine and Edit are reading, dinner parties, rearranging the kitchen [including getting a new refrigerator and a new table with two bench seats], trips to Bow Lake to paint throughout the summer, hiking, wildlife [often in the yard], updates on the new trail being built from Moraine Lake to Taylor Lake, Banff Indian Days, photography and cameras, print-making, descriptions of meals, the birth of Russ and Kitty's first son in July [Russle Jr. aka Rusty], the annual Sky Line Trail Hikers trip in early August [Pete' s last year as President], trips to Lake O'Hara and Assiniboine to paint and hike throughout August and September [the trip to and from Assiniboine was carried out on horseback], painting/sketching, activities and people at various camps, descriptions of the weather and conditions riding in and out of Assiniboine, developing and colouring photographs, working on a portrait of Mark Poucette, and news of Margaret and Mary Simpson going to Boston to skate.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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.
102 - 07 contains a sketch of the main floor of the Whyte home illustrating the placement of the new dining table.
File pertains to 34 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from October 22, 1937 to February 14, 1938. Topics include arriving in Vancouver from Banff in late October, details of the drive to the coast, taking a small road trip down the coast as far as …
2.1 cm of textual records (74 pages ; 21.2 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 34 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from October 22, 1937 to February 14, 1938. Topics include arriving in Vancouver from Banff in late October, details of the drive to the coast, taking a small road trip down the coast as far as California before returning to Victoria in mid-November [including visits to Yosemite and the Redwood forests], descriptions of various accommodations in Washington and California, weather, meals, going on a weekend trip from Victoria to Campbell River, booking a trip to Europe on the SS Vancouver of the Hamburg-American Line [leaving from Vancouver bound for Switzerland via the Panama Canal and the English Channel] and leaving in early December, details of life and activities aboard ship [the boat only carried 25 passengers], discussions of Pete and Catharine's plans to purchase a new Ford car upon returning to North America, Christmas and New Year's Eve activities and celebrations on board and in Concord, the other people on the boat, landmarks they pass [primarily the Panama Canal], sketching, descriptions of other ships, books Catharine and Edith are reading, disembarking in Bremen Germany and heading to Zurich Switzerland by car, local architecture and geography, going to Klosters for a week to ski, descriptions of accomodations, and moving higher into the mountains to to Davos-Laret to watch an international ski race, ski, and paint. Also includes a telegram.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoplesand people of the Jewish faith used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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.
103 - 12 is addressed to Russ and contains Pete and Catharine's contact details for their trip to Europe and financial information.
103 - 16 contains two pages cut from a brochure advertising the SS Vancouver, Catharine has made notations on one page.
103 - 21 insert is a blue ribbon with yellow stitched letters reading "Hapag - D. << Vancouver >>" - ribbon is ca. 95.8 x 3.2 cm.
103 - 24 contains an insert for page 14 of a sketch of the Panama Canal locks.
103 - 29 contains a sketch and description of a T-bar ski lift system.
File pertains to 22 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from March 2 to July 2, 1938. Topics include skiing and watching skiing events in Switzerland, descriptions of meals, local community events and activities [such as Carnivals], meeting with frie…
1.8 cm of textual records (81 pages ; 22.4 x 29.2 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 22 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from March 2 to July 2, 1938. Topics include skiing and watching skiing events in Switzerland, descriptions of meals, local community events and activities [such as Carnivals], meeting with friends, news pertaining to Hitler's movements in Europe, weather, people and events in Concord, photography, leaving Switzerland in April in order to drive to Norway for the summer [includes driving through Germany, Denmark, and Sweden], descriptions of European roads [particularly the Autobahn] and various road-side amenities, visiting art galleries and museums, going to the movies, various holidays [mostly American], descriptions of ski hills and conditions in Norway, sightseeing, painting/sketching, architecture and buildings, exploring the islands off of Norway's northern coast [mostly by the ferry "Princess Ragnhild"] for a few weeks in late May to early June, camping, leaving Norway for Scotland in late June, and heading for Concord in early July. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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.
104 - 08 contains a list of distances and geographic features between various towns and cities in Germany and Switzerland on the last two pages.
File pertains to 46 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 7 to December 29, 1938. Topics include returning from a trip to Concord and details about the route taken, cleaning and household chores, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a…
2.5 cm of textual records (97 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 46 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 7 to December 29, 1938. Topics include returning from a trip to Concord and details about the route taken, cleaning and household chores, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a day trip on the new stretch of road between Bow Lake and the Saskatchewan River Crossing, trips to Lake O'Hara to paint and hike [also includes hiking the new trail Tom Link and Jimmy Simpson blazed to Linda Lake, named for Linda Castle of Honolulu], events and people in Concord, photography and cameras, day to day life, maintenance and upkeep of the house and property [mostly landscaping], descriptions of meals, painting/sketching, day trips to Lake Louise [mostly in September to paint], mentions of the threat of war in Europe, radio programs [mostly operas and the news, but also plays], slide-making, the start of construction on the Mount Temple Chalet, films and film making, Jack and Barbara starting construction on their new house, various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, wildlife [often in the yard], going to Victoria in early November to see Annie and Dave, day trips with Cliff to see the progress on Mount Temple Chalet, Christmas, and various other holiday-related activities, parties, and gifts.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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 65 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 31, 1939. Topics include New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, Christmas presents, radio programs [mostly operas and the news, but also plays], books Catharine and Edith are read…
2.3 cm of textual records (138 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 65 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 31, 1939. Topics include New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, Christmas presents, radio programs [mostly operas and the news, but also plays], books Catharine and Edith are reading, day to day life, weather, slide-making, skiing at Norquay, visits from friends and visitors, descriptions of meals, wildlife [often in the yard], print-making, photography and cameras, events and people in Concord, day trips to Lake Louise, the Winter Carnival, construction of the Mount Temple Chalet finishing and subsequent trips to Temple to ski, cleaning and household chores, trips to Skoki to ski, painting/sketching, photography, updates on Dave White's health, errand trips to Calgary, various holidays [both Canadian and American], planning a new additon to the back of the house, going to Victoria and back in April-May [they stayed in Lethbridge, Nelson, Grand Forks, Kamloops, and Vancouver before arriving in Victoria by car and then took the train back to Banff from Prince George through Revelstoke and Golden], preparing the house for renovations [includes deep cleaning and having the floors sanded], the King and Queen visiting in late May, the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, Russ' health concerns, short trips around the mountains to paint/sketch [mostly up to Bow Lake/Saskatchewan River Crossing and into Yoho National Park], the Calgary Stampede, Banff Indian Days, progress on the construction of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake, and preparing for the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip.
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 are written on hotel/lodge letterhead. Most typed letters are written on a single side of paper, hand-written letters are mostly double-sided.
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.
106 - 47 contains details of the 1939 Royal Visit.
File pertains to 56 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to December 30, 1939. Topics include going on the annual Skyline Trail Hike to the Ptarmigan Valley in early August, day to day life, weather, painting/sketching [a mix of personal projects and…
1.7 cm of textual records (93 pages ; 20 x 24.9 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 56 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to December 30, 1939. Topics include going on the annual Skyline Trail Hike to the Ptarmigan Valley in early August, day to day life, weather, painting/sketching [a mix of personal projects and commissions done both at home and out in the Park], visits from friends and visitors, slide making, photography and cameras [including colour photography], events and people in Concord, minor repairs/projects to the house and property [including installing a new water heater on the second floor], updates on Dave White's health, radio programs [mostly operas and the news], the declaration of war on Germany in early September [as well as details pertaining to local recruitment efforts and general preparations], day trips to Lake Louise, wildlife, descriptions of meals, Edith going to the 1939 World's Fair in New York City [September], construction on the new addition to the house throughout October [including a new furnace room, bathroom, and dark room on the ground floor, extending the studio on the second floor, and facing the side of the house in stone], cleaning and household chores, errand trips to Calgary, books Catharine and Edith are reading, a large blizzard at the end of October, birthdays, various holidays [both Canadian and American], attending first aid classes at the school, putting together the annual Christmas card, and various other Christmas activities and parties.
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. All typed letters are written on a single side of paper, hand-written letters are mostly double-sided.
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.
107-19 contains a sketch of a mushroom on the back of the first page.
107-36 contains a sketch of the Whyte compound and details of the new extention to Pete and Catharine's house.
File pertains to 47 letters and postcards written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 1930 to October 1930. Topics include the trip back to Banff after marriage, day to day life, meeting and visiting Pete's friends, the Banff community and artists [including Bill Brews…
1.3 cm of textual records (82 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 47 letters and postcards written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 1930 to October 1930. Topics include the trip back to Banff after marriage, day to day life, meeting and visiting Pete's friends, the Banff community and artists [including Bill Brewster, Jim Brewster, Guy Davenport, Sid Graves, Sid Brewster, Mary Vaux Walcott, Jimmy Simpson, Byron Harmon, Fern Brewster, Wayne Palmer, Fred McCauley, Mrs. Brett, Julia Raymond, Pearl Moore, Edmee Moore, Philip Moore, J.E.H. MacDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Link, Mr. and Mrs. Painter, George Brewster, Jessie McLean, Buddy van Dyke, Dorothy Whyte, John Murray Gibbon, Carl Rungius, Fred Arbrister, Neil Begg, Rudolph Aemner,] painting outdoors, people in Concord, meeting Noel Odell of the 1924 Everest Expedition, a fire at a tea house in town, plans for building their home [including a sketch of the lots along Bow River], visiting Castle Mountain Camp and Kicking Horse Tea House, description of Skoki Lodge building plans [with Cliff White, Cyril Paris, and Ike Mills], and builders Earl Spencer and Spud White, and painting in Morley [Mrs. Twoyoungmen, John Simian or Black Buffalo, Jonas Richson [?], Dan Wildman and other illegible names], the climb to Abbot Pass, Lake Oesa, and Lake O'Hara Camp.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and those of the Jewish faith used throughout is outdated and offensive. Some items were stapled together and therefore scanned together as one document.
Letters are all handwritten and include some hotel and camp letterheads. 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 also have numbers written in pencil crayon, believed to be from when originally processed.
File pertains to 56 letters and envelopes written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 1931 to October 1931. Topics include visiting J.E.H. MacDonald in Toronto and meeting Lawren Harris, day to day life in Banff, skiing at Skoki, bringing materials out to Skoki in …
1.3 cm of textual records (310 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to 56 letters and envelopes written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 1931 to October 1931. Topics include visiting J.E.H. MacDonald in Toronto and meeting Lawren Harris, day to day life in Banff, skiing at Skoki, bringing materials out to Skoki in packs and by dogsled, Bill Oliver filming at Skoki, the description and construction details of Peter and Catharine's house and yard and moving in [including furniture details], shopping in Calgary for house items,a rock slide near Field, travel to Montana, people in Concord, installation of Peter and Catharine's paintings in the ballroom at the Banff Springs Hotel, the fire at Grand View Villa, attending the Calgary Stampede with Edmee Moore and Georgia Engelhard, painting portraits of Indigenous friends and Tom Wilson, Edith's visit to Banff, painting at Castle Mountain [including details about Joe Smith], Peter making picture frames, the visit of the King and Queen of Siam, and meeting new people, community members and house callers [including Cyril Paris, Victor Kutschera, Norman Knight, Bernie Hanson, Ike Mills, Erling Strom, Allan Mather, Betty Painter, Rick Smith, Mrs. Bill Brewster, Bill Carson, Mr. Coach, Spud White, Cliff White, Dr. Robinson, Cameron and Lila White Stockand, Mildred Jackson White, Annie White, Mr. and Mrs. Rungius, Charlie Beil, J.D. Curren, Sam Ward and Earl Spencer and others working on the Whyte Home, Mrs. Carr, Jackie White, Pearl and Philip Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Harmon, Casper McCullah, Dorothy White, Mrs. Childe, Mrs. Robertson, Bobby Hunter, William Twin, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Poucette, Hank Cheever, Mr. and Mrs. Leuning [Otto?], Barbara and Ruth Carpenter, Sid Graves, Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Fred Armbrister, Mr. Gillet, Belmore Browne, Margaret Simpson, Betty Painter, and Jim and Dell Brewster.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and those of the Jewish faith used throughout is outdated and offensive. Some items were stapled together and therefore scanned together as one document.
Letters are all handwritten and include some hotel, business, and camp letterheads. 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 also have numbers written in pencil crayon, believed to be from when originally processed.
File pertains to 28 handwritten letters by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from May 1932 to July 1932. Topics include daily life in Banff, more work on Peter and Catharine's home, Fern Brewster's engagement and marriage, land and lots along Bow Avenue, news in Concord [includin…
1.3 cm of textual records (155 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to 28 handwritten letters by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from May 1932 to July 1932. Topics include daily life in Banff, more work on Peter and Catharine's home, Fern Brewster's engagement and marriage, land and lots along Bow Avenue, news in Concord [including the death of Catharine's Aunt Helen and Edith Morse Robb's health], conversations with Earl Spencer, the death of Ruth Carpenter Mather [and subsequent reactions of family and locals], visiting and sketching in Yoho, a trip with Barbara Carpenter White to Vancouver, a trip with Barbara Carpenter White and Mary Schaffer Warren to Yoho, Catharine trading a painting for a grizzly hide, Peter getting a commission to paint a pair of portraits, Peter and Catharine's work hanging at the Banff Springs Hotel, painting trips to Larch Valley, Lake O'Hara and other locations, attending the Calgary Stampede [and corresponding art exhibition and an invitation to participate from Gwen[?] Hutton], and interactions and house visits from locals and others [including Norman Luxton, Jackie White, Fern Brewster, Tex Woods, the Moore family, the Brewster family, Earl Spencer, Barbara Carpenter White, Allan Mather, Fred Armbrister, Betty Painter, Belmore Browne, Mary Schaffer Warren, Frances James, Vic Kutschera, Carl Rungius, Frances and Murray Adaskin, Charlie Beil, Lila White Stockand, Norman Knight, Rupe and Chessy Edwards, Cyril Paris, Ted Paris, Dorothy White, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Oakes [from Boston], Dan McCowan, Mr. Polenski, Mr. Kingsman, and Annie White].
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and those of the Jewish faith used throughout is outdated and offensive. Some items were stapled together and therefore scanned together as one document.
Letters are all handwritten and include some hotel and camp letterheads. 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 also have numbers written in pencil crayon, believed to be from when originally processed.
File pertains to 58 handwritten and typewritten letters by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb between April 1933 and September 1933. Topics include news from Concord, daily life in Banff, the fire at Bretton Hall, Peter out painting and sketching, Sam Ward continuously adding cab…
1.3 cm of textual records (173 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to 58 handwritten and typewritten letters by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb between April 1933 and September 1933. Topics include news from Concord, daily life in Banff, the fire at Bretton Hall, Peter out painting and sketching, Sam Ward continuously adding cabinets and cupboards to the Whyte Home, Catharine practicing typewriting and the beginning of some typewritten letters to her mother, the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. John Walker, moving a cabin on the property for their Stoney friends to stay in while they paint portraits, selling two sketches, various baking recipes from Edith, Peter painting Mark Poucette, a visit from children from the Mountain School, Peter and Catharine visiting the west coast [via Bonners Ferry and Spokane] and seeing Fern Brewster in Vancouver, writing Mrs. Paley, attending the Calgary Stampede, painting J.D. Curren, painting David Bearspaw, hiking at Lake O'Hara with Skyline Trail Hikers [with participant names], a visit with Mary Vaux in Banff, a Pacific Relations Conference at the Banff Springs Hotel and cleaning the house expecting visits from participants, Catharine discussing Adolf Hitler with a Swiss man visiting the house, a boat trip with the White Family and Allen Mather to Lake Minnewanka, meeting Mr. Anasaki from the Conference [an old friend of Edward Morse] and looking at Catharine's Japanese collection with Mr. Miyoaka and Mr. Takaki, Peter taking photographs at the Indigenous Camp during Banff Indian Days, Peter receiving a beaded coat from Mrs. Jonie, buying some items from the Indigenous Camp that belonged to Old Hector [Crawler?], Jackie heading east to meet Barbara before the birth of their child, and Peter and Catharine heading east via the United States to attend the World Fair and visit Edith Morse Robb and then family in Gorham, Maine.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and those of the Jewish faith used throughout is outdated and offensive.
Letters are all handwritten and typewritten and include some hotel, business and camp letterheads. 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 also have numbers written in pencil crayon, believed to be from when originally processed.
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 6 to July 30, 1935. Topics include travelling back to Banff from Montreal on the train, cleaning and household chores, the Winter Carnival, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, wa…
1.7 cm of textual records (89 pages ; 21.5 x 27.8 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 February 6 to July 30, 1935. Topics include travelling back to Banff from Montreal on the train, cleaning and household chores, the Winter Carnival, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, watching hockey games and curling matches, weather, photography and cameras, events and people in Concord, going to Skoki to ski, going to the movies and seeing friend's homemade films, the birth of Russ and Kitty's first child Gale in late February [Edith's first grandchild], watching ski races at Norquay, converting an outbuilding from a garage/one bedroom into a garage/darkroom, dinner and tea parties [both at home and around town], sketching/painting, discussions of operas Edith has seen, Pete going to Vancouver for a few days in mid-April to help his parents [Dave was advised to go to sea level by doctors to help with ailments he'd been having], wildlife, developing photos and print-making, various holidays [both Canadian and American], descriptions of meals and various recipes, yardwork and redoing the driveway, Catharine going to Concord for a month [mid-May to mid-June], construction of a new road to Norquay ski camp, Pete constructing a cover for the back of their truck to be used for camping, going to Calgary for the Stampede, Banff Indian Days, and camping trips around Lake Louise and Yoho National Park.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly hand-written, some typed - typed letters often have hand-written post scripts.
A few letters written on lodge/hotel letterhead.
Most 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 have numbers written in pencil or red pencil crayon in the upper margin of the first pages from an unknown project.
97 - 16 contains a sketch of the garage outbuilding and the plans to convert half of it into a darkroom.
File pertains to 44 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to November 20, 1935. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a trip to Lake O'Hara in early August following the annual Skyline Trail Hikers tri…
1 cm of textual records (70 pages ; 21.2 x 26.3 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 44 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to November 20, 1935. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a trip to Lake O'Hara in early August following the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip, photography and cameras, hiking/climbing, wildflowers, activities and people at camp, Pete's work on commission paintings/photography projects, events and people in Concord, trips to Bow Lake to paint, dinner and tea parties [both at home and around town], overnight camping trips to Lake Louise to paint, going to the movies and seeing friend's homemade films, going back to Lake O'Hara in early September to paint and hike, Russ and Kitty's travels and activities, day trips around the National Park [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Moraine Lake] to paint/sketch, updates on what Pete and Catharine's friends are doing [mostly as it pertains to Skoki and Assiniboine Lodges], wildlife, an overnight trip to Calgary [and a visit to Morley on the way back] in early October, 3 young Doukhobor fugitives escaping police custody that resulted in a chase and shootout in Banff National Park [October 6 - 7] and the subsequent funerals, developing photos and print-making, politics [mostly pertaining to the provincial and federal elections], various holidays [both Canadian and American], skiing, matters pertaining to the Ski Club, and preparing to leave for a trip to Concord at the end of November.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
A few letters written on lodge letterhead.
Most 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 have numbers written in pencil in the upper margin of the first pages from an unknown project.
File pertains to 17 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 8 to March 9, 1936. Topics include travelling from New York to Austria via England in mid-January, activities aboard ship [including descriptions of the ship itself and other passen…
1.5 cm of textual records (62 pages ; 22.4 x 28.9 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 17 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 8 to March 9, 1936. Topics include travelling from New York to Austria via England in mid-January, activities aboard ship [including descriptions of the ship itself and other passengers], the death of the King George V while Pete and Catharine are in London, books Catharine and Edith are reading, travelling to the mainland and arriving in Innsbruck [Austria], travelling to Obergurgl by train, meeting new people, exploring the local towns and cities, skiing and ski lessons [mostly for Catharine], architecture, descriptions of local landscapes, people and events in Concord, photography and cameras, visiting local historic churches, going to museums and galleries, watching Olympic ski races and other skiing events in Garmisch Bavaria, meeting with friends, descriptions of different kinds of snow and skiing conditions, travelling to Zurich at the end of February, making a short trip to Murren and Gindlewald Switzerland before returning to Zurich, and then making preparations to return to Canada in early March. Also includes newspaper clippings and brochures for the Hotel Goldener Adler in Innsbruck and the area of Obergurgl.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Most letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
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 have been numbered in pencil in the upper margin of the first page for an unknown project.
Inserts 1-5 have been seperated from their accompanying letters at an unknown point.
File pertains to a photograph album containing photographs from various trips taken by Lillian Gest, some of which include Alpine Club of Canada Annual Trips, and Christmas cards sent to Gest by various friends and club members. Greeting cards are dated from 1938-1948.
Contents include:
1938: [Alpi…
1 album (306 photographs : b&w ; 23 x 18 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album containing photographs from various trips taken by Lillian Gest, some of which include Alpine Club of Canada Annual Trips, and Christmas cards sent to Gest by various friends and club members. Greeting cards are dated from 1938-1948.
Contents include:
1938: [Alpine Club camp, Columbia Icefields; Maligne Lake and canyon, Caroline Hinman trip; Banff; Lake Louise; Christian Hasler].
1939: [Ptarmigan Lake; Crosby Lake; Mount Vaux, Mount Ennis and Hanbury Peak; Ice River Valley; Goodsirs; Kate Gardiner; Phyllis Munday; Eric Brooks; Charles Hunter ranch, Pincher Creek; postcards of Washington and Oregon].
1940: [Mount Athabasca; Lyell Glacier; Wapta River; Christian Hasler; Mount Waddington, Phyllis and Don Munday].
1941: [Banff Indian Days; climbing Mount Odaray].
1942: [Three Sisters; White Man's Pass area; Grassi Lakes; Bow River; Banff Indian Days; Lake Louise area; Mounts Temple, Fay and Pinnacle; Mount Quadra; Mount Neptuak from Tower of Babel].
1943: [Lake O'Hara, Alpine Club camp; Browne home, Banff; Mount Edith].
1946: [Bow Lake; Jimmy and Billie Simpson; St. Nicholas Peak].
1948?: [Lake Minnewanka; Bow Lake; Mount Chephren; Peyto Glacier; Mount Rhonda; Dolomite Peak; Mummery Group; Freshfields; Mount Baker; Sherbrooke Lake; Mount Daly; Mount Balfour].
Inserts pertain to two typed text letters from Caroline Hinman to Lillian Gest and discuss various Off the Beaten Track information.
Notes
Blank pages not scanned.
Inserts are photocopies of the originals that were included with the album.
Microfilm copy available for reference use by appointment only.
Language
English
Conservation
Removed from plastic sleeve and rehoused in acid-free paper, tied with flat string.
Locate original copies of inserts and return them to PD - 11 Documents file - notes on the backs of the inserts note that the originals were moved to M67 but the documents could not be found.