Fonds consists of organizational records including photographs, brochures, correspondence and other documents which are divided into five series [see Content Details]. Content pertains to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, including the organization's history, members and staff, trail rides …
ca.340 cm of textual records -- 1191 photographs (691 prints, 312 transparencies, 188 negatives) -- 11 photograph albums -- 4 motion pictures -- 7 discs (1,214 digital images, 1 slideshow)
History / Biographical
The Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies is a trail riding organization based in Calgary, Alberta. The organization was established in 1923 with the support of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The first ride was held in 1924, and annual summer trail rides and pow-wows attracted fifteen hundred members by 1929. Many notable residents of the Bow Valley, including members of the Brewster and Moore families, Catherine Robb and Peter Whyte, and Carl Rungius have participated in trail rides. Support from the Canadian Pacific Railway ended in 1961. As of 2020, the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies remains an active organization.
LISTING OF TRAIL RIDE LOCATIONS:
1924 : Yoho Valley
1925 : Marble Canyon, Wolverine Plateau, Goodsir Plateau, Lake O'Hara, Lake Wapta, Sun Dance Lodge
1926 : Baker Lake, Shaki, Molar Peak, Bow Lake, Mosquito Creek, Ptarmigan Valley
1927 : Mountain Assiniboine, Brewster Creek, Magag Lake, Sunshine Camp, Simpson Pass; Jasper, Portal Creek, Maccarib Pass, Tonquin Valley, Meadow Creek, Calendone River
1928 : Lake of Hanging Glaciers; Horse Thief Creek, Windermere
1929 : Egypt Lake, Shadow Lake, Twin Lake; Lake Louise, Columbia Icefields
1930 : Red Earth Creek, Hawk Creek, Floe Lake, Wolverine Pass, Marble Canyon
1931 : Bankhead, Cascade River, Stewart Canyon, Stoney Creek, Baker Creek, Sawback Lake
1932 : Mount Assiniboine and Banff Springs Hotel terrace (Pow-wow)
1933 : Mosquito Creek, Bow Lake, Isabella Lake, Pipestone River, Lake Louise
1934 : Leanchoil, Shining Beauty camp, Goodsir mountain, Wolverine Plateau, Marble Canyon
1935 : Windy Camp, Snow Creek Pass, Scotch Cabin, Baker Lake, Ptarmigan Valley, Lake Louise Station (pow-wow)
1936 : Johnston Canyon, Pulsatilla Mountain, Badger Pass, Forty Mile Creek, Hillsdale Meadows
1937 : Mount Assiniboine, Lake Magog, Valley of the Rocks, Simpson Pass, Healy Creek
1938 : Carrot Creek, Lake Minnewanka, Middle Lake, Devil Gap, Ghost River, Mount Aylmer, Aylmer Pass
1939 : Healy Creek, Egypt Lake, Scarab Lake, Shadow Lakes, Twin Lakes, Taylor Lake, Moraine Lake
1940 : Marble Canyon, Helmet Creek, Ottertail River, Lake McArthur, Chateau Lake Louise
1941 : Mount Assiniboine, Canmore, spray Lakes, Valley of Rocks, Simpson Summit, Rock Isle Lake, Healy Creek
1942 : Larix Lake, Egypt Lake, Twin Lakes, Storm Mountain
1943 : Healy Creek warden's cabin, Brewater Creek, Fatigue Pass, Quartz hill, Simpson Summit, Sunshine Lodge, Eohippus lake, Mount Assiniboine
1944 : Healy Creek, Brewster Creek, Quartz Hill, Lake Eohippus, Red Earth Creek
1945 : Baker Lake
1946 : Panther River (Windy Camp), Snow Creek, Harrison Lake, Panther Falls
1947 : Monard Mountain, Healy Creek, Redearth Creek
1948 : Sunshine and Simpson River
1949 : Molar Mountain area
1950 : Palliser Pass
1951 : Goodsirs
1952 : Harvey Pass, Healy Creek, Egypt Lake
1953 : Baker Lakes
1954 : Mount Assiniboine, Magog Lake
1955 : Pulsatilla Pass area
1956 : Pipestone area
1957 : Panther River, Windy Camp, Dormer Pass, Snow Creek
1958 : Mount Assiniboine
1959 : Palliser Pass area [Bunny Robinson paints new teepee designs]
1960 : Pipestone area, north of Lake Louise
1961 : Goodsirs Mountains, McArthur Creek, Wolverine Pass [Volume 102, CPR publication last issue - CPR pulls sponsorship of association]
1962 : Pipestone and Skoki Valley areas
1963 : Simpson Summit, Healy Creek, Harvey Pass, Egypt Lake
1964 : Bryant Creek Meadows, Mount Assiniboine
1965 : Palliser Pass
1966 : Ptarmigan Valley, north of Lake Louise
1967 : Palliser Pass
1968 : Bryant Creek Meadows, Mount Assiniboine
1969 : Pulsatilla Pass
1970 : Egypt Lake area
1971 : Pipestone region
1972 : Shadow Lakes
1973 : Palliser Pass [50th anniversary]
1974 : Pulsatilla Pass area, Johnson Creek Meadows
1975 : Pipestone River area : Molar Glacier, Skoki Lakes, Merlin Lakes, hector Plateau, Fish Lakes
1976 : Cascade Valley region : Elk Lake summit, Stoney Creek, Dormer Pass
1977 : Mount Assiniboine
1978 : Palliser Pass area : Upper Spray River
1979 : Pulsatilla Pass area : Indian Paint Pots, Johnston Creek Meadows
1980 : Panther River region
1981 : Red Deer River region : Divide Creek, Tyrell Creek, Horseshoe Lake, Panther Ridge
1982 : Bryant Creek, Og Pass, Owl and Marvel Lakes, Allenby Pass, Assiniboine Pass, Lake Magog
1983 : Upper Pipestone River region: Red Deer Lake, Skoki Lakes, Hector Plateau, Singing Meadows [60th Anniversary]
1984 : Panther River region
1985 : Palliser Pass : Goat Ridge, Tumble Creek Falls, Spray Lakes, Birdwood Mountain, Leman Lake, White Man Pass
1986 : Johnston Creek, Badger Pass and Pulsatilla Pass; Safari expeditions: Kananaskis Country, Pipestone River , Front Range, Clearwater, Kootenay Plains
1987 : Red Deer River
1988 : Pipestone River
1989 : Panther River
1990 : Palliser Pass
1991 : Red Deer River
1992 : Bryant Creek
1993 : Pipestone River
1994 : Johnston Creek
1995 : Palliser Pass
1996 : Red Deer River
1997 : Bryant Creek
1998 : Panther River
1999 : Pipestone River
2000 : Johnston Creek
2001 : Palliser Pass
2002 : Yamnuska and Ghost Mountain
2003 : Bryant Creek
2004 : Cascade Valley and Mystic Lake
2005 : Sundance and Halfway Lodge
2006 : Waterton Park
2007 : Clearwater River
2008 : Kananaskis
2009 : Johnston Creek
2010 : Stoney Creek and Flint's Valley
2011 : Rock Lake and Solomon Creek
2012 : Kananaskis
2013 : Bryant Creek
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of organizational records including photographs, brochures, correspondence and other documents which are divided into five series [see Content Details]. Content pertains to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, including the organization's history, members and staff, trail rides and other events, publications and advertising, finances, and administration.
Notes
Fonds has been reorganized by Processing Archivist Kate Skelton and content from all accessions prior to 2019 has been integrated into new series. Content from accessions 5757 and 5939 have been renumbered; storage of files adjusted to accommodate most recent donations [accn. 8235 & accn. 2014.8277]
Some files contain personal contact information including full names, home addresses, email addresses and phone numbers [see file-level entries under M545/V635 for specific contents and restrictions]
Series I - Events and Activities: Records include ride notes and summaries [1968-2009], songs and poems performed during trail rides, documents and images pertaining to the Townsend Trophy photograph competition, and materials related to other events including trail ride anniversary events and round-ups.
Series II - Members, Staff, Personal Content : Records include lists of trail ride participants, documents from camp coordinators and other trail ride staff, personal photographs, committee notes, personal correspondence and trail ride surveys from 1958-2009
Series III - Published Records : Records include newsletters, brochures, promotional material, news articles and other published content
Series IV - Financial Records : Records include tax records, income statements, expense notes, receipts, payment information for members, budgets, price lists and funding applications
Series V - Administrative Records : Records include administrative notes, inventories and checklists, meeting minutes and agendas, legal and administrative forms, and agreements with outfitting and supply companies
Fonds consists of photographs, published booklets and film reels which belonged to William Royle. Content pertains to the Banff Boy Scouts: local events, including Banff Winter Carnival, Banff Indian Days and Banff's Centennial Parade in 1967; hiking, camping, skiing and other recreational activiti…
ca.348 photographs (204 b&w and col. prints, 144 col. transparencies) -- 0.5 cm of textual records -- 7 film reels
History / Biographical
William "Bill" Royle (1905-1980) moved to Banff from Lethbridge in 1952 with his mother (Mary Elizabeth) and two young sons (Bernard and Walter), following the death of his wife. William started the business Banff Plumbing and Heating Ltd., which he operated until his death. William and his brother, John J. Royle, were also involved with a laundromat business in Banff. From its inception in 1953, William also worked as director and president of the Banff Park Savings and Credit Union (now Bow Valley Credit Union). In his spare time, William volunteered with the Banff Boy Scouts, as well as St. Mary's Church in Banff, the Seniors' Society and the Alberta Council of the Aging.
William's son, Bernard, tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1969 while searching for new heliskiing routes in British Columbia with his friend, John Gow, who survived.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographs, published booklets and film reels which belonged to William Royle. Content pertains to the Banff Boy Scouts: local events, including Banff Winter Carnival, Banff Indian Days and Banff's Centennial Parade in 1967; hiking, camping, skiing and other recreational activities; Bernard Royle and friends; the Banff High School curling team; natural views and wildlife in Alberta and British Columbia; and other related subjects.
Includes three visual series: I - Prints ; II - Motion pictures ; III - Transparencies. Series I includes five sub-series: A - Boy Scouts [includes o.s. items] ; B - Banff Indian Days ; C - Banff Winter Carnival ; D - St. Mary's Baptist Church ; E - Misc.
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, …
ca. 7.9 metres of textual records -- ca. 274 maps -- 29 VHS tapes -- ca.15 discs with digital files -- 21 cassettes -- photographs -- oversized materials -- USB stick with 15 sldeshows
History / Biographical
Ben Gadd (1946-) is a retired naturalist, guide, geologist, instructor, freelance writer and award-winning author based in the Canadian Rockies.
Ben was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1946. He met his wife, Cia (Langdon) Gadd at Colorado College in 1965, and the couple married four weeks later. Ben and Cia had two sons, Will and Toby. Ben and his family relocated to Jasper in the late 1960s. Ben later attended the University of Lethbridge and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science in 1972.
Between 1976 and 1980, Ben taught classes at Mount Royal College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; he later taught additional classes at Grant MacEwan College and Lakeland College. From 1981, Ben also worked as a seasonal naturalist/guide for Parks Canada. Ben left Parks Canada in 1985 to start an independent naturalist guiding business with Cia based in Jasper and other parts of the Canadian Rockies, which the couple continued to operate for over two decades.
Ben published his best-known work, "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", through his publishing company Corax Press in 1986. The second edition of "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies" received multiple awards after its release in 1995. Ben's fiction book, "Raven's End" won the title of Best Canadian Rockies Book at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2001 and became a Canadian bestseller. Overall, Ben has authored or co-authored 11 books and received nearly one dozen awards for his achievements as a writer, researcher and guide.
Ben continued to lead guided hikes and school programs until his retirement in 2016.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, video and sound recordings, and other related material. Materials donated in 2024 include one USB stick containing
Notes
Ben Gadd fonds arrangement:
Series I : Personal records
- Subseries A : Travel guides and maps
- Subseries B : Education and early writings
- Subseries C : Personal interest files
- Subseries D : Other personal and collected
Series II : Research and publication records
- Subseries A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
- Subseries B : Other publications
Series III : Professional records
- Subseries A : Parks Canada Records
- Subseries B : Interpretive guiding
- Subseries C : Teaching records
- Subseries D : Other contracts and projects
Series IV : Legal and financial records
- Subseries A : Legal records
- Subseries B : Financial records
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life…
ca.441 col. transparency slides : 35 mm -- 14 col. neg. film strips (49 images) : 35 mm -- ca.1.5 cm textual records
History / Biographical
Clinton Bruce Hatfield (1926-2009) was born in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from Western Canada High School in 1945, Bruce attended the University of Alberta, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948, a Master of Science degree in 1951, and a Medical Degree in 1953. Bruce interned at the University of Alberta Hospital before moving to Minneapolis in 1957, where he worked as an Instructor in Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospital (1958-1959). Bruce moved back to Calgary and opened a private medical practice with his brother, Bob Hatfield. While operating his private practice, Bruce also served on several committees at the Calgary Hospital, including the Intern Committee, Library Committee, Medical Education Committee, Pharmacy Committee (of which he was Chair in 1966), and the Department of Medicine Committee. Bruce was hired as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in 1970, and was Clinical Professor of Medicine when he retired in 1994.
Bruce was active as an educator and volunteer in his community, and supported numerous charitable initiatives through the United Church of Canada. He gave public presentations on the topics of Family Life and Sex Education throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Bruce also served as a Trail Doctor for the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies on numerous trips between 1963 and 1995. Bruce was also a talented photographer; his photographs were featured in multiple publications including Macleans magazine, Canadian Doctor, and Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Bruce was the recipient of many awards including Calgary’s Citizen of the Year (1970), the Premier’s Cup (1983), an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Calgary (1995) and most recently was chosen as one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century (2005). Bruce and his brother, Bob, were co-recipients of the Alberta Achievement Award and the Premier's Cup for Excellence in Medicine and the Community.
Bruce was married to his wife, Kathleen, for 55 years and the couple raised four daughters together: Linda, Barbara, Sue and Kate.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Dr. Bruce Hatfield's excursions with the Trail Riders between 1963-1995 and his role as Trail Doctor. Fonds includes ca.441 transparency slides with images primarily taken by Bruce during trail rides, 1963-1994, depicting fellow ride participants, camp life, wildlife, and landscapes; 14 colour negative film strips (49 images) depicting scenes from a trail ride in 1995; collected correspondence pertaining to trail rides and administrative work; medical reports from trail rides; and collected riders' lists and related material.
Fonds consists of four series: I. Personal, II. Professional, III. Activities, IV. Brewster family. I. Personal series, 1905-1982, 18 cm of textual records, 160 photographs, 2 sound recordings. Includes correspondence, interview and recorded conversation, address/notebook, artwork, other textua…
ca.80 cm of textual material. -- ca.900 photographs : prints, postcards, transparencies, negatives, copy negatives. -- 1 photograph album (50 prints). -- 3 sound recordings : audio tape cassettes
History / Biographical
Forrest Oliver "Pat" Brewster, 1896-1982, was a trail guide, outfitter and businessman in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Pat was a native and life-long resident of Banff. As a boy, he was an active Boy Scout and, by age seventeen, was a big game guide. After serving in World War I, Brewster established the first permanent camp at Lake O'Hara for the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1926, he took over the Brewster Transport Company outfitting business from his brothers, Bill and Jim. In the 1930s, he became involved in skiing explorations in the Assiniboine, Skoki and Sunshine areas. Pat Brewster was active in community affairs and, in his later years, was an avid historian of the region. He published three books of reminiscences between 1975 and 1982.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of four series: I. Personal, II. Professional, III. Activities, IV. Brewster family.
I. Personal series, 1905-1982, 18 cm of textual records, 160 photographs, 2 sound recordings. Includes correspondence, interview and recorded conversation, address/notebook, artwork, other textual records, photographs.
II. Professional series, 1892-1982, 47.5 cm of textual records, 266 photographs, 1 sound recording. Includes papers pertaining to various Brewster family and other businesses, writing papers and sound recording, and photographs pertaining to guiding and outfitting, tourism promotion and other.
III. Activities series, 1841-1983, 6.5 cm of textual records, 262 photographs. Pertains to genealogical research, other activities and collected material.
IV. Brewster family series, 1841-1981, 2.5 cm of textual records, 132 photographs. Pertains to Brewster family, Jack Brewster, John Brewster, Pearl Brewster Moore and the Moore family.
Fonds consist of papers and photographs produced and collected by Lawrence Grassi. Textual records consist of correspondence, 1918-1979, from family in Italy and organizations and individuals in Canada; personal papers, 1912-1975; publications and ephemera from organizations, including the Alpine C…
ca.25 cm of textual records. -- ca.2300 photographs : prints, transparencies, negatives. -- 1 photograph album (180 prints)
History / Biographical
Lawrence Grassi, 1890-1980, was a miner and mountaineer at Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Grassi was born in Falmenta, Italy and emigrated to Canada in 1912, working first as a section man for the Canadian Pacific Railway and from 1916 to 1945 as a miner for Canmore Mines. Grassi distinguished himself in solo mountain climbing and as an unofficial guide to many other mountaineers. Grassi is best remembered for trail building activities. J. S. Woodsworth led support for legislation to change the name of Twin Lakes in White Man Pass to Grassi Lakes in recognition of this work. As assistant warden at Lake O'Hara, British Columbia, Grassi upgraded and built numerous trails for which he received many honours in later life.
Scope & Content
Fonds consist of papers and photographs produced and collected by Lawrence Grassi.
Textual records consist of correspondence, 1918-1979, from family in Italy and organizations and individuals in Canada; personal papers, 1912-1975; publications and ephemera from organizations, including the Alpine Club of Canada, Canadian Youth Hostels Association, Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; newsclippings, articles and other material pertaining to Grassi and mountaineering.
Photographs pertain mainly to mountain scenery of Alberta and British Columbia, particularly Banff National Park, Lake O'Hara and region, Jasper National Park, Mount Assiniboine and region, Grotto Mountain and Grassi Lakes, ca.1930-ca.1970. Also includes views of Lawrence Grassi, family and friends, ca.1880-ca.1970, and group of unidentified portraits, ca.1880- ca.1900. Transparencies are mainly unidentified colour mountain scenics. Most views are by Grassi; some are by Richard Rushworth and F. V. Longstaff.
Fonds consists of club records. Textual records include by-laws, 1979; minutes, 1949-1984; presidents' records, 1974-1983; financial records, membership records and dues receipts; newsletters, 1978-1994; clippings and articles, after 1946; Lake O'Hara region south area map elements and published ve…
ca. 34 cm of textual records. -- 630 photographs : transparencies, prints
History / Biographical
The Lake O'Hara Trails Club was established 1948, dissolved in 1962 and reactivated in 1969 to create, improve and maintain a system of trails in the Lake O'Hara region of Yoho National Park, British Columbia. Later work involved providing information on the region to visitors, publishing maps and historical works, and continuing the efforts of founders, George K. K. Link and A. Carson Simpson.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of club records.
Textual records include by-laws, 1979; minutes, 1949-1984; presidents' records, 1974-1983; financial records, membership records and dues receipts; newsletters, 1978-1994; clippings and articles, after 1946; Lake O'Hara region south area map elements and published versions; and correspondence between Dr. George K. K. Link, members and others, 1960-1978.
Photographs consist mainly of Lake O'Hara Trails Club slide library pertaining to landscape, flora and fauna of the region, also portraits of Dr. Link; ca.1950-1981; 625 items. Photographers / contributors to slide library include Lillian Gest, D. M. Hehir, Frank and Ruth Henderson, Jane Hopkinson, John Hutchinson, Richard Turnbull and others. Prints pertain to ascent of Mount Lefroy, 1925, 5 items.
Fonds consist of papers and photographs pertaining to Lizzie Rummel, her career and her family. Textual records consist mainly of correspondence, 1930-1980, mostly incoming. Also includes personal papers, 1902, 1926-1980, and records pertaining to Mount Assiniboine concerns, Skoki area, ski touring…
60 cm of textual records. -- ca.2200 photographs : prints, postcards, transparencies, negatives. -- 5 photograph albums (400 prints). -- 2 sound recordings : audio tape reels
History / Biographical
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rummel, 1897-1980, was a lodge owner and operator at Banff National Park, Alberta and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Rummel was born Elisabeth von Rummel to an aristocratic German family. With her mother and sisters, she ranched near Millarville, Alberta, after being stranded there during the First World War. In 1938, Lizzie moved to the mountains and became involved in early ski and backcountry operations. Her forty-two year career in the mountains included: working at Mount Assiniboine Lodge until 1942; managing Skoki Lodge and, at various times, Temple Chalet and Lake Louise Ski Lodge, ca.1943-1950; owning and operating Sunburst Lake Camp, 1950-1970; and working as assistant and oral history interviewer at the Archives of the Canadian Rockies (now the Archives of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies) from 1966 to 1980. Lizzie was active in the town affairs of Canmore, Alberta, where she lived, as well as in various conservation and recreation organizations. She became a member of the Order of Canada in 1980.
Scope & Content
Fonds consist of papers and photographs pertaining to Lizzie Rummel, her career and her family.
Textual records consist mainly of correspondence, 1930-1980, mostly incoming. Also includes personal papers, 1902, 1926-1980, and records pertaining to Mount Assiniboine concerns, Skoki area, ski touring, Al Gaetz and Lawrence Grassi. Correspondents include Charlie Hunter, Ernest Lamarque and Erling Strom.
Photographs include four series: I. Professional and trips, 1903-1978, n.d., ca.1400 items; pertaining to Mount Assiniboine Camp and region, Sunburst Lake camp and region, Skoki Lodge and region, and trips and views in the Canadian Rockies and B.C., and including activities such as skiing, mountaineering and backcountry travel. II. Personal, ca.1898-1980, ca.485 items; pertaining to the Rummel Ranch, Rummel family and friends, Lizzie Rummel and friends and associates, other. III. Travels, 1936-1973, ca.145 items; pertaining to travels in Europe, Yukon and N.W.T. and other. IV. Other, 1912-1977, n.d., ca.140 items; pertaining to Indians, John Ware and other. Includes material by numerous photographers, including Arnold Brigden.
Sound recordings are Rummel reading in German and French from the guidebooks of Edward Feuz Jr. and Sr., 1969, and a practice tape by Rummel as an archives interviewer, 197-?
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse …
25 m of textual records. -- ca.46,000 photographs : prints, albums, postcards, cased photographs, transparencies, negatives. -- 178 sound recordings : audio tape reels, audio tape cassettes. -- 6 motion pictures (and film strips)
History / Biographical
Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929.
Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney First Nations. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney First Nations. Catharine also supported causes related to multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died in Banff in 1979.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recordings of Peter and Catharine Whyte and the papers and photographs of their respective families. Consists of three sous-fonds: V683, S37 and M36. M36 and S37 consists of three series. Series I: Peter and Catharine Whyte, Series II: Robb and Morse families, Series III: White and Curren families. Within Series I, there are four Sub-series: Series: A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers; B. Peter Whyte papers; C. Peter and Catharine Whyte papers accessioned after 2017; D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings.
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpin…
ca.42 m of textual records. -- ca.12,500 photographs: prints, stereographic prints, transparencies, slides, negatives, postcards. -- 85 photograph albums. -- 8 motion pictures: films, video recordings. -- 3 sound recordings
History / Biographical
The Alpine Club of Canada, the national mountaineering club, was co-founded in 1906 by A. O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, and other like-minded climbers. The club espoused scientific study and exploration, cultivation of art, public education, acquisition of climbing skills, and preservation of natural areas within the mountainous regions of Canada. Through a national executive, local sections and volunteer committees, the club provided climbing camps, clubhouse, huts, and publications, including the Canadian Alpine Journal. ACC expeditions and projects resulted in pioneer exploration, first ascents, and included mountain warfare training during the Second World War. In recent years, the club's membership has increased dramatically with the popularity of climbing and its programs have evolved to serve the needs of unguided climbers using sophisticated technical aids.
Scope & Content
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpine Club itself.
The fonds consists of four Sous-fonds: I. Alpine Club of Canada records; II. Mount Everest Expedition (1982) records; III. Personal papers and photographs; IV. Other material. Club administration records (series I.A.) pertain to executive positions; head office; finance; camps, climbing and treks; expeditions; huts and properties; clubhouses; library; publications; photography; other committees; other activities; and other. Other club records include section records (series I.B.), hut registers and summit records (series I.C.).
Fonds pertains to L. A. Duncan; Duncan family; Banff, Alberta and area; Alpine Club of Canada camps, especially 1919 Victory Camp (Yoho Valley); Rocky Mountains scenes, wildflowers and wildlife; Indians; Calgary and area events; oil industry; Alberta scenes and landscapes. Photograph series are: I.…
ca.950 photographs : albums, negatives, prints, transparencies. -- 5 photograph albums (ca.725 prints). -- 2 textual records
History / Biographical
Lawrence (Laurie, Larry) Allison Duncan, 1890-1978, was a photographer, businessman and collector at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Duncan came to Alberta in 1908 with his parents, Thomas Henry Duncan and Elizabeth Jane (Gill) Duncan, who settled on a ranch at Okotoks. For a time, Laurie Duncan operated a photography business in Calgary, specializing in views of Calgary, Indians, ranching and the Canadian Rockies. He attended Alpine Club of Canada camps in the 1920s, after becoming a member in 1920 with his graduating climb of Mount President, 1919. He was active in professional photography into the 1930s. Duncan was self-taught in mineralogy, painting and photography and was active for over fifty years in the development of mining and petroleum interests in the United States and Canada. Larry Duncan was an avid collector of shells, gems, rocks, fossils and cultural artifacts.
Scope & Content
Fonds pertains to L. A. Duncan; Duncan family; Banff, Alberta and area; Alpine Club of Canada camps, especially 1919 Victory Camp (Yoho Valley); Rocky Mountains scenes, wildflowers and wildlife; Indians; Calgary and area events; oil industry; Alberta scenes and landscapes.
Photograph series are: I. Photograph albums, including Duncan family albums, ca.1880-ca.1910, 3 items (ca.400 prints), and L. A. Duncan albums, 1908-1950, 2 items (ca.300 prints); II. Negatives, including glass negatives, ca.1920, 146 items, and film negatives, ca.1910-ca.1950, ca.580 items (including prints); III. Prints, ca.1890-ca.1940, ca.200 items, includes some prints by Harry Pollard; IV. Transparencies, ca.1915, 18 items. Most photographs were made by L. A. Duncan.
Textual items are ACC membership nomination ballot, 1919-1920, signed by L. A. Duncan, and newsclipping, 1965, re Duncan's involvement in the Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club.
Fonds pertains to trips made by Fallis and the Vancouver Section of the Alpine Club of Canada to: Mount Baker Park, Cascade Mountains, U.S.A., 195-; Waites Hut in the Tonquin Valley, 1955; Moat Lake camp, 1957; Outpost Lake, 1957-1958, 1968; Mummery Camp, 1958; Tantalus Hut opening, Coast Range, 19…
323 photographs : transparencies, print, album page, ca.2.3 cm
History / Biographical
Mary Fallis, b.1927, is a mountaineer and Alpine Club of Canada member who lives at Prince George, B.C. She has been active in the Vancouver section of the Alpine Club of Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds pertains to trips made by Fallis and the Vancouver Section of the Alpine Club of Canada to: Mount Baker Park, Cascade Mountains, U.S.A., 195-; Waites Hut in the Tonquin Valley, 1955; Moat Lake camp, 1957; Outpost Lake, 1957-1958, 1968; Mummery Camp, 1958; Tantalus Hut opening, Coast Range, 1961 or 1962; Eremite Camp, 1963; also includes ice schools and climbs. Fallis identified images on the mounts and lists are for some sets.
Fonds consists of photographs, 1911-ca.1958; professional papers, 1901-1957; letters, 1941-1961; scrapbook, 1923-1972; and newsclippings, 1969. Photographs pertain mainly to mountaineering trips and climbs, mainly led by Edward Feuz Jr. in the Rocky and Selkirk Mountains, and includes many first as…
ca.1820 photographs (ca.700 prints, ca.170 negatives, ca.950 transparencies). -- 1 photograph album (ca.180 prints). -- 4 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Edward Feuz Jr., 1884-1981, was a Canadian Pacific Railway mountain guide at Lake Louise, Alberta and Glacier and Golden, British Columbia, Canada. Feuz was the son of one of the first Swiss Guides brought to Canada by the Canadian Pacific Railway. He climbed at Field and Glacier House in 1903 with his father and guided during summers from 1905 to 1912, settling that year in the Edelweiss Village at Golden, British Columbia. Until his retirement in the 1950s, he accompanied the finest climbers and was involved in over seventy first ascents of peaks over 3048 metres.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of photographs, 1911-ca.1958; professional papers, 1901-1957; letters, 1941-1961; scrapbook, 1923-1972; and newsclippings, 1969.
Photographs pertain mainly to mountaineering trips and climbs, mainly led by Edward Feuz Jr. in the Rocky and Selkirk Mountains, and includes many first ascents. Many photographs were taken by clients who sent copies to Feuz. Photographs also pertain to clients, associates and friends, Lake Louise Chalet and Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise area, Feuz homes at Edelweiss and Golden, and scenic views in the Rocky and Selkirk Mountains. Negatives are largely unidentified. Original colour transparencies by Edward Feuz, ca.1950-ca.1976, pertain to trips and scenic views in the Rocky Mountains. ; Professional papers include: Feuz's fuhrer-buch (guidebook) containing his certification as a Swiss Guide and testimonials from clients in Switzerland and Canada, 1901-1957; certificate of life membership, Alpine Club of Canada, 1947; and records of climbs re the Chateau Lake Louise, 1913-1930. Letters, scrapbook and clippings all pertain to Feuz's career, clients and mountaineering.
Also includes fuhrer-buch of Edward Feuz Sr., 1859-1944, Switzerland and Glacier, B.C.
Fonds documents Lillian Gest's visits and travels in the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere. Pertains to mountain travel, particularly pack trips, camps, mountaineering and recreation; Alpine Club of Canada; Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; natural and human history; the mountain landsca…
1.1 m of textual records. -- ca.7400 photographs : transparencies, prints, negatives, published photographs. -- 12 photograph albums (4208 prints). -- 47 motion pictures. -- 7 sound recordings : audio tape cassettes
History / Biographical
Lillian Gest, 1897-1986, of Merion, Pennsylvania visited the Canadian Rockies almost every summer for sixty years, beginning in 1921. She was an active participant in "Off the Beaten Track" trips organized by Caroline Hinman between 1923 and 1933, in which young people camped, hiked, hunted and went horseback riding throughout the region between Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson. During the 1930s, Gest attended hikes of the Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and developed mountaineering skills at Alpine Club of Canada annual camps. Christian Hasler Jr. often served as her guide. Gest also belonged to the American Alpine Club, the Philadelphia Trails Club and the Lake O'Hara Trails Club. She spent considerable time in the Lake O'Hara region and wrote "History of Lake O'Hara" (1961), "History of Moraine Lake" (1970), and "History of Mount Assiniboine" (1979).
Scope & Content
Fonds documents Lillian Gest's visits and travels in the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere. Pertains to mountain travel, particularly pack trips, camps, mountaineering and recreation; Alpine Club of Canada; Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; natural and human history; the mountain landscape; scenic views; family and friends.
Textual records include: I. Personal papers, 1925-1982, 36 cm., including A. Diaries and trip notes, B. Correspondence, C. Other; II. Activities, 1913- 1984, 50 cm., including: A. Writing (book projects, articles, memoirs and other writing), B. Nature study, C. Photography, D. Travel; III. Clubs and organizations, 1932-1984, n.d., 22.5 cm., including: A. American Alpine Club, B. Alpine Club of Canada C. Other (Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, Lake O'Hara Trails Club, Philadelphia Trails Club); IV. Other, 1894-1968, n.d., 1.5 cm., including: A. Caroline Hinman papers, B. Miscellaneous papers.
Photographs include: I. Transparencies, 1939-1981, 7153 items; II. Photograph albums, 1919-1958, 12 v. (4208 prints); III. Motion pictures, 1928-1942, 47 reels; IV. Prints and negatives, [ca.1912]-1980, 194 items; V. Published photographs, [ca.1930-ca.1980], n.d., 17 items. Images are well identified.
Accompanied by sound recordings of portions of diaries.
Fonds consists of the photographic records and sample materials of Byron Harmon Photos, the photographic business of Byron Harmon and his successors; as well as the personal photographs of Byron Harmon. I. Scenic / commercial, 1907-1975, ca.7600 items. Primary component of series is film and glass…
Byron Hill Harmon, 1876-1942, was a professional photographer and businessman at Banff, Alberta, Canada. He was born near Tacoma, Washington, USA and operated a portrait studio there for a time. In 1903, while travelling around the United States and Canada as an itinerant photographer, he decided to settle in Banff and by 1907 had produced enough mountain views to begin selling a line of postcards. Between 1906 and 1913, Harmon was official photographer for the Alpine Club of Canada and made trips in numerous mountain areas, such as the Bugaboos (1910) and Mount Robson (1911, 1913). Harmon personally financed trips into other areas, such as Tonquin Valley (1918) and Lake of the Hanging Glaciers (1920, 1922), producing both still photographs and motion pictures for commercial sale. After his last major expedition in 1924 across Saskatchewan Glacier, through to Maligne Lake and back to Banff by packtrain, Harmon devoted most of his time to photographing scenes along the railway, skiing in the Assiniboine and Skoki regions, and the annual rides and hikes of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies. At the same time he managed several businesses, including a drug store, fountain lunch, theatre and book store. In his later years, Harmon spent much time travelling and photographing in other parts of the world. The business, Byron Harmon Photos, was managed successively by his son, Don Harmon, then his grand-daughter, Carole Harmon.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of the photographic records and sample materials of Byron Harmon Photos, the photographic business of Byron Harmon and his successors; as well as the personal photographs of Byron Harmon.
I. Scenic / commercial, 1907-1975, ca.7600 items. Primary component of series is film and glass negatives, 1907-1942, ca.6500 items. Also includes: postcard negatives and positives and production negatives to ca.1955; original prints; a wide range of sample products, such as postcards, enlargements and framing prints, calendars and viewbooks, mainly by Harmon business, some by other photographers; and lantern slides, ca.1913-192-, pertaining to Columbia Icefield Expedition, mountaineering, mountain landscapes, Indians, wildlife, Canadian Pacific Railway and Asian travel. Scenic / commercial series pertains to annual camps and expeditions of the Alpine Club of Canada in the Canadian Rockies and Selkirks, 1907-1913; private movie-making expeditions in the Canadian Rockies and Selkirks; mountain scenic views, primarily for postcard purposes; Banff events and development; skiing; birds and animals. Includes some material by Don Harmon and Lloyd Harmon, sons of Byron Harmon.
II. Personal, 189- to 194-, ca.370 items. Includes: family photographs and views received from others; motion picture out-takes pertaining to world travels, 1930s; and 35 mm. transparencies, ca.1940, pertaining mainly to world travels, also mountain and prairie scenics.
Notes
For more information on the Byron Harmon photographs, see "Great Days in the Rockies: The Photographs of Byron Harmon, 1906-1934" (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1978) or "Byron Harmon, Mountain Photographer" by Carole Harmon and Bart Robinson (Banff: Altitude Publishing, 1992)
Fonds pertains to Hinman's career and travels in the Canadian Rockies and consists of I. Photograph albums; II. Motion pictures; III. Photographs (prints, lantern slides, 35mm transparencies); and IV. Textual records. Photographs and motion pictures pertain to mountain tours and trips led by Hinman…
10 photograph albums (ca.3300 prints). -- ca.1600 photographs (574 prints, ca.1000 transparencies). -- 17 motion pictures. -- 4 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Caroline Hinman, 1884-1966, was a trip/tour leader who worked out of Summit, New Jersey, USA. Hinman was first introduced to the Canadian Rockies in 1913, attending several early Alpine Club of Canada camps. For almost every summer following until ca.1960, she conducted pack trips and tours throughout the Rockies, chiefly in the area between Mount Assiniboine, British Columbia, and Jasper, Alberta. During winters, her parties travelled widely in Europe, Asia and Africa. Starting in the 1940s, Hinman offered a wide variety of motor and rail trips through the Rockies, fishing expeditions in British Columbia, as well as camping trips. Hinman's motto, "off the beaten track," became the hallmark of her adventures.
Scope & Content
Fonds pertains to Hinman's career and travels in the Canadian Rockies and consists of I. Photograph albums; II. Motion pictures; III. Photographs (prints, lantern slides, 35mm transparencies); and IV. Textual records.
Photographs and motion pictures pertain to mountain tours and trips led by Hinman, 1913-1960. Content includes Hinman, her associates and clients, activities and camps, and Banff and area and Rocky Mountain scenics.
Textual records, 1915-1960, include diaries, notebooks, manuscripts, trip accounts, advertising materials, and other material. One of the diaries refers to an early trip (1915) with Mary Jobe and Curly Phillips, Robson Pass. The tour literature includes form letters, pamphlets, etc. containing itineraries for most of Hinman's trips in the Canadian Rockies.
Fonds consists of 35 mm transparencies; Banff Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies trophy record book, ca.1953, photocopy, describing prizes, competitions and winners, 1934-1956; Banff Senior Friends Club history, 1965-1979 and minute book, November 29, 1972 - January 13, 1977, describing club activ…
ca.800 photographs (ca.800 transparencies, 11 prints, 1 copy negative). -- 1.5 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Ethel "Tillie" Knight, 1910-1993, was a community worker and sportswoman at Banff, Alberta. Born in Quebec, Knight came to Banff in 1922 with her parents and brothers, Norman and Harry. For 34 years Tillie worked as an accountant with Parks Canada, retiring in 1971. She was a dedicated volunteer, playing leading roles in the I.O.D.E., the Canadian Institute for the Blind, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Banff Library board, Mineral Springs Hospital, Royal Canadian Legion, the Red Cross and the Seniors Society, of which she was president. Knight was instrumental in establishing the Bow Valley Senior Citizens Lodge in Canmore and fund raising for the Banff Library and Seniors Centre. She also won numerous awards, including "Woman of Distinction" from Soroptimists International, a commemorative medal for the 125th anniversary of the confederation of Canada, and trophies for her main sports interest, golf.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of 35 mm transparencies; Banff Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies trophy record book, ca.1953, photocopy, describing prizes, competitions and winners, 1934-1956; Banff Senior Friends Club history, 1965-1979 and minute book, November 29, 1972 - January 13, 1977, describing club activities and involvement of I.O.D.E. in establishment of the club; photographs of Banff Winter Carnival by British Photographic Laboratories of Canada, Banff, ca.1948, 11 items; photograph of Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies, 1 item: copy.
63 colour transparencies taken by Tillie Knight, ca. 1960 - ca. 1977 - includes Banff Indian Days, Stoneys on horseback, events at Banff Indian Grounds, parades & floats , golfing, trail riding, scenes around Banff
Fonds consist of four separate series: A. I.A. Photography: negatives; B. I.C. Photography: transparencies, 35mm; C. I.D. Photography: prints; D. I.B. Photography: lantern slides. Fonds consists mainly of scenic transparency views arising from Leacock's climbs, hikes, horse and car trips in the Can…
ca.5100 photographs (ca.4450 transparencies, ca.575 negatives, ca.90 prints). -- 17 cm of textual records (including several volumes). -- 4 sound recordings
History / Biographical
Leonard Henry Leacock, 1904-1992, was a musician and educator at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Leacock was born in England and raised in Banff, Alberta. He was educated in Banff and Boston and through the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, and the Royal School of Music, London, England. Leacock joined the staff of Mount Royal College, Calgary as a piano teacher in 1924 and retired from teaching ca.1989. His music career also included performing, composing and adjudicating. Throughout his life, Leacock was an avid mountaineer and photographer. He took numerous hiking and horse trips in the Banff, Jasper and Yoho areas and sometimes worked in trail camps or as a guide.
Scope & Content
Fonds consist of four separate series: A. I.A. Photography: negatives; B. I.C. Photography: transparencies, 35mm; C. I.D. Photography: prints; D. I.B. Photography: lantern slides.
Fonds consists mainly of scenic transparency views arising from Leacock's climbs, hikes, horse and car trips in the Canadian Rockies and Selkirks from the Crowsnest Pass through Jasper National Park, ca.1939 to 1984. Also included are travels in Yukon, Canada and the United States, including Alaska. Negatives date from 1925 to 1940? and pertain to Assiniboine, Lake Louise, Banff, Banff-Jasper, Columbia Icefield and other mountain areas; also natural history, including wildflowers and wildlife. A small number of negatives are accompanied by prints. Other prints pertain to Leacock, family, events and scenic views.
Textual records include letters, 1926-1986, 1 cm; diaries, 1930-1934, 1943, 2 items; scrapbooks and clippings, 1931-1936, ca.6 cm; manuscript scores of vocal and instrumental music, before 1985, 8 cm; concert programmes for which Leacock wrote the notes, 1962-1969, 37 items; other concert programmes, [ca.1945]-1986, 2 cm; writings, 1924, 1928, n.d., 4 items; other material, 1931-1987, 8 items. Diaries pertain to Leacock's personal life, giving details of musical, writing, artistic and dramatic activities; teaching and tour guiding; hikes and climbs in the Canadian Rockies; and friends, including Herbert Hahn and Stewart Cameron. Some letters are from Earle Birney, 1926-1978.
Sound recordings are interviews with Leacock re his career in music, including performing, composing and teaching; also music played by Leacock. Also includes one cassette recording [ca.1985-1992] of Doug Hawkes interviewing Leacock re: a pack trip he went on around 1931 between Gleichen and Jasper and back; cassette includes a story of a camp trip at Castlegar.
Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series. I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E…
ca.50 cm of textual records. -- ca.3400 photographs (ca.1000 negatives, ca.1540 lantern slides, ca.770 transparencies 35mm, 117 prints). -- 4 graphic records
History / Biographical
Dan McCowan, 1882-1956, was a naturalist, lecturer and writer at Banff, Alberta, Canada. McCowan came to Banff from Scotland in 1907. There he met Mary Ethel Fee, 1888-1973, a teacher, and they married in 1921. Mary McCowan shared an interest in Dan's work, hand-coloured his lantern slides and accompanied him on his tours. Dan McCowan was an active photographer and naturalist and lectured at hospitals during and following the First World War. He was later recommended to Sir Edward Beatty, CPR President and hired by the CPR to promote the scenic beauties and natural history of the mountains, which he did for 26 years. For a period his lantern slide presentations included motion pictures. During the 1940s, he used natural colour Kodachrome slide photography. While in England in 1936, McCowan was made a Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society. From ca.1907 onwards, he wrote for magazines and newspapers. The first of six books was published in 1936; the last in 1955. Beginning ca.1937, McCowan wrote and broadcast radio talks on natural history on CBC. These were heard widely in Canada and the United States. In 1939, McCowan accompanied the King and Queen on a portion of their railway tour through the mountains, providing information on natural history and residents. During the Second World War, he toured extensively on behalf of the YMCA. The McCowans retired to Cloverdale (now Surrey), B.C., ca.1951.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series.
I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E. Ephemera.
Correspondence includes incoming letters re writing, business and broadcasting. Writing is in the form of notes and notebooks, unpublished and published manuscripts, newspaper articles and other materials.
Photography includes negatives, lantern slides, 35mm transparencies and prints. Material pertains to flora, fauna, people, places and scenery, also family, activities and events. Photographs of Banff personalities and visitors are available in negative and lantern slide form, 254 items.
Lantern slides were designed for lectures such as: "On skyline trails in the Canadian Rockies"; "On nature trails at Banff and Lake Louise"; "A naturalist in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Snow peaks and flower meadows in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Over the hills and far away: a pictorial review of the Canadian Rockies"; "Victory Day, May 8th 1945, Dan McCowan presents: Bye-gone days in Banff" (exact titles were based on title slides).
II. Mary E. (Fee) McCowan series consists of diaries, 1926-1957, photocopied from 12 volumes (19 cm); and letters from Dan McCowan, 1943. Diaries discuss joint travels, activities, lecture tours for CPR (Canada, U.S., U.K.), Banff, trail rides, skyline hikes, and Royal Visit, 1939
Notes
Both Dan and Mary McCowan have written identifications on the slide mounts
Fonds consist of four separate series: A. Transparencies; B. Negatives; C. Photograph; D. Photograph Albums. Fonds consists of correspondence, personal papers, photographs, sound recordings and ephemera regarding Banff history, organizations and individuals, skiing history, events and winter sports…
13 cm of textual records. -- 183 photographs : negatives, prints, transparencies, tintype. -- 4 photograph albums: 536 prints. -- 3 sound recordings : audio tape reels
History / Biographical
Cyril and Mary Paris were restaurant owners and skiers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Cyril Paris, 1904-1981, was son of George Harrison Paris, 1872-1960, who settled in Banff in 1892. George Paris worked as an attendant at Dr. R. G. Brett's Grandview Hotel bathhouse, and, by 1903, Paris had established his own barber shop. He married Ida Winberg and they opened a summer tea house and ice cream parlor on Banff Avenue. In 1922, a restaurant was added to the Paris Tea Room. George Paris was active in the Banff Curling Club and the Banff Skating Club and taught figure-skating. He was an accomplished amateur photographer. George and Ida Paris had four children - Cyril, Georgina (Georgie) and twins, Herb and Ted. Cyril and his brothers were active in the early development of skiing in the Rockies. Cyril Paris was a member of the Banff Ski Club and the Ski Runners of the Canadian Rockies, and was involved with the early days of Skoki Lodge. With his wife, Mary (Howard) Paris, 1910-1989, he shared interests in skiing, winter sports and local affairs.
Scope & Content
Fonds consist of four separate series: A. Transparencies; B. Negatives; C. Photograph; D. Photograph Albums. Fonds consists of correspondence, personal papers, photographs, sound recordings and ephemera regarding Banff history, organizations and individuals, skiing history, events and winter sports. Also includes miscellaneous materials of and pertaining to Paris family members. Photographs pertain mainly to Cyril Paris, skiing, family, friends and associates, local events and personalities. Sound recordings are interviews with George Paris by Cyril and Mary Paris, 195-. Recordings discuss the early days of Banff, the Paris family, Banff development, etc.