Series includes: A. Writing papers, pertaining to book projects, articles, memoirs and other writing; B. Nature study papers; C. Photographs and photography papers; D. Travel papers. Photographs in Sub-series C include transparencies, 1939-1981, 7153 items; photograph albums, 1919-1958, 12 vol. (…
54 cm of textual records. -- ca.7400 photographs : transparencies, albums (ca.4200 prints), prints, negatives, published photographs. -- 45 motion pictures.
Scope & Content
Series includes: A. Writing papers, pertaining to book projects, articles, memoirs and other writing; B. Nature study papers; C. Photographs and photography papers; D. Travel papers. Photographs in Sub-series C include transparencies, 1939-1981, 7153 items; photograph albums, 1919-1958, 12 vol. (4208 prints); motion pictures, 1928-1942, 45 reels; prints and negatives, [ca.1912]-1980, 194 items; and, published photographs, [ca.1930-ca.1980], n.d., 17 items. Photographs and films document Gest's visits and travels in the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere; mountaineering and recreation; Alpine Club of Canada; Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies; natural and human history; the mountain landscape. Images are well identified. -- Title taken from contents of series. -- Trip-based arrangement retained in photographs. -- Access to original albums is restricted (microfilm copies are available). Most motion pictures are not available for reference use in present form. -- Inventory of photographs is available in this database.
Access Restrictions
Access to negatives is by appointment only. Reference copies for select films available.
26 architectural drawings (20 originals, 6 copies) : 134.5 x 79.5 cm and smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of architectural drawings by Walter Painter of details and buildings he designed in Banff, Vancouver, Quebec City and Montreal
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Content Details
LIST OF ITEMS:
* Tower rendering. -- 1895. -- 1 drawing : 34 x 19cm, pen and ink. -- Title based on item
* Steeple rendering. -- 1896. -- 1 drawing : 73 x 20 cm, pen and ink. -- Title based on item
* Laughing face decorative detail. -- 1896. -- 1 drawing : 36.5 x 29 cm, pen and ink. -- Title based on item
* W. S. Painter residence, Banff, Alberta : [drawings]. -- 1912. -- 17 drawings (13 originals, 4 blueprint copies). -- Includes drawings of original house and site (10 originals, 1 copy) and undated drawings of alterations to residence (3 originals, 3 copies)
* Banff Springs Hotel : [elevation rendering] / W. S. Painter, Architect. --1906 Nov. 22. -- 1 drawing : 126.5 x 75.5 cm, on board, pen and ink
* Vancouver Hotel, Granville Street elevation : [elevation rendering] / Painter and Swales Architects, Montreal & Vancouver. -- [ca.1910]. -- 1 drawing : 44 x 50 cm, photographic copy. -- Copy is of original colour painted rendering
* Vancouver Hotel, Georgia Street elevation rendering / Painter and Swales Architects, Montreal & Vancouver. -- [ca.1910]. -- 2 drawings (1 original, 1 copy) : 90 x 78.5 cm and smaller. Original is painted, colour rendering on board; copy is b/w photographic copy, 45 x 50 cm. -- Title based on item and related items
* Canadian Pacific Railway, Chateau Frontenac, Quebec : [elevation rendering] / W. S. Painter, Architect. -- 1907 Sept. 24. -- 1 drawing : 112.5 x 81.5 cm, on board, pen and ink
* C.P.R. Montreal : [Windsor Station] / W. S. Painter. -- 1909 Jan. -- 1 drawing : 134.5 x 79.5 cm, on board, brownline copy
Series consists of annotated reference books used to record observations on sightings of flora and fauna including, variously, common name, location, date and rarity
Series consists of annotated reference books used to record observations on sightings of flora and fauna including, variously, common name, location, date and rarity
Title Source
Title based on contents of series
Content Details
ITEM LIST :
* Budd, A. C. / A key to plants of the farming and ranching areas of the Canadian Prairies, 1952; annotations record occurrences at Waterton Lakes, F.H.R.'s [Riggall's] ranch, Twin Butte and Porcupine Hills and are found throughout the volume, 1953 photocopy
* Coulter, John M. / New Manual of Botany of the Central Rocky Mountains (vascular plants), 1909; annotations record sightings throughout volume, 1911-1953
* Hales, B. J. / Selected Western Flora : Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, 1915; annotations record sightings throughout volume, 1905-1952
* Rand, A. L. / Birds of Southern Alberta, 1948; annotations (throughout volume) record occurrences at Waterton Lake, [National] Park, [Riggall] Ranch and elsewhere
* Reed, Chester A. / Bird Guide, Part 2, Land Birds East of the Rockies . . . 1912; annotations record sightings throughout volume, 1904-1953 and also annual lists, 1914-1917
* Saunders, Charles Francis / Western Flower Guide; annotations are mainly "nature notes" (plant and animal sightings) 1949-1952, list of species in rock gardens, 1915, and some plant sightings throughout volume
* Taverner, P. A. / Birds of Canada, 1949; annotations, 1951-1954; record sightings, (throughout volume) bird notes, 1951, loose clippings
* Vareschi, Volkmar and Ernest Krause / Mountains in Flower, 1940; annotations indicate flowers found or not found in the Canadian Rockies and closely related species
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and …
4.8 m textual records -- oversize materials -- 31 photographs (15 prints, 16 negatives)
Scope & Content
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and residential leases; insurance; investments; donations; rentals; legal papers relating to the estate of Annie McDougall and May Ross McDougall; mortgage papers; Parks Canada Lease agreements and need to reside challenge; Eleanor Luxton's living will.
Notes
Contents arranged by subject - see file level descriptions
File pertains to the screenplay for the 1948 film "Canadian Pacific" by Jack DeWitt. The film was made in Banff, directed by Nat Holt, and follows the construction of the line through the Rockies in the 1880s.
File pertains to the screenplay for the 1948 film "Canadian Pacific" by Jack DeWitt. The film was made in Banff, directed by Nat Holt, and follows the construction of the line through the Rockies in the 1880s.
14 photographs : b&w and col. slides ; 10.2 x 8.2 cm
History / Biographical
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was officially formed in Februray, 1881, to construct a railroad that would link the eastern provinces with British Columbia, a key component of the Canadian Confederation of 1867. Headed by William C. Van Horne as General Manager, the railroad arrived in the Canadian Rockies in 1883 and a siding was established just east of present-day Banff. When railroad workers discovered a natural hot spring on the south side of the Bow River, Van Horne ordered the construction of a hotel that would house visitors brought in by train to visit the springs. Construction of the Banff Springs Hotel finished in 1888 and joined a handful of CPR hotels throughout the Rocky and Selkirk Mountain ranges. The popularity of the hot springs and surrounding area led to the formation of a national park and to the town of Banff.
After construction of the railway had completed, the CPR continued to survey and document the Rocky Mountains alongside federal agencies like the Department of the Interior and private outfitters. Utilizing coloured lantern slides the CPR was able to showcase the mountains as both tourist and settlement destinations. Magic lantern shows of these slides could be used for administrative purposes by the company to showcase land holdings and investments or in public shows as advertisements of the new railway.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 14 lantern slides [ca.1900-ca.1925]. Slides are views along the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Series consists of the following sub-series: 1. Personal papers, 1918- 1979; 2. Correspondence, 1862-1979; 3. Financial, legal and business papers, 1901-1979; 4. Professional activities and interests, 1906-1980; 5. Topical files, 1881- 1978; 6. Photographs, ca.1920-1979; 7. Postcard albums, 1903- 1…
I.A. Catharine Robb Whyte papers and photographs series
Sous-Fonds
S37
Accession Number
3069
Reference Code
M36 / S37 / V683 / I / A
Date Range
1906 - 1980
Physical Description
20.5 m of textual records (and ca.200 oversize items). -- ca.12,300 photographs (ca.5000 prints, ca.4000 negatives, ca.3300 transparencies, 3 albums of ca.1000 prints, 6 motion pictures).
History / Biographical
Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was an artist, outdoor enthusiast, traveller, philanthropist and cultural worker at Banff, Alberta. Born in Concord, Massachusetts, Catharine Robb grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. Following schooling in Concord and Providence Rhode Island, she studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from 1925 until 1929. There she met Peter Whyte, a fellow art student from Banff, Alberta and they married 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 Nakoda First Nations and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations such as the Ski Club of the Canadian Rockies and the Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies. From 1932 until 1934, she and Pete managed Skoki Lodge. During the Second World War, Catharine continued to paint, maintain her home and when possible, accompany Pete to his various military postings.
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. Catharine immersed herself in the development of the Peter Whyte Foundation (now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies), in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Catharine became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits on transparency film and later on Kodacolor negative film. Catharine continued to use her old Leica rangefinder camera and, in 1974, acquired a Leica M5 with an integrated light meter.
Catharine Whyte served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations. Among her official duties, Catharine served as a Governor, Banff Centre Council; Member, Board of Governors, Glenbow-Alberta Institute; President, Peter Whyte Foundation; Member, Minister's Advisory Committee on Native Education; and Member, By-law Committee, Stoney Development Society. She was a patron to individuals studying art and music and supported the following causes: Stoney Nakoda First Nation Handicrafts, Stoney Administration Building, Banff Recreational Centre, Margaret Greenham Theatre, cancer research, and the Catharine Whyte Multicultural Centre in Cold Lake, Alberta.
Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with the following awards and honours: Honorary Doctorate, University of Calgary, 1969; Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Banff Kiwanis Club, 1969; Honorary Chief, Stoney Nakoda First Nation, 1973; Alberta Achievement Award, Province of Alberta, 1975; Award of Merit, Historical Society of Alberta, 1978; and the Order of Canada, 1978.
Scope & Content
Series consists of the following sub-series: 1. Personal papers, 1918- 1979; 2. Correspondence, 1862-1979; 3. Financial, legal and business papers, 1901-1979; 4. Professional activities and interests, 1906-1980; 5. Topical files, 1881- 1978; 6. Photographs, ca.1920-1979; 7. Postcard albums, 1903- 1924. Includes extensive diaries and correspondence between Catharine Robb Whyte and her mother, family and friends. Of particular interest are Whyte's outgoing letters. Other papers arise out of her business and philanthropic activities, interest and activity in art, winter sports, recreation, museums, cultural organizations, photography, environmental issues and Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
Photographic material was produced and collected by Catharine Robb Whyte prior to 1930 and after Peter Whyte's death in 1966. Included are prints, albums and negatives, ca.1924-1930, pertaining to family trips, school activities, travels, home, friends and family. The largest series consist of colour prints and negatives (ca.7200 items) and colour transparencies (3319 items) pertaining to family and friends, mountain trips, scenics and world travels, 1966-1979. Remaining material include prints, motion pictures and video recording collected by Catharine Whyte; mainly friends, family, personal and Banff events, ca.1920-1979.
Access Restrictions
Access to photographs requires permission in advance from the Head Archivist.
Finding Aid
Sub-series-level outline is available. Inventory is available in printed form and through this database. Description of photographs is at sub-series level only. Printed inventory provides more description than computer database for photographs.
Related Material
Consitutes Sous-fonds I, Series A of Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds. Other photographs by Catharine Whyte are found in Sous-fonds I, Series C.
Title Source
Title based on material
Content Details
Catharine Robb Whyte Photographs - Forms part of Sous-fonds I, Series A of the Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds.
The earliest photographs directly attributable to Catharine Robb were taken on the family trip to Europe in 1924. Russell Robb produced three meticulous albums from this trip, two utilizing his own photographs and one composed of Catharine's. (A photo taken at Versailles shows Catharine operating a folding camera which produced the 6 x 10.5 cm. images for her travel album). A number of photographs and albums from the mid 1920s are attributable to Catharine -- photographs depicting friends and events at Mary C. Wheeler School and sailing trips at Seal Harbor, Maine -- but she does not appear to have been a prolific photographer prior to her marriage to Peter Whyte in 1930.
Following Peter Whyte's death in 1966, Catharine became a very active photographer. She took up downhill skiing again and began to travel extensively in Canada and abroad, recording most of these activities on transparency film. In the 1970s, she began exposing Kodacolor negative film. She found that prints were more easily displayed to friends and relatives than were slides, so she favoured colour prints for the remainder of her life. She utilized slide film on only a few extended trips after the mid 1970s.
Though friends and relatives tried to convince her that a single lens reflex camera system would be more convenient and versatile than her old Rangefinder camera, Catharine remained devoted to her old Leica, and in 1974 she paired it with a Leica M5 -- the first Leica with an integrated light meter. She used this camera until her death.
Series consists of textual records, photographs and video and sound recordings collected by Eleanor Luxton. Contents include various published and unpublished materials, including sheet music, correspondence, books about Canadian and Indigenous history, magazines, souvenir publications, travel guid…
37.0 cm textual records.-- photographs.-- 74 cm sound recordings
Scope & Content
Series consists of textual records, photographs and video and sound recordings collected by Eleanor Luxton. Contents include various published and unpublished materials, including sheet music, correspondence, books about Canadian and Indigenous history, magazines, souvenir publications, travel guides, and pamphlets; visual materials, including commercial postcards, portraits of Georginal Luxton and other family members, photographs of the Tilikum on display in Victoria, and a portfolio of illustrated Stoney Nakoda portraits by R.H. Palenske; oral histories recorded and collected by Eleanor Luxton; and a VHS copy of "Qualicum Wind".
Notes
Series consists of four sub-series:
Textual records
Photographs
Oral Histories (includes printed interview transcripts; transcripts in electronic format written to CD Rom and 3.5" floppy disk; supporting documentation; the recorded interviews on audio cassettes and R120 DAT tapes)
Series consists of commercial views pertaining to buildings, businesses, facilities, sports events, organizations, conventions, group portraits, displays and presentations. -- Title based on accession records and contents of series. -- Arrangement outline available in printed form; file-level inve…
Series consists of commercial views pertaining to buildings, businesses, facilities, sports events, organizations, conventions, group portraits, displays and presentations. -- Title based on accession records and contents of series. -- Arrangement outline available in printed form; file-level inventory available through this database; selected contact prints available in visual reference file.