Fonds consists of personal photographs, biographical notes, memoir drafts and other collected materials pertaining to Robert Neville (Bob) Smith. Fonds also includes plans and maps pertaining to the development of land near Lake Minnewanka and the Cascade Power Plant project (1943).
ca.300 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 12 x 18 cm or smaller -- 7 cm of textual records -- 7 topographical maps/plans -- 8 postcards
History / Biographical
Robert Neville (Bob) Smith (1926-2021) was born in Banff. He was the only child of parents Enoch Smith and Laurene Smith (nee Munson). Bob grew up near Lake Minnewanka until 1941, when a hydro dam was installed resulting in the intentional flooding of the area. The family moved to Banff, where Bob met his future wife, Mary Parkinson. The couple were married in 1953 and moved to Seebe, where they raised two daughters, Marjory and Shirley.
Bob worked for Calgary Power Co. (later renamed TransAlta Utilities) from 1953 until his retirement in 1986. In his spare time, Bob founded the Bow Valley Camera Club and the Bow Valley Naturalists organization. In 1999, Bob was part of a successful project with the Bow Valley Naturalists to designate the Mount Yamnuska area as a Bow Valley Protected Area, following 25 years of lobbying with the Government of Alberta. Bob also formed the Meanderthals seniors hiking club in 1993 and led various local hiking trips in his later years.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal photographs, biographical notes, memoir drafts and other collected materials pertaining to Robert Neville (Bob) Smith. Fonds also includes plans and maps pertaining to the development of land near Lake Minnewanka and the Cascade Power Plant project (1943).
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 textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sen…
Some materials produced by Catharine (Adams) Elkin
Date Range
[ca.1844 - 1909]
[ca.1939 - 1944]
1980 - 1981
2014
Physical Description
21 cm of textual records -- 16 postcards -- 3 drawings -- 1 photograph album : 107 b&w photographs
History / Biographical
Mary Wright (Molly) Adams was born on 15 October 1868. in Ridgefield Connecticut. She was the third of five children born to Cornelia Ann Cook (1830-1902) and Daniel Lucius Adams (1814 - 1899) She died in Kobe, Japan on 23 January 1909 and was buried there.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual records, postcards, drawings and one photograph album pertaining to Mary (Molly) Wright Adams (1868-1909); transcripts of Molly's original letters which were compiled by Molly's sister, Catharine Elkin (nee Adams) between ca.1939 and 1941; and transcriptions of letters sent between Molly's extended family members [including members of the Adams, Cook and Wright families], ca.1844 and 1866.
Textual records primarily consist of correspondence sent between Molly Adams and various friends and family members [ca.1891-1909].
Notes
Fonds consists of two series:
Series I : Correspondence [contains two sub-series: I / A : Molly Wright Adams ; I / B : Extended family]
Series II : Personal and collected records
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 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 consists of postcards, 1934-1937; military papers, 1916-1918; financial papers, 1922; miscellaneous papers, ca.1910-1955; photographs, ca.1900-1968. Textual records are primarily military medical material. Financial papers pertain to medical equipment. Includes a speech re Imperial Order of…
4.5 cm of textual records. -- 216 photographs : prints
History / Biographical
Gilbert M. Atkin, 1877-1969, came to Banff in 1905 shortly after completion of postgraduate studies in medicine. He first worked with Dr. Brett and continued to practice medicine in Banff, where he raised his family. During the First World War, Atkin served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of postcards, 1934-1937; military papers, 1916-1918; financial papers, 1922; miscellaneous papers, ca.1910-1955; photographs, ca.1900-1968. Textual records are primarily military medical material. Financial papers pertain to medical equipment. Includes a speech re Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.), n.d., delivered at the Chateau Rundel [sic]; report, Whistler Mountain Ski Lift and Chalet, 1954-1955; and architectural drawing of plan and elevation for 94 Banff Avenue, ca.1910, accompanied by note of "additions and corrections". Photographs pertain to Gilbert Atkin, family, friends and associates, Banff region activities and views, Brett Hospital, curling and Rocky Mountains scenic views.
Fonds consists of letters, 1929-1972, including letters to Leslie Peters, 1929-1972 and Julius Peters, 1931-1938; Christmas cards from Beil to members of the Peters family; miscellaneous brochures, pamphlets, etc. illustrated with Beil's works; photographs. Papers discuss Banff Winter Carnival ice…
3 cm of textual records. -- 80 photographs : prints, postcards
History / Biographical
Charlie Beil, 1894-1976, was an artist at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Beil pursued his interest in art after meeting artist Charlie Russell in Glacier Park, Montana, USA. Prior to that, he worked as a cowboy and served in the U.S. Cavalry. Beil came to Banff in 1930 and settled there permanently in 1934. He established a studio and began to produce murals, dioramas and bronze sculptures. Beil was well-known for the latter and was active as an artist until his death. Charles Beil married Olive Luxton (1915-1983), ca.1940.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of letters, 1929-1972, including letters to Leslie Peters, 1929-1972 and Julius Peters, 1931-1938; Christmas cards from Beil to members of the Peters family; miscellaneous brochures, pamphlets, etc. illustrated with Beil's works; photographs. Papers discuss Banff Winter Carnival ice sculptures, Olive Beil, Grey Owl, and Beil's life and work as an artist, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s as he was becoming established in Banff. Photographs pertain to paintings, models and sculptures by Charlie Beil; also Calgary Stampede, Banff and Sunshine area views.
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 consists of Jack Brewster manuscripts, personal and military papers, other papers, n.d., 1910-1960; miscellaneous papers of William A. and Annie Brewster, 1887-1910; and Jack Brewster and Brewster family photographs, [ca.1905-ca.1917]. The manuscripts pertain to "Early Days in Alberta" and B…
4 cm of textual records. -- 23 photographs : prints, postcards
History / Biographical
Jack Alexander Brewster, 1891-1974, son of William and Annie Brewster of Banff, grew up on a homestead near Innisfail and in South Edmonton. He attended Queens University and moved to California with his parents. Brewster worked as an engineer and accountant in Redlands, California. During the First World War, Brewster served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of Jack Brewster manuscripts, personal and military papers, other papers, n.d., 1910-1960; miscellaneous papers of William A. and Annie Brewster, 1887-1910; and Jack Brewster and Brewster family photographs, [ca.1905-ca.1917]. The manuscripts pertain to "Early Days in Alberta" and Brewster's economic philosophy. Photographs include views of Jack Brewster in the Canadian Army, the Brewster family and commercial postcard views.