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 personal and business papers regarding automobile traffic, visitation and tourism in Banff National Park, east gate; clippings and ephemera regarding history and personalities of the Bow Valley; prints and copy negatives pertaining mainly to Exshaw, Rocky Mountains Park entrance, …
4 cm textual records: originals and photocopies. -- ca.45 photographs: prints, postcards, copy negatives
History / Biographical
Annie Staple, 1883-1973, was born in Shrawley, Worcestershire, England. While working as a caregiver in a hospital in Derbyshire, she met Tom Staple. Annie and Tom were married in 1907 and immigrated to Canada. Tom became a warden for Rocky Mountains Park in 1913. Tom's assigned area was Kananaskis and a house (Gateway Lodge) was built for Tom and Annie between Kananaskis and Exshaw in 1916. In addition to area patrols, Tom's warden duties included issuing permits to visitors entering the park by automobile. The permit process included sealing guns, collecting park fees and distributing metal plates (the precursor to the park pass system). During Tom's absences, Annie issued the permits to automobile visitors. In 1916 Annie became the gatekeeper of the east-gate, which at that time was a table set up at the side of the road. Tom Staple died in 1919 while Annie was pregnant with their fourth child. Annie continued to work as the keeper of the east gate until 1948, when she retired.
In 1930 the park boundary was moved west of Canmore and while the entrance was under construction, Parks authorities relocated Annie to the west entrance of Yoho Park. Annie worked the winter of 1930-1931 at the Upper Hot Springs in Banff and returned to her position as keeper of the east gate in the spring of 1931. Construction of the new gate and a residence for Annie and her family lasted six years and during this period, the park boundary was moved again.
Following her retirement in 1948, Annie Staple moved to Seebe to live with her daughter's family and in 1953, she moved to Calgary to live with her sister, Nellie Whitburn. Following Nellie's death, Annie returned to live with her daughter's family in Canmore.
Annie and Tom Staple had four children, Joyce (1909-2001), Tom (1912-1941), Geoffrey (1913-1973), and Albert b.1920.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal and business papers regarding automobile traffic, visitation and tourism in Banff National Park, east gate; clippings and ephemera regarding history and personalities of the Bow Valley; prints and copy negatives pertaining mainly to Exshaw, Rocky Mountains Park entrance, Spray River warden cabin, Lake Minnewanka and Banff; postcards views of Banff and Rocky Mountains by Byron Harmon and Wm. J. Gibbons.
File consists of 31 postcards collected by Annie (Creagh) Wiseman between ca.1920-1940. Postcards pertain to natural views and tourist attractions in Banff, Lake Louise, the Great Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon and other nearby areas. Some postcards are annotated with correspondence sent between Anni…
Annie (Creagh) Wiseman (1891-1972) was born in Deptford, England, where she married Stanley Wilfred Ernest Wiseman. The couple had one daughter, Ethel, before moving to Winnipeg. The family returned to England following the outbreak of World War I, in which Stanley served as a Private in the 61st Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Annie and Ethel later returned to Winnipeg, where Stanley joined them following a serious injury which he sustained in active duty. In Winnipeg, Annie and Stanley had two more children: a daughter (Hilda) and a son (Stanley).
Stanley Sr. worked as a foreman for Canadian Pacific Railway, which enabled Annie to travel throughout the Canadian Rockies and other regions by train for free or a reduced price. Annie collected postcards from her travels, which included numerous visits to Banff National Park. Annie, Stanley Sr. and their two youngest children permanently settled in Victoria, B.C. in 1935.
Scope & Content
File consists of 31 postcards collected by Annie (Creagh) Wiseman between ca.1920-1940. Postcards pertain to natural views and tourist attractions in Banff, Lake Louise, the Great Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon and other nearby areas. Some postcards are annotated with correspondence sent between Annie, her children (including Hilda and Ethel), and friends of the Wiseman family.
*Image was part of the Recognizing Relations project, an archives initiative undertaken in 2014 to identify Stoney people in photographs held in the Whyte Museum Archives. Title from title printed on the postcard along the bottom, underneath the photo.
File consists of 74 photographic prints and 14 postcards (3 annotated), and 2 menus from the Sulphur Mountain Chalet. Photographs and postcards are of the Banff area
Tunstall family from Edmonton, AB. Mother- Mary Tunstall Senior; Mary- Clerk of U of A; Dora- housewife; Evelyn -left to do work on Alaska Navy-- Mary, Dora and Evelyn were aunts of Dennis Stansfield
Scope & Content
File consists of 74 photographic prints and 14 postcards (3 annotated), and 2 menus from the Sulphur Mountain Chalet. Photographs and postcards are of the Banff area