Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Notes
Series arrangement:
LUX / II / A / 1 to 47 : General correspondence, organized chronologically (see Content Details)
LUX / II / A / 48 to 51 : Holiday greeting cards, dated (chronological order)
LUX / II / A / 52 to 62 : Holiday greeting cards, not dated
LUX / II / A / 63 : Holiday gift tags
LUX / II / A / 64 to 65 : Thank you, friendship and get well soon cards
LUX / II / A / 66 to 67 : Easter and Valentine's Day cards
LUX / II / A / 68 to 70 : Birthday cards
LUX / II / A / 71 : Other holiday cards and letters
LUX / II / A / 72 : Postcards sent to Eleanor
LUX / II / A / 73 : Luxton family research correspondence
File consists of personal mail sent to or from Eleanor Luxton between ca. 1915 and 1980. Content pertains to Valentine's day letters between Eleanor and her parents, Norman and Georgina; a personal greeting card sent from "Aida" [n.d.]; a greeting card titled "To Father" [possibly sent from Eleanor…
File consists of personal mail sent to or from Eleanor Luxton between ca. 1915 and 1980. Content pertains to Valentine's day letters between Eleanor and her parents, Norman and Georgina; a personal greeting card sent from "Aida" [n.d.]; a greeting card titled "To Father" [possibly sent from Eleanor to Norman Luxton]; a letter addressed to Eleanor from Alberta Theatre Projects with a ticket order form for local performances [1973]; a letter from Laura Oakander sent to Eleanor thanking her for a donation to the McDougall Stoney Mission Society [1980]; and invitations to round-up events hosted by the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association.
Notes
Most items in file are not dated; part of date range is estimate by the Processing Archivist based on context and formatting of contents in file
File consists of dated Christmas and holiday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1940 and 1994. Includes cards sent from various family members, friends and organizations which Eleanor was involved with [including the National Philatelic Centre and the University of Alberta]. Some cards have attac…
File consists of dated Christmas and holiday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between 1940 and 1994. Includes cards sent from various family members, friends and organizations which Eleanor was involved with [including the National Philatelic Centre and the University of Alberta]. Some cards have attached photograph prints or personal images printed into the cards [i.e. family photographs].
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the …
File consists of non-dated Christmas and holiday greeting cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Cards are signed by various friends, family members and coworkers of Eleanor, as well as some organizations and groups which Eleanor was involved with [including the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and UNICEF].
Notes
Some cards have personal photographs printed onto front covers, or have photograph prints physically attached.
File consists of Christmas gift tags collected by Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Most tags are stored in envelopes which are annotated with lists of names and corresponding gifts received from them. File also contains some loose items.
File consists of Christmas gift tags collected by Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1994. Most tags are stored in envelopes which are annotated with lists of names and corresponding gifts received from them. File also contains some loose items.
Notes
Majority of items are dated or may be dated between ca.1975-1990
File consists of greeting cards not pertaining to specific holidays which were sent to Eleanor Luxton, including: thank you cards, friendship and "just because" cards, and get well soon cards. Cards are signed by various friends and family members of Eleanor, including numerous cards from Eleanor's…
File consists of greeting cards not pertaining to specific holidays which were sent to Eleanor Luxton, including: thank you cards, friendship and "just because" cards, and get well soon cards. Cards are signed by various friends and family members of Eleanor, including numerous cards from Eleanor's friend "Miriam".
File consists of Easter and Valentine's Day cards addressed to Eleanor Luxton which were sent by various friends and family members between ca.1940 and 1995.
File consists of Easter and Valentine's Day cards addressed to Eleanor Luxton which were sent by various friends and family members between ca.1940 and 1995.
File consists of birthday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1995. Includes one folder of birthday cards [ca.1960-1995?] which do not name a recipient.
File consists of birthday cards sent to Eleanor Luxton between ca.1940 and 1995. Includes one folder of birthday cards [ca.1960-1995?] which do not name a recipient.
Notes
Cards without a named recipient were likely sent to Eleanor Luxton based on their approximate time period and other items stored with them prior to processing; some of earlier cards possibly sent to Georgina Luxton[?]
File contents stored in three folders:
LUX / II / A / 68 and 69 : Birthday cards addressed to Eleanor Luxton
LUX / II / A / 70 : Birthday cards, recipient not named
File consists of assorted greeting cards and letters sent to Eleanor Luxton [and some possibly sent to unidentified family members]. Includes cards for St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween; letters marking donations given in Eleanor Luxton’s name to charities [including the Multiple Sclerosis Society]; …
File consists of assorted greeting cards and letters sent to Eleanor Luxton [and some possibly sent to unidentified family members]. Includes cards for St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween; letters marking donations given in Eleanor Luxton’s name to charities [including the Multiple Sclerosis Society]; letters from organizations including the Southern Alberta Pioneers’ and Old Timers’ Association; wedding invitations; and other personal correspondence.
Notes
Most items in file are not dated, some items do not name a recipient
One card in file is unsent letter written by Eleanor Luxton addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Stockand[?]