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
File consists of 1 B&W photograph Canadian Demonstration Ski Team, 1960s. Photograph taken at Sunshine Village; identifications of individuals written on reverse of photograph are: John Hanna?, Lorne McFadgen, Guy Barventz, George Vigeant, Don Darry, Ernie Macoulloh, Mario Podroziach, Wayne Bradfo…
File consists of 1 B&W photograph Canadian Demonstration Ski Team, 1960s. Photograph taken at Sunshine Village; identifications of individuals written on reverse of photograph are: John Hanna?, Lorne McFadgen, Guy Barventz, George Vigeant, Don Darry, Ernie Macoulloh, Mario Podroziach, Wayne Bradford, Bob McLennon
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M413 (textual) and V487 (photographs).
M413 consists of two series, 3.5 cm, ca. 1920-1939. Series I: Correspondence, 2.5 cm, 1929-1939 (particularly with Mary Schaffer Warren and an assortment of postcards). Series II: Newspaper Clippings, 1 cm, ca.1920-1939 (mai…
3.5 cm textual records. -- 175 photographs (31 negatives, 144 prints). -- 1 album (183 prints).
History / Biographical
Charles "Charlie" Clifford Carmichael Reid (1904-1984) was born near Suffield, Alberta, Canada. Charlie went to high school in Medicine Hat, Alberta and arrived in Banff in 1922 to serve his three-year pharmacy apprenticeship with Gourlay's Drug Store. After completing his apprenticeship, Charlie studied to be a pharmacist at the University of Alberta from 1926-1928. While at university, Charlie joined the Pharmacy Club and the Track Team.
Charlie had dreams of opening his own pharmacy in Banff, which he did in 1936 on Banff Avenue and named it Banff Pharmacy Limited. He operated the Banff Pharmacy until his retirement in February 1977. He was known as a good employer that paid well, and known for selling French perfumes. A true entrepreneur, Charlie opened a branch store that sold general merchandise in the Banff Springs Hotel, a Curio and Gift shop across from the pharmacy, and a fur store. It is also noted that Charlie found an opportunity to sell coal to the Banff Springs Hotel, which is where he made a significant amount money. He remained in Banff until his death.
He was described as a "go getter" and was known for dressing meticulously, particularly with his trademark bowtie. He was a keen and skilled golfer at the Banff Springs Golf Course (he was a member), and won the Prince of Wales trophy in the 1930's. He was an accomplished track and field athlete, captain of the canoe team, participated in water sports, and enjoyed hiking and hunting. He was good friends with George Noble (photographer), Dr. Ernest Kennedy (dentist), and Carl Rungius (artist). Charlie was a prominent Banff citizen: he served as the Registrar for births, deaths, and marriages; he served on the Banff Advisory Council; was a Charter Member of the Kinsman Club of Banff; he was a member of the Banff Curling Club; and he was a volunteer firefighter with fire brigade. When a fire broke out at the Banff Springs Hotel in the late 1920's, Charlie was one of the firefighters who helped put it out. Charlie was a bachelor until his mother died, although during this period he courted Edmee Moore, daughter of Col. Philip and Pearl (Brewster) Moore, whom he married in 1942. Charlie and Edmee Reid were friends of Mary Schaffer Warren and lived in the Warren home after Billy Warren's death. After Edmee died in 1971, Charles remarried a friend from Vancouver, Gladys McQueen, until his death on February 8th, 1984.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M413 (textual) and V487 (photographs).
M413 consists of two series, 3.5 cm, ca. 1920-1939. Series I: Correspondence, 2.5 cm, 1929-1939 (particularly with Mary Schaffer Warren and an assortment of postcards). Series II: Newspaper Clippings, 1 cm, ca.1920-1939 (mainly related to Reid's sports activities).
V487 consists of three series, 9 cm, ca. 1900-ca. 1939. Series I: Albums (depicting sports and community events in and around Banff, including the Banff Winter Carnival and the Banff Indian Days). Series II: Prints, consisting two sub-series: A. Community Life and Banff Area (family and friends, community events including Banff Winter Carnival and Banff Indian Days, and scenery; includes Reid's pharmacy) and B. Sports and Recreation (summer and winter sports, mainly golf). Series III: Negatives (primarily depicting Reid with friends and family and sports activities).
Notes
Grant Buchanan was a good friend of Charles Reid. His son, Doug Buchanan, gifted additional records in 2014 (accn.2014.8273), these were found in his garage after his father passed away.
Items from accn. 5727 were placed in the Charles Reid biofile.
1 loan for copy print of Carl Rungius working on painting, ca. 1950. -- put in Mary Schaffer V527
File consists of reference photographs collected by Chic Scott for use in various publications. Photographs were retrieved from various individuals, and institutions including Whistler Archives and the Whyte Museum. Content pertains to mountaineering, skiing, individual portraits, views of the Cana…
ca.230 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25.5 x 20 cm or smaller -- 4 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm -- 42 photographs : b&w negatives ; 35 mm -- 0.5 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of reference photographs collected by Chic Scott for use in various publications. Photographs were retrieved from various individuals, and institutions including Whistler Archives and the Whyte Museum. Content pertains to mountaineering, skiing, individual portraits, views of the Canadian Rockies, and related subjects.
Notes
Sub-series contains mostly photograph prints
Some items are annotated
Materials, including accompanying textual notes, have been kept in original order to preserve context
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
File consists of one photograph album containing 54 photograph prints and 2 newspaper clippings pertaining to Norman Luxton winning a turkey shooting contest [ca. 1940] and an Old Timers Association event attended by Eleanor Luxton in Calgary in 1964. Photographs pertain to Eleanor Luxton as a baby…
1 album (54 b&w prints ; 9 x 14 cm or smaller -- 2 newspaper clippings)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album containing 54 photograph prints and 2 newspaper clippings pertaining to Norman Luxton winning a turkey shooting contest [ca. 1940] and an Old Timers Association event attended by Eleanor Luxton in Calgary in 1964. Photographs pertain to Eleanor Luxton as a baby and young child with her parents, posing with chickens and a turkey on a farm, with other small children [unidentified] and standing by the Bow River; portrait photographs of Eleanor as a young girl [roughly ages 5 to 12 years old]; a wedding celebration [possibly that of Norman and Georgina Luxton in 1904]; and images of a pregnant woman and a man on a farm [likely Georgina Luxton and possibly her father, David McDougall, ca. 1908]
Notes
One photograph of Eleanor Luxton as a young child, posing alone and smiling in a dark dress, was moved to its current location from album LUX / III / A3 / PD - 2.
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.
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds: M573 / V797 / S60.
M573 consists of three series, 26 cm of textual records, 1924-2005. Series I: Personal Papers, 19 cm, ca.1930-2005 (including notebooks and drafts of various talks that Jean delivered and records related to her participation in the Trail Rider…
26 cm of textual records.-- 109 photographs (42 prints, 67 lantern slides). -- 2 sound recordings.
History / Biographical
Jean Alexandra Hembroff was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 5, 1908 to Walter B. Hembroff (d. 1945) and Sarah Jane Hembroff (d.1952). Jean was accepted to the MacPhail School of Music and Dramatic Art at the University of Minnesota, from which she graduated in 1927. She returned to Winnipeg to begin teaching courses in speech arts and drama. To establish herself, she first volunteered as the "story lady" at the Williams Avenue Public Library and quickly became known as an excellent speaker sought by many different organizations. She taught at St. Mary's Academy and the Evening Institute at the University of Manitoba, as well as offered private sessions. Many of her students used the skills they learned from Jean as they entered radio, television, politics, and business. Jean was also very active in organizing and adjucating Speech Arts festivals in Manitoba, often going to inaccessible places to give workshops. Her teaching, broadcasting, adjucating, coaching, and speaking career spanned more than 50 years.
Jean was hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway's promotions manager to give presentations and broadcast interviews across Canada and the United States. In 1937, Jean joined the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and participated in their summer trail ride in the same year. For that year's issue of the Trail Rider's Bulletin Jean wrote an article - and became the first woman to ever do so. In 1938, during her lecture titled "Trail Riding in the Rockies" on January 18, 1938 at the Royal Alexandra Hotel, Jean met John David (Jack) MacDonald. Jack and Jean were married on June 18, 1938, and the couple had one son, Bruce Walter James MacDonald (August 28, 1946-August 25, 2016).
Jean participated in several trail rides with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Sky Line Trail, and produced articles reflecting her experiences. Jean loved to travel and visited places all around Canada and the United States, Borneo, Tangier, Montevideo, Stockholm, New Delhi, and Tonga. At the age of 102, Jean passed away on February 2, 2011 and is buried in Winnipeg.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds: M573 / V797 / S60.
M573 consists of three series, 26 cm of textual records, 1924-2005. Series I: Personal Papers, 19 cm, ca.1930-2005 (including notebooks and drafts of various talks that Jean delivered and records related to her participation in the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Sky Line Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, particularly 1937-1939). Series II: Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings, 4 cm, 1924-2000 (including correspondence with John Murray Gibbon, former students, and attendees at various talks, as well as newspaper articles that Jean wrote about various subjects and articles of her achievements). Series III: Collected Materials and Ephemera, 3 cm, ca.1930-1950 (including a variety of collected poems and ephemera, as well as a copy of The Beaver Magazine from 1940, for which Jean wrote an article titled "On the Trail of Sir George").
V797 consists of two series, 24.5 cm of visual records, ca.1928-1939. Series I: Photograph Prints, 3 cm, ca.1928-1939 (includes personal photographs of Jean and her family and friends as well as photographs of Jean and Jack's visit to Lake Louise in 1939). Series II: Lantern Slides, 21.5 cm, ca.1937-1939 (Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies official ride of 1937 to Mt. Assiniboine; Sky Line Hikers of the Canadian Rockies official ride of 1939 to Ptarmigan Valley and Skoki; collection of trail ride songs).
S60 consists of two sound recordings, 1 cm, 2004 and 2007 (Winnipeg at Christmas, narrated by Jean, broadcasted on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).