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].
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E.…
1 cm of textual records (5 items ; 15 x 30.5 cm and smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery in California; "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City; and various community events and a state fair in Minot, North Dakota.
Notes
Handbook is signed "N.K. Luxton" inside front cover
File consists of a report and memorandum for the Arctic Institute of North America, 1974. Content pertains to organizational goals and objectives and the nomination of members for election as governors.
The Arctic Institute of North America was founded in 1945 as a research and educational non-profit organization sponsored by the Canadian Federal Government. The institute was incorporated into the University of Calgary in 1976. The Arctic Institute focuses its research on the "physical, environmental and social conditions" of the Arctic regions, and makes this research accessible through an online database and publications through the organization's academic journal, "ARCTIC".
Scope & Content
File consists of a report and memorandum for the Arctic Institute of North America, 1974. Content pertains to organizational goals and objectives and the nomination of members for election as governors.
File consists of programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program f…
File consists of programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program for the 8th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasp…
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasper Park Lodge, and Canadian and international politics.
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during El…
0.5 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 16.5 x 25 cm and 11 x 14 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during Eleanor Luxton's time as a student at the University of Alberta.
File consists of 23 photographs pertaining to various friends and extended members of the Luxton/McDougall family. File includes images of Fred and Jean Graham's house in Calgary, Mr. [Ed?] and Mrs. Youmans, Flora McDougall, David McDougall and family, Ada Luxton, school friends of Jean (McDougall)…
23 photographs : b&w prints; 18 x 11 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
Harold Malloch Luxton [1884-1915] was the youngest child of parents Sarah Jane Luxton and William Fisher Luxton. Harold served as a member of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment, 31st Battalion) during World War I, and was killed in action on December 18, 1915 at the age of 31. Harold is buried at the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Scope & Content
File consists of 23 photographs pertaining to various friends and extended members of the Luxton/McDougall family. File includes images of Fred and Jean Graham's house in Calgary, Mr. [Ed?] and Mrs. Youmans, Flora McDougall, David McDougall and family, Ada Luxton, school friends of Jean (McDougall) Graham, and Harold [Malloch] Luxton in his Canadian Infantry uniform, 1914.
File consists of one volume titled "Canada 1936: The Official Handbook of Present Conditions and Recent Progress". Content pertains to Canadian economics and industry in 1936. Item is signed by Eleanor Luxton on front cover and has additional annotations inside. Scrap of paper stored between pages …
File consists of one volume titled "Canada 1936: The Official Handbook of Present Conditions and Recent Progress". Content pertains to Canadian economics and industry in 1936. Item is signed by Eleanor Luxton on front cover and has additional annotations inside. Scrap of paper stored between pages 106 and 107 contains additional handwritten notes.
Scrapbook is titled "Canada and the Present War" and consists of newspaper clippings including some full-page excerpts and smaller articles. Scrapbook includes table of contents on first page [see "Content Details"]. Content pertains to Canadian industry, trade, agriculture, national exports, warti…
Scrapbook is titled "Canada and the Present War" and consists of newspaper clippings including some full-page excerpts and smaller articles. Scrapbook includes table of contents on first page [see "Content Details"]. Content pertains to Canadian industry, trade, agriculture, national exports, wartime production, and national and global politics; includes statistics for these subjects from World War I and World War II eras [1914 to ca.1942].
Two metal binder rings were removed to prevent risk of future rust damage and contamination. Scrapbook has been re-fastened with unbleached twine and interleaved with acid-free tissue.
[Scrapbook table of contents]:
Telephone System in Canada
Argentine Crops and Canada
Farm Production in Canada
Business Trends and Industry
Income Taxes
Newsprint
St. Lawrence Power Pact
Canada's War Metals
Long or Short War
Food Industries and Capacity Production
Canada Wheat and the War
War and Wool
War Effect on Travel and Foreign Trade
Minerals and War
Canada and Ships
Chemicals and War
How Vulnerable are our Mines?
Necessary Supplies for War
Comparison between Canada 1914 and 1939
War quickens business in Canada
Canada's Balance of Trade
Radium Development and Trade with South America
Election Platforms - Dominion Elections
Scrapbook is divided into sections with tabs labelled: Canadian, Britain, American, and Foreign. Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to the Dionne Quints; political subjects; royalty and royal families in England, India, Denmark and Norway; celebrities and film stars; and sports: box…
Scrapbook is divided into sections with tabs labelled: Canadian, Britain, American, and Foreign. Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to the Dionne Quints; political subjects; royalty and royal families in England, India, Denmark and Norway; celebrities and film stars; and sports: boxing, Joe Louis, football, billiards, tennis, baseball, horseracing, the Simpson sisters, and rodeo events.