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 …
Date Range
1856-1980
Reference Code
M36 / S37 / V683
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Drawing
Motion picture
Film
Photograph
Album
Ambrotype
Cased photograph
Daguerreotype
Negative
Photograph print
Postcard
Tintype
Transparency
Sound recording
Cassette
Reel to reel
Textual record
Plan
Poster
Private record
Published record
Peter and CatharineWhyteFonds
(M36/S37/V683)
I. Peter and Catharine Whyte Sous-Fonds - 1862
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.
File consists of 21 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include photographs of Edith Owen Morse through the years, including in kimono with John.
File consists of 21 b&w. prints. The prints pertain to the Robb/Morse family and friends. Prints include photographs of Edith Owen Morse through the years, including in kimono with John.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tin type documents a young girl, (possibly Marion Robb) seated for a portrait. Her cheeks have been tinted and her necklace has been tinted with metallic or gold paint.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tin type documents a young girl, (possibly Marion Robb) seated for a portrait. Her cheeks have been tinted and her necklace has been tinted with metallic or gold paint.
Cased tin type in brown coated paper case. Tin type is framed in a brass coloured frame. Inside of the front cover has a design is debossed in red velvet. A red adhesive sticker that reads “Marion Robb” is found in the front cover. Front and back of case has geometrical design in relief.
Case contains 1 b&w daguerreotype. Daguerreotype documents young woman (possibly Ellen E. Owen) posing for a portrait. The young woman’s cheeks have been tinted.
Case contains 1 b&w daguerreotype. Daguerreotype documents young woman (possibly Ellen E. Owen) posing for a portrait. The young woman’s cheeks have been tinted.
Daguerreotype in brown coated paper case and brass coloured metal frame. An adhesive sticker on the cover case reads “Ellen E. Owen.” Case features a geometric and floral design in relief on front and back covers. Cover glass is framed with a decorative brass foil border. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet. The design includes an inscription that reads “Tyler & Co. Daguerreotypes, [?Washington Corner of Winters?]”
Ambrotype in case. Case covered with black coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet and an adhesive sticker that reads “Catharine Newbury Robb.” The Ambrotype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat.
Cased ambrotype. Case covered with brown coated paper. Front and back covers feature a stylized design in relief. The inside cover features a floral design debossed in red velvet or silk fabric. There is an adhesive sticker stuck on the fabric that reads “Patrick Robb on the left”. The ambrotype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat. The decorative metal mat has two embossed A.SOMES.’ and ‘SCHEN’Y’
Ambrotype in wooden case. Case covered with black coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet and an adhesive sticker that reads “E.S. Morse.” The Ambrotype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tintype documents a young woman posing for the portrait in front of a non-descript background. She has been identified as a member of the Newbury family.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tintype documents a young woman posing for the portrait in front of a non-descript background. She has been identified as a member of the Newbury family.
Tintype in wooden case. Case covered with brown coated paper. Front cover of case is no longer attached and present. Back cover features architectural and vegetal design in relief. An adhesive sticker that reads “Newbury” has been placed on cover glass.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tintype documents an older woman posing for a portrait in a studio setting. Her cheeks have been tinted. she has been idenitified as Margaret Pyncheon.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tintype documents an older woman posing for a portrait in a studio setting. Her cheeks have been tinted. she has been idenitified as Margaret Pyncheon.
Tintype in wooden case. Case covered with brown coated paper. Front and back covers feature architectural and vegetal design in relief. The inside cover features a design debossed in red velvet. The tintype is framed in a brass coloured, decorative metal mat. A small piece of paper is found loose in the case that reads “Margaret Pyncheon daughter of Dr. Joseph Pyncheon of Boston. Our Great Grandmother.”
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tin type documents a young girl, (possibly Marion Robb) seated for a portrait. Her cheeks have been tinted and her necklace has been tinted with metallic or gold paint.
Case contains 1 b&w tintype. Tin type documents a young girl, (possibly Marion Robb) seated for a portrait. Her cheeks have been tinted and her necklace has been tinted with metallic or gold paint.
Cased tin type in black coated paper case. Tin type is framed in a brass coloured frame. Inside of front cover has a design is debossed in red velvet. A red adhesive sticker that reads “Marion Robb” is found in the front cover. Front and back of case has a floral and architectural design in relief.