File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 6 to July 30, 1935. Topics include travelling back to Banff from Montreal on the train, cleaning and household chores, the Winter Carnival, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, wa…
Date Range
1935
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 97
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
one' s mind works .
The Library sounds lovely, and after all it is used
more to sit in,and for parties,than
1.7 cm of textual records (89 pages ; 21.5 x 27.8 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from February 6 to July 30, 1935. Topics include travelling back to Banff from Montreal on the train, cleaning and household chores, the Winter Carnival, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, watching hockey games and curling matches, weather, photography and cameras, events and people in Concord, going to Skoki to ski, going to the movies and seeing friend's homemade films, the birth of Russ and Kitty's first child Gale in late February [Edith's first grandchild], watching ski races at Norquay, converting an outbuilding from a garage/one bedroom into a garage/darkroom, dinner and tea parties [both at home and around town], sketching/painting, discussions of operas Edith has seen, Pete going to Vancouver for a few days in mid-April to help his parents [Dave was advised to go to sea level by doctors to help with ailments he'd been having], wildlife, developing photos and print-making, various holidays [both Canadian and American], descriptions of meals and various recipes, yardwork and redoing the driveway, Catharine going to Concord for a month [mid-May to mid-June], construction of a new road to Norquay ski camp, Pete constructing a cover for the back of their truck to be used for camping, going to Calgary for the Stampede, Banff Indian Days, and camping trips around Lake Louise and Yoho National Park.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly hand-written, some typed - typed letters often have hand-written post scripts.
A few letters written on lodge/hotel letterhead.
Most letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
Some letters have numbers written in pencil or red pencil crayon in the upper margin of the first pages from an unknown project.
97 - 16 contains a sketch of the garage outbuilding and the plans to convert half of it into a darkroom.
File pertains to 68 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from April 12 to October 19, 1936. Topics include returning from a trip out east by train, going to Skoki for a few days in April [including updates on the new camp buildings and access road], w…
2.8 cm of textual records (117 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 68 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from April 12 to October 19, 1936. Topics include returning from a trip out east by train, going to Skoki for a few days in April [including updates on the new camp buildings and access road], weather, skiing and ski conditions, film-making, visits from friends and visitors, matters pertaining to the house [opening and closing it as they come and go from various trips], errand trips to Calgary, watching hockey games, going to the movies, leaving for Hawaii via Vancouver in early May [sailing on the Empress of Canada], books Catharine and Edith are reading, arriving in Hawaii and eventually getting settled at the Grand Hotel in Wailuku, Maui, visiting with friends, descriptions of meals, photography and cameras, relocating to the Moana Hotel in Honolulu in mid-May, sightseening and day trips around the islands, sketching, descriptions of other ships coming and going from the harbour, details of the trip back to Banff in mid-June, radio programs [mostly news and operas], cleaning and household chores, events and people in Concord, camping trips, maintenance and upkeep of the house and property, painting/sketching, various holidays [both Canadian and American], the Calgary Stampede, Banff Indian days, the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip [based out of Lake O'Hara] in early August, matters pertaining to the store, Edith purchasing a painting of two moose from Carl Rungius, developing photographs, a two-week trip to Lake O'Hara in late August/early September to paint and hike [also includes details of other people there, day to day activies, and the subjects painted/sketched], day trips around the national park to take photographs and hike [mostly in the Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Bow Lake areas], and preparing for a trip out to Concord at the end of October.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
The first 10 or so letters have been numbered in pencil in the upper margin of the page as part of an unknown project.
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 26, 1949. Topics include holiday activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, bonspiels, watching local hockey games, the Banff Winter Carnival, weather, events and …
1.7 cm of textual records (101 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 26, 1949. Topics include holiday activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, bonspiels, watching local hockey games, the Banff Winter Carnival, weather, events and people in Concord, a train crash east of Banff in late February [no one was injured, Syd Vallance was on the train], new household appliances like a washing machine [Bendix] and electric sewing machine, world news, radio programs, photography, painting, Catharine going to Concord in May [she was called back to Banff early due to concerns for Pete's mental health], the death and funeral of Norman Sanson, and Pete and Catharine going to Victoria and Vancouver for the month of June [they stayed at the Empress in Victoria and the Hotel Georgia in Vancouver before moving to an apartment at the Ritz Vancouver].
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
124-21 contains a note written after Catharine's post script, possibly by Pete.
File pertains to seven diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1957-1967 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and the western United States.
Includes:
M67 / 4 - 1 : black leather diary, dated 57 58 59 in red paint on the front cover. Pertains to the last few days of the summer 1957 trip …
7.8 cm of textual records (7 volumes ; 11 x 17.8 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to seven diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1957-1967 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and the western United States.
Includes:
M67 / 4 - 1 : black leather diary, dated 57 58 59 in red paint on the front cover. Pertains to the last few days of the summer 1957 trip carried over from M67 / 3 - 6, a trip in 1958 involving travel to Banff, the annual Alpine Club of Canada hike, staying at the Chateau Lake Louise, hiking in Lake O'Hara, and travel back to Pennsylvania. Trip details for 1959 include travelling by train from the United States to Montreal before continuing on to Banff where she took trips to Lake O'Hara and Skoki - entries for 1959 seem to end abruptly. Also includes lists of people met over the three years, equipment used for various trips, and a list of events since Sept. 1958 including the opening of the new Sulphur gondola on July 28, 1958, the tearing down of the Brewster stables on Spray Ave, and the conversion of the ski lodge to the Post Hotel in Lake Louise.
M67 / 4 - 2 : black leather diary, dated 59 in red paint and end 1959-1962 on a piece of paper taped to the front cover. Pertains to the remainder of August 1959 (carried over from M67 / 4 - 2), and summer trips taken during 1960-1962 consisting of time spent around the Banff townsite, Lake O'Hara, and Bow Lake areas, annual organized hikes with the Alpine Club of Canada, as well as travel to and from Pennsylvania - usually by train. Also includes lists of people she met, new additions to staff at hotels Lillian Gest stayed at, luggage details, and events pertaining to Banff like construction projects, births, marriages, and deaths (including the death of Jack White in 1962, his house now being a library, and the fate of the grocery store he ran).
M67 / 4 - 3 : black leather diary, dated 1962-1964 in red paint on the cover. Pertains to the end of Lillian Gest's 1962 summer trip (carried over from M76 / 4 - 2) and trips taken during the summers of 1963 and 1964. The 1963 summer consists of travel from Pennsylvania to Banff by train, stays at various hotels (including the Club House [possibly the Alpine Club of Canada Club House], Moraine Lake Lodge, and Emerald Lake Lodge), hiking trips in Revelestoke Park and Lake O'Hara, the annual Sky Line Trail Hikers trip, and alternating between stays in Lake O'Hara and at the Club House before returning home. The 1964 summer followed a similar pattern, with stays at various hotels, hikes (both with and without organizations like the Sky Line Trail Hikers and the ACC), and travel between Pennsylvania and Banff by train. Also includes lists of people met during all three summers, equipment left in Banff (1963), a poem titled How To Die in the Mountains, evelvation of Golden, milages, and rates at the Lake O'Hara Lodge and Chateau Lake Louise. Pertains to trip to the Canadian Rockies during the summer of 1965. Includes stays around the Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake O'Hara, and Icefield Chalet areas as well as hikes with and without organizations such as the Alpine Club of Canada and the Skyline Trail Hikers. Also includes details about booking information throughout Yoho National Park, a list of mileages, and a list of events.
M67 / 4 - 4 : gold embossed red plastic spiral bound diary titled Can R. 1965 on adhesive paper on front cover. Pertains to the summer of 1965 and includes time spent in Banff, trips to and around Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara, the Icefiled Parkway, and Mt. Robson areas as well as stays at the The Club House (possibly the Alpine Club of Canada Club House), a trip with the Sky Line Trail Hikers in Little Yoho (Aug 1-5) and the annual ACC Camp (Aug 23 - Sept 3). The trip back to Pennsylvania was completed by train as far as Winnipeg, from where Gest took a plane. Also includes Lake O'Hara register notes, details on Yoho National Park, lists of mileages, books at the ACC Club House and its staff that year, 1965 events (unclear if entirely dedicated to Banff), and people met.
M67 / 4 - 5 : gold embossed red plastic spiral bound diary. Pertains to a trip to Alaska during the summer of 1966 and a trip to Expo 67 in Montreal from June 21-26. Also includes details on animals and birds spotted in Alaska, people met, and names of staff at places Lillian Gest stayed.
M67 / 4 - 6 : black leather diary, dated 1966 on a piece of paper taped to the front cover. Pertains to the remainder of Lillian Gest's summer 1966 travels throughout the Canadian Rockies (an extension of the Alaska trip detailed in M67 / 4 - 5). Also includes lists of items left in Banff and items purchased in both Alaska and Canada, reminders about correspondence, notes about Lake O'Hara, and events from Banff.
M67 / 4 - 7 : brown cardstock diary with black fabric tape on spine. Pertains to a trip to the Canadian Rockies in the summer of 1967 and includes hiking trips with and without organizations like the Alpine Club of Canada and the Sky Line Trail Hikers, as well as stays in Banff, Lake Louise, Glacier, Lake O'Hara, and the [probably ACC] Club House. Also mentions Expo 67 (details of that trip in M67/ 4 - 5), and contains lists of staff at the Lake O'Hara Lodge, Chateau Lake Louise, and the Club House, as well as events from around Banff, including the Mount Royal Hotel burning down.
Also includes loose items consisting of a brochure for the 1965 Sky Line Trail Hikers and address list, a letter from Caroline HInman regarding a 1959 trip plan, notes written by Lillian Gest [possibly reminders], a postcard, a Chirstmas letter from Peter and Catharine Whyte, and newspaper clippins.
Notes
Blank pages not scanned.
To read M67 / 4 - 7 start on the right-hand pages to the end, return to the front, flip the book upside-down and continue back to front.
File pertains to six diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1968-1975 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies.
Includes:
M67 / 5 - 1 : black leather diary. Pertains to summer trips taken during the summers of 1968 and 1969. Summer 1968 includes travel between Banff and Pennsylvania by airplane and …
7.5 cm of textual records (6 volumes ; 10.8 x 17.7 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to six diaries kept by Lillian Gest from 1968-1975 from travels throughout the Canadian Rockies.
Includes:
M67 / 5 - 1 : black leather diary. Pertains to summer trips taken during the summers of 1968 and 1969. Summer 1968 includes travel between Banff and Pennsylvania by airplane and hiking and visiting around Banff, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara and the Icefields Parway areas. Summer 1969 time spent in Banff, along the Icefields Parkway, and in the Golden and Lake O'Hara areas as well as various club activities as part of the Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes lists of birds seen, reservation details, people met and staff of various places, events from Banff (including the death of Fred Brewster and Catharine Whyte receiving an honourary degree), song lyrics, and [what is possibly] a joke.
M67 / 5 - 2 : black leather diary, dated 1970 in white ink (possibly white out) on the front cover. Pertains to a 1970 trip to the Canadian Rockies and includes hikes with and without organizations like the Alpine Club of Canada and the Sky Line Trail Hikers as well as stays at the Banff Springs Hotel, the ACC Club House, Lake O'Hara, and the Bugaboo Lodge, BC. Also includes transcriptions from the Abbot Pass Hut Register from 1926-1939 (presumably only of people Lillian Gest knew personally), reservation details, lists of people met, and a list of events from 1970, including the sale of the ACC Club House for $70, 000 (does not mention to who).
M67 / 5 - 3 : black leather diary, dated 1971 in ink on masking tape adhered to the front cover. Pertains to a summer visit in 1971 to the Canadian rockies and includes stays around the Banff, Lake Louise, and Lake O'Hara areas, hiking trips with and without organizations like the Sky Line Trail Hikers and the Alpine Club of Canada, and travel between Banff and Pennsylvania by air. Newspaper clipping on page 125 pertaining to the death of Edmee Brewster. Also includes lists of people met and staff (Lake O'Hara Lodge, Chateau Lake Louise, ACC Club House), events from Banff, list of birds, details for a Bow Valley Naturalists trip, and the plaque dedication ceremony for Lawrence Grassi at Lake O'Hara, June 26, 1971.
M67 / 5 - 4 : black leather diary, dated 1972 in black ink on fabric tape adhered to the front cover. Pertains to the summer of 1972 spent in the Canadian Rockies time spent in and around the Banff, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara, Jasper, and Tonquin Valley areas as well as travel between Banff and Pennsylvania by air. Insert pertains to diary entries for the final few days of September as the book ran out of pages. Also inlcudes lists of people met, birds spotted at Lake O'Hara, and list of events from Banff (including the move of the Moore house to its current location).
M67 / 5 - 5 : black leather diary, dated 1973-1974 To July 20 in ink on a piece of masking tape adhered to the front cover (1973 to 7-20 1974 in faint red paint directly on leather of cover). Pertains to the summers of 1973 and 1974 spent in and around the Canadian Rockies. Summer 1973 includes stays in the Banff, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara, and Bow Lake areas as well as hiking trips with and without organizations like the Sky Line Trail Hikers and the Alpine Club of Canada. Summer 1974 includes stays at various hotels around Banff and in the Lake Louise and Lake O'Hara areas, a helicopter trip to and from Mt. Assiniboine and region, and organized hiking trips with the Sky Line Trail Hikers. Also includes lists of staffs and people met, birds spotted at Lake O'Hara, distances, and a list of events from 1973.
M67 / 5 - 6 : black leather diary, titled Sat July 20 1974 to 1975 - Thurs July 14 in ink on fabric [possibly plastic] adhered to the front cover. Pertains to the remainder of the summer 1974 trip (July-September) continued from M67 / 5 - 5 and details from June and July, 1975. The summer 1975 trip included travel between Banff and Pennsylvania by train [heading west] and plane [headed east], stays around Banff, Lake O'Hara, and Lake Louise, and hiking trips with and without organizations like the Sky Line Trail Hikers and the Alpine Club of Canada. Also includes lists of people met, reservation details, ACC Camp details for 1975, Sky Line Hikers trip dates and locations, and events from Banff 1975 including the ACC Club House being completely torn down.
Also includes loose items consisting of notes (to Lillian Gest from others and to herself), reminders, invoices, itineraries, and newspaper clippings.
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to December 27, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [m…
1 cm of textual records (71 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 43 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 2 to December 27, 1955. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], errand trips to Calgary, Catharine's nephew Rusty arriving [he worked at Bow Lake helping with hunting parties in July], trips to Bow Lake, Banff Indian Days, a climbing tragedy on Mt. Temple in July wherein several young boys died, visits to the Campbell's ranch in Cowley, attending a Sun Dance ceremony near Fort Macleod, camping and sketching trips around Banff National Park, the Alberta Jubilee celebrations, a trip to Concord in October [they took the train down and drove back in a newly purchased Jeep], construction of the new Trans-Canada Highway through Banff, working on the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas parties. Also includes postcards and notecards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
Some letters written on Num-Ti-Jaw Lodge letterhead, one written on Banff Shell Station letterhead.
File pertains to 56 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to December 30, 1939. Topics include going on the annual Skyline Trail Hike to the Ptarmigan Valley in early August, day to day life, weather, painting/sketching [a mix of personal projects and…
1.7 cm of textual records (93 pages ; 20 x 24.9 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 56 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to December 30, 1939. Topics include going on the annual Skyline Trail Hike to the Ptarmigan Valley in early August, day to day life, weather, painting/sketching [a mix of personal projects and commissions done both at home and out in the Park], visits from friends and visitors, slide making, photography and cameras [including colour photography], events and people in Concord, minor repairs/projects to the house and property [including installing a new water heater on the second floor], updates on Dave White's health, radio programs [mostly operas and the news], the declaration of war on Germany in early September [as well as details pertaining to local recruitment efforts and general preparations], day trips to Lake Louise, wildlife, descriptions of meals, Edith going to the 1939 World's Fair in New York City [September], construction on the new addition to the house throughout October [including a new furnace room, bathroom, and dark room on the ground floor, extending the studio on the second floor, and facing the side of the house in stone], cleaning and household chores, errand trips to Calgary, books Catharine and Edith are reading, a large blizzard at the end of October, birthdays, various holidays [both Canadian and American], attending first aid classes at the school, putting together the annual Christmas card, and various other Christmas activities and parties.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. All typed letters are written on a single side of paper, hand-written letters are mostly double-sided.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
107-19 contains a sketch of a mushroom on the back of the first page.
107-36 contains a sketch of the Whyte compound and details of the new extention to Pete and Catharine's house.
File pertains to 62 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 1 to December 31, 1945. Topics include Pete and Catharine's 15th wedding anniversary, day to day life, errand trips to Calgary [usually by bus], wildlife, Ski Club meetings, the Calgary Stampede, B…
1.4 cm of textual records (77 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 62 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 1 to December 31, 1945. Topics include Pete and Catharine's 15th wedding anniversary, day to day life, errand trips to Calgary [usually by bus], wildlife, Ski Club meetings, the Calgary Stampede, Banff events, visits from friends, attending a Sun Dance in Morely in July [held to celebrate the end of the war], painting, photography, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], World War II officially ending August 15 and its various celebrations, cleaning and household chores [including renovations to the chimney], going to the movies, day trips around Banff National Park [usually to Lake Louise/Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, and the immediate Banff town area] to paint/sketch and take pictures, Major Fred Bagley's funeral in October, strikes in the US and Canada [primarily butchers and coal miners], d'Arcy Baker-Carr being released from a Japanese POW camp and coming back to Canada, Catharine mounting slides, skiing, watching curling games, putting together the annual Christmas card, and various other holiday activities.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoplesand Japanese people used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters written on RCAF letterhead.
File pertains to 69 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from March 23 to August 29, 1942. Topics include day to day life, weather, Catharine's Home Nursing classes, cleaning and household chores, news pertaining to the war, updates on war-time rations [mostly on …
1.5 cm of textual records (72 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 69 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from March 23 to August 29, 1942. Topics include day to day life, weather, Catharine's Home Nursing classes, cleaning and household chores, news pertaining to the war, updates on war-time rations [mostly on food items and gasoline/coal], visits from friends, Kay Baker-Carr and her kids moving to Banff in April [D'Arcy is stationed in Hong Kong], uncertainties surrounding Pete's volunteer status in the war effort, matters pertaining to the store and apartments on Banff Ave [including the construction of new apartments], a visit from the Governor General in late April, errand trips to Calgary [mostly to see the dentist], going to the movies, bike riding and hiking, radio programs [mostly operas and the news], wildlife, books Catharine and Edith are reading, events and people in Concord [including Russel's activities in the US Army], various holidays [both Canadian and American], Catharine's involvement with the Red Cross, slide making and presentations, Pete and Catharine participating in an art show at [possibly] the Mount Royal Hotel, Jean Caird coming to visit for July, sightseeing trips around Banff National Park [including the Lake Louise area, Temple, and Bow Lake], going to the Calgary Stampede, Banff Indian Days, participating in the annual Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies hike in the Sunshine area [late July], Pete becoming the acting Quartermaster [for the Airforce?] in early August, painting/sketching, and various other Banff community activities.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoplesand Japanese people used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 26 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from May 20 to July 30, 1934. Topics include travelling around China, sight-seeing, arriving in Peking and details of their trip there by river boat and train [also includes details of the city …
2.1 cm of textual records (150 pages ; 21.4 x 27.8 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 26 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from May 20 to July 30, 1934. Topics include travelling around China, sight-seeing, arriving in Peking and details of their trip there by river boat and train [also includes details of the city itself], comments on the presence of Japanese soldiers in China, descriptions of the countryside [specifically farms], conversations with other travellers, weather, local foods, comparisons between Japan and China, descriptions of the hotels they stay in, different modes of transportation [busses, rickshaws, carriages, and the like], children, local fashions, temples, photography, visiting the Forbidden City [unclear if they actually went into the City], sketching, shops and shopping, their local guides, politics and world affairs [as they apply to China], various holidays [mostly North American], meeting up with D'Arcy Baker-Carr, visiting the Great Wall of China, travelling to Shanghai by train in early June, going to Hong Kong by ship, Catharine's 29th birthday [celebrated aboard ship], other travellers and sights from the water, books and magazines [also occasionally newspapers] that Pete and Catharine are reading, exploring Hong Kong [the city itself as well as the island] during their 10-day stay, people and events in Concord, leaving Hong Kong for Bali at the end of June, observations about the ship and the passengers, travel conditions, descriptions of other boats, short visits on land when their ship docked along the route, arriving in Bali and exploring the area, local people and wildlife, walking along the beaches, meeting with friends from Canada, and preparing for the next leg of their trip.
Notes
Please note: language and attitudes pertaining to Asian people [especially Chinese and Japanese] used throughout is outdated offensive.
Most letters are written on hotel/ship letterhead.
Most letters have been numbered in red pencil in the upper margin for an unknown project.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
95 - 03 page 4 contains a sketch of a cross-bow.
95 - 07 appears to be missing the last page[s].
95 - 14 page 2 contains sketches in pencil of a Chinese ship and a woman with a child on her back.
95 - 25 appears to be missing the last page[s].
File pertains to 45 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from June 11 to October 3, 1937. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, world news [often pertaining to politics and the British Royal family], maintenance and upkeep …
1.7 cm of textual records (108 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 45 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from June 11 to October 3, 1937. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, world news [often pertaining to politics and the British Royal family], maintenance and upkeep of the house and property [mostly landscaping], cleaning and household chores, weather, gifting a stove to the Simpsons for use at Bow Lake [currently a camp], events and people in Concord, various holidays [both Canadian and American], day trips around the National Park [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Moraine Lake], making frames and prepping canvas for painting, books Catharine and Edit are reading, dinner parties, rearranging the kitchen [including getting a new refrigerator and a new table with two bench seats], trips to Bow Lake to paint throughout the summer, hiking, wildlife [often in the yard], updates on the new trail being built from Moraine Lake to Taylor Lake, Banff Indian Days, photography and cameras, print-making, descriptions of meals, the birth of Russ and Kitty's first son in July [Russle Jr. aka Rusty], the annual Sky Line Trail Hikers trip in early August [Pete' s last year as President], trips to Lake O'Hara and Assiniboine to paint and hike throughout August and September [the trip to and from Assiniboine was carried out on horseback], painting/sketching, activities and people at various camps, descriptions of the weather and conditions riding in and out of Assiniboine, developing and colouring photographs, working on a portrait of Mark Poucette, and news of Margaret and Mary Simpson going to Boston to skate.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
102 - 07 contains a sketch of the main floor of the Whyte home illustrating the placement of the new dining table.
File pertains to 65 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 31, 1939. Topics include New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, Christmas presents, radio programs [mostly operas and the news, but also plays], books Catharine and Edith are read…
Date Range
1939
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 106
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
they are having this year .
�I am quite sure that I have inherited
Grand- Pa ' s "Library Table habits" our desk
2.3 cm of textual records (138 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 65 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to July 31, 1939. Topics include New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, Christmas presents, radio programs [mostly operas and the news, but also plays], books Catharine and Edith are reading, day to day life, weather, slide-making, skiing at Norquay, visits from friends and visitors, descriptions of meals, wildlife [often in the yard], print-making, photography and cameras, events and people in Concord, day trips to Lake Louise, the Winter Carnival, construction of the Mount Temple Chalet finishing and subsequent trips to Temple to ski, cleaning and household chores, trips to Skoki to ski, painting/sketching, photography, updates on Dave White's health, errand trips to Calgary, various holidays [both Canadian and American], planning a new additon to the back of the house, going to Victoria and back in April-May [they stayed in Lethbridge, Nelson, Grand Forks, Kamloops, and Vancouver before arriving in Victoria by car and then took the train back to Banff from Prince George through Revelstoke and Golden], preparing the house for renovations [includes deep cleaning and having the floors sanded], the King and Queen visiting in late May, the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, Russ' health concerns, short trips around the mountains to paint/sketch [mostly up to Bow Lake/Saskatchewan River Crossing and into Yoho National Park], the Calgary Stampede, Banff Indian Days, progress on the construction of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake, and preparing for the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some are written on hotel/lodge letterhead. Most typed letters are written on a single side of paper, hand-written letters are mostly double-sided.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
106 - 47 contains details of the 1939 Royal Visit.
File pertains to 119 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to December 31, 1947. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, hockey games [on the radio and live], curling, skiing, cameras and phot…
2.4 cm of textual records (142 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 119 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to December 31, 1947. Topics include New Years activities, day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, weather, hockey games [on the radio and live], curling, skiing, cameras and photography, events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, painting [including making sketches for a show in Montreal next year], Jim Brewster's death and funeral in February, ski races and ski jumping at Norquay, the Winter Carnival, Catharine working with the local Red Cross, business pertaining to the shop and apartments on Banff Ave, cleaning and household chores, matters pertaining to the Ski Club, gardening, day trips around Banff National Park for sketching and picnics, Banff Indian Days [including helping Norman Luxton by handling the financials], the Calgary Stampede, going to Calgary for a few days in August for Pete to see an ear specialist [they stay at the Hotel Paliser], beginning construction of a ski lift at Norquay and of the new Banff Art School [Banff School of Fine Arts], Gray & Eleanor Campbell moving to their ranch in Cowley, minor renovations to the house [mostly pertaining to water lines and the roof], expansion of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge [adding the dining room, entrance hall, and second floor], construction of the new Hudson's Bay Store and a new hotel on Banff Ave [possibly the King Edward], the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, errand trips to Calgary, making the annual Christmas card, and various Christmas/holiday activities and parties.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout. Some letters have small notes written in pencil, possibly by Edith or Pete.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
122-01 contains quotes from two letters [September 12 & August 7, 1947] written by an unknown author.
122-57 contains a few interesting anecdotes about life in Anthracite.
File pertains to 34 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 3 to November 3, 1952. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, installing electrical outlet…
1.2 cm of textual records (63 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 34 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from July 3 to November 3, 1952. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, installing electrical outlets in the living room, trips to Bow Lake, Banff Indian Days [including having David and Peggy (Rider) Bearspaw stay the night with Peter and Catharine during a bad storm], the Jasper Park Lodge burning down [July 15], the funeral for John Murray Gibbon, camping/sketching trips to Yoho National Park, several visits by Rockwell and Betty Kent, and leaving for a road trip to Concord for Christmas [Peter and Catharine left in late October and drove to Massachusetts]. Also includes an airmail card.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
131 - 07 [dated July 24, 1952] describes making a sound recording with Jacob Twoyoungmen and family. See S37 / 73 for actual recording
131 - 08 appears to have been cut 3/4 up the page prior to accession.
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1956. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mo…
Date Range
1956
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 138
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Private record
and is to build a museum and
Library in CalagJy wbicb Dr ~eeacbman is bead or. D
on is quite young
and we just
1.3 cm of textual records (87 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 71 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 1 to June 29, 1956. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], construction of the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff to Lake Louise, Pete giving Frank Kaquitts painting lessons, the death and funeral of David Bearspaw in February, the Winter Carnival, opening the new post office, a visit to Gray and Elanor Campbell's ranch in Cowley, a trip to Bow Lake, Catharine's 50th birthday, and her nephew Rusty arriving for a visit. Also includes one notecard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
138 - 08 is a carbon copy of the first page of 138 - 07
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 5 to December 30, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs …
1.8 cm of textual records (104 pages ; 22.3 x 27.4 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 67 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 5 to December 30, 1958. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, painting, photography, wildlife, travel, camping, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs [mostly news and hockey games], various holidays [both Canadian and American], a road trip from north-eastern United States through Canada back to Banff in early August [written mostly on postcards], a trip to Lethbridge in late August, various construction projects [the new Sulphur Mountain gondola, the chimney and basement furnace of their house, and the Trans-Canada Highway], a trip to Concord in late November, and preparation of Chirstmas cards. Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Also includes postcards and a Christmas card.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Many typed letters have hand-written notes added throughout; many post scripts are hand-written.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
143 - 39 includes a sketch of a shelving unit Catharine hoped to have installed in their bedroom.
143 - 64 is the 1958 Christmas card made by Catharine and Peter
File pertains to 44 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to November 20, 1935. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a trip to Lake O'Hara in early August following the annual Skyline Trail Hikers tri…
1 cm of textual records (70 pages ; 21.2 x 26.3 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 44 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from August 1 to November 20, 1935. Topics include day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, weather, a trip to Lake O'Hara in early August following the annual Skyline Trail Hikers trip, photography and cameras, hiking/climbing, wildflowers, activities and people at camp, Pete's work on commission paintings/photography projects, events and people in Concord, trips to Bow Lake to paint, dinner and tea parties [both at home and around town], overnight camping trips to Lake Louise to paint, going to the movies and seeing friend's homemade films, going back to Lake O'Hara in early September to paint and hike, Russ and Kitty's travels and activities, day trips around the National Park [mostly to Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Moraine Lake] to paint/sketch, updates on what Pete and Catharine's friends are doing [mostly as it pertains to Skoki and Assiniboine Lodges], wildlife, an overnight trip to Calgary [and a visit to Morley on the way back] in early October, 3 young Doukhobor fugitives escaping police custody that resulted in a chase and shootout in Banff National Park [October 6 - 7] and the subsequent funerals, developing photos and print-making, politics [mostly pertaining to the provincial and federal elections], various holidays [both Canadian and American], skiing, matters pertaining to the Ski Club, and preparing to leave for a trip to Concord at the end of November.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
A few letters written on lodge letterhead.
Most letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
Some letters have numbers written in pencil in the upper margin of the first pages from an unknown project.
File pertains to 69 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 26, 1936, to June 9, 1937. Topics include Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, gifts given and received, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, Ame…
2.5 cm of textual records (98 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 69 hand-written letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from December 26, 1936, to June 9, 1937. Topics include Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and activities, gifts given and received, day to day life, visits from friends and visitors, American newspapers Catharine is interested in, radio programs [mostly news and operas], weather, cleaning and household chores, maintenance and upkeep of the house and property [including the construction of a screened-in porch at the back of the house, remodelling the stairs, building a darkroom on the second floor, and building a new garage], events and people in Concord, the opening of the new Administration building on the south side of the river [the Post Office is relocated here], painting/sketching, watching hockey games, skiing, descriptions of meals, the Winter Carnival, going to the movies [and Edith going to various plays], the Dominion Ski Championship being held at Norquay in March, photography and cameras, responsibilities and activities pertaining to the Ski Club, Edith's trip to Florida in March, books Catharine and Edith are reading, various holidays [both Canadian and American], trips to Skoki Lodge to ski and paint [also includes details of people who were also there, meals, and conversations], the coronation of King George VI and Queen Mary in May, the death of Catharine's Aunt Jane [Edith's sister?], day trips around the National Park to paint/sketch and have picnics with family, dinner and tea parties, print-making, frame making, and various other community events.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Some letters are written on hotel/lodge letterhead.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
101 - 31 contains a sketch of the newly remodelled stairs in the Whyte home.
101 - 43 insert may or may not belong to this specific letter - no identifying marks can be found on it.
101 - 59 is a brochure advertising Lake Minnewaska Mountain Houses, New York, and does not appear to be associated to a specific letter and so has been scanned as it's own entry.
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of the…
Date Range
1950
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 126
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
from ijiss
Barret offering to send us some books for the library, awfully
good of her . and a nice letter
1.6 cm of textual records (93 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 51 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 2 to June 30, 1950. Topics include day to day life, Banff events, visits from friends, photography, painting, weather [including temperatures down to -50F (-45C) in January], the CPR test of their new diesel engines, events and people in Concord, world news, radio programs, the North American Ski Championship in February [for which Pete designed pins], the Banff Winter Carnival, installing fluorescent lights in the kitchen [prior to that they had "temporary" lights], purchasing a new Jeep stationwagon, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor visiting Banff in April, driving to Concord in May and back to Banff in June, plans for Banff Indian Days, a trip to Bow Lake, and Pete and Catharine's 20th wedding anniversary. Also includes postcards.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are typed and hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clear…
Date Range
1952
Reference Code
M36 / I / A / 2b / i / 130
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Postcard
Private record
to borrow some film and stayed a while to talk of the library
etc . and then as he left Ronny Duke dropped
1.2 cm of textual records (72 pages ; 21.4 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fond level description.
Scope & Content
File pertains to 53 letters written by Catharine Robb Whyte to her mother, Edith Morse Robb from January 3 to June 28, 1952. Topics include New Year's Eve events, day to day life, Banff events, visitis from friends, photography, painting, weather, events and people in Concord, radio programs, clearing a new ski run on Norquay, Gray Campbell starting on his first book ["We Found Peace"], the death of King Geroge VI in February, the Winter Carnival [called "Silver City"], installing a new hot water tank in the house, Peter submitting a painting to a competition for ex-RCAF men to be sent to the Queen, clearing trees from their yard, buying a new Jeep, being interviewed by Ken Liddel in June, and camping/sketching trips to Lake Louise and Bow Lake. Also includes a postcard.
Notes
Please note: language pertaining to Indigenous Peoples used throughout is outdated and may be offensive.
Letters are mostly typed, some hand-written. Many typed letters have hand-written notes and post scripts added throughout.
Some letters are marked with a small x in pencil, indicating where Jon Whyte made notes for use in his project "Catharine Robb Whyte, Peter Whyte: Commemorative Portfolio," originally published in 1981.
130 - 16 has a section cut out from the middle of the page.
130 - 24 appears to be missing the first page of the letter.
130 - 28 contains a recreation by Catharine of a design Jon Whyte made of a Weaving School he thought his mother should start.