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 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Record…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 30 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Records were filed in an envelope that was titled "Book Notes."
Notable people include James Wardle, J.B. Harkin, Pat Brewster, Arthur Unwin, Dr. Brett, Norman Sanson, and Bill Peyto, among others. Notable places and topics include the organization of the Department of the Interior, the Banff-Windemere Highway, Rocky Mountain Park and Park Wardens, Kootenay National Park fires, coal and precious metal mines (e.g. Bankhead, Silver City), trail riding and hiking, research about James Wardle and his accomplishments, Ya-Ha-Tinda, and various parks (e.g. Glacier, Revelstoke, Elk Island, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Other records include a handwritten letter to the Auld family in Scotland (cousins of Sheila Ritchie) with a story about Glenbow and a highland cow from Oban, Scotland; personal reflections on the Banff area and mountains in general; notes that Dorothy took while doing research at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Public Library; and a variety of newspaper clippings.
Notes
Includes request slips and stationary from the archives at the Whyte Museum.
Potentially includes a handwritten list of Dorothy's written works.
Newspaper clippings primarily from the Times Colonist, which is published in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the slips of paper are taped together. Was unable to remove them without damaging the materials. May present conservation issues in the future.
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks,…
11.5 cm of textual records (32 x 42 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks, 1743-1860 (1943); four booklets related to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies (1934-1950); a booklet titled "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" (1928); an assortment of recipes; "The Margaret P. Hess Collection" booklet published by the University of Calgary (1977) and a related Calgary Herald newspaper clipping (1986); one Carl Rungius postcard; and six miscellaneous postcards depicting a former school teacher of Leette Wardle (1911), James Wardle at the Cave and Basin (1920), the Wardles in San Francisco (n.d.), two unidentified men (n.d.), and visitors to the Banff Springs Hotel (n.d.).
Notes
Book of Common Prayer inscribed with: “Martha Morey, November 4, 1872. New Westminster, BC. From her mother.” It belonged to James Wardle's mother.
The Pocket Cook Book contains annotations and written notes tucked in among the pages of the book.
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies booklets kept because the Wardles participated in trail rides and there are photos/mentions of James and Dorothy, and possibly Leette.
The "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" booklet contains a photograph print between pages 32 and 33.
Some of the postcards are annotated on the back, specifically the postcard depicting the Banff Springs Hotel which is addressed to Dorothy.
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amster…
28 cm of textual records (21 x 29.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 28 cm of textual records, 21 x 29.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels overseas and in North America. Records include brochures, pamphlets, postcards (annotated and blank), folded maps and guidebooks, and other travel literature. Destinations include Amsterdam, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, France, Monaco, Scotland, Italy, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and various places in North America.
File consists of 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to…
16 cm of textual records (9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 cm of textual records, 9.5 x 15.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's travels to Europe with her family (1952-1966) and with friends (1974-1988). Records include bound notebooks and several loose pages in which Dorothy recorded her travel experiences, expenses, and keys to slides (both Dorothy and her mother, Leette).
Notes
While traveling in Scotland in 1952, the Wardle family visited Banff.
Some notebooks have loose notes tucked inside. One notebook from 1957 has a related (about Scotland) newspaper clipping tucked inside it.
File consists of 1 hand-made album comprised of 6 colour photographs, 13 x 9 cm. File pertains to the Wardle family's Christmas visits to the Seigniory Club in Montebello, Quebec. File documents the interior and exterior of the hotel during the winter, including the lounge, ice rink, and the Papine…
File consists of 1 hand-made album comprised of 6 colour photographs, 13 x 9 cm. File pertains to the Wardle family's Christmas visits to the Seigniory Club in Montebello, Quebec. File documents the interior and exterior of the hotel during the winter, including the lounge, ice rink, and the Papineau Manor.
Notes
Album is made with yellow paper and bound with a green ribbon.
The Seigniory Club is now known as the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello. The album is undated, but the Seigniory Club opened in 1930 and was leased to the Club until 1970.
Album has "To Mother and Dad, With happy memories of our wonderful Christmases at the Seigniory Club, Dorie" written on the front.
File consists of 1 album comprised of 69 black and white photographs, 17.5 x 11 cm or smaller. File pertains to various family trips and outings with family and friends (including Carl Rungius), primarily in the 1940s. File documents Wardle family trips to Wolfe Island (Ontario), the Seigniory Club…
1 album (69 photographs : b&w ; 17.5 x 11 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1 album comprised of 69 black and white photographs, 17.5 x 11 cm or smaller. File pertains to various family trips and outings with family and friends (including Carl Rungius), primarily in the 1940s. File documents Wardle family trips to Wolfe Island (Ontario), the Seigniory Club in Montebello (Quebec), Banff-Windermere, Assiniboine, Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, Mount Wardle, Bull Creek Ranch (High River), Collins Bay (Ontario), Ghost River, Lake Louise, Kingston (Ontario), and Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, and New York (USA). Includes photographs of family and friends, landmarks and scenery, picnics, James Wardle in front of the sign for Mt. Wardle, and Carl Rungius (1948-1950).
Notes
Album was a gift from Dorothy to her mother, Leette, for her birthday. It is signed: "To Mother for her birthday, May 24, 1951. With love from Dorie."
Album is also labelled "Volume II: Trips, Family, Friends."
V75 / I / PD - 2 is Volume I. Both albums were given to Leette from Dorothy as a birthday present on May 24, 1951.
Album is green with "Photo Album" written in gold on the front, it is bound with a green tassel.
File consists of 1 album comprised of 74 black and white and colour photographs, 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's motor trip across eastern Canada and the United States in July 1951. File documents the family's travels to Ottawa; Quebec City; Fredericton, University of…
1 album (74 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1 album comprised of 74 black and white and colour photographs, 13.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's motor trip across eastern Canada and the United States in July 1951. File documents the family's travels to Ottawa; Quebec City; Fredericton, University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, Fundy National Park; Charlottetown (PEI); Cape Breton Island, Cabot Trail, Halifax, and Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia); Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Photos include scenery, buildings, and the Wardles in front of monuments and other landmarks, as well as a print of the Citadel in Halifax with an accompanying description.
Notes
Album was a Christmas gift from Dorothy to her parents. It is signed: "To Mom and Dad, who helped to make a wonderful trip even more so with love from Dorie, Christmas 1951."
Album is also labelled "The Three Wardles Tour the Maritimes, July 1951."
Album is red with "Photo Album" written in gold on the front, it is bound with a purple tassel.
Most photographs are captioned.
The last page is signed: "The end of another wonderful trip together!" with a drawing of the family sitting in their car.
File consists of 1 album comprised of 32 black and white and colour photographs, 16.5 x 11 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels to various European countries in 1952 and 1957. File documents the family's travels to the Scotland, England, Wales, France, Holland, and Spain.
1 album (32 photographs : b&w and col. ; 16.5 x 11 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 1 album comprised of 32 black and white and colour photographs, 16.5 x 11 cm or smaller. File pertains to the Wardle family's travels to various European countries in 1952 and 1957. File documents the family's travels to the Scotland, England, Wales, France, Holland, and Spain.
Notes
Album is red with "Jumbo 51 Photo Album" written on the front with gold and a gold border.
Most of the photograph prints are captioned on the back with who is in the photograph, where it was taken, and when (year).
There are copies or doubles of photographs inserted behind some of the photographs, which have been kept in the location they were found in.
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board o…
109 photographs : b&w and col. ; 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board of Canada portrait of James Wardle), and sports and leisure (e.g. canoeing, golf). File also includes photographs of Carl Rungius (on his birthday in 1954), Betty Ormond in Peru (with a message addressed to "Dorrie" written on the back of the print), graduation photograph of James Wardle from Queen's (c.1912), and travel photographs from the United States in 1948 (New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (1952). Notable places the photographs depict include Banff (including Banff Train Station), the Great Divide, St. Lawrence River (the Wardle family had a cottage here), Sunshine trail, Mt. Athabasca, Columbia Icefields, Lake O'Hara, Montreal, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Paris (France), Ghost River, Ottawa, Peru, Lake Minnewanka, Elk Island, and Maligne Lake.
Notes
Most (but not all) photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the photograph, when it was taken, and where.