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 106 photographs depicting special events, gatherings and trips attended by Eleanor Luxton between 1990 and 1993. Content pertains to the reopening of the Luxton Museum under Indigenous ownership [1992], the opening of the new wing of the Whyte Museum in 1993, an 80th birthday party…
106 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 106 photographs depicting special events, gatherings and trips attended by Eleanor Luxton between 1990 and 1993. Content pertains to the reopening of the Luxton Museum under Indigenous ownership [1992], the opening of the new wing of the Whyte Museum in 1993, an 80th birthday party for Mary[?] which Eleanor attended, and family trips to Kootenay Lake in British Columbia.
File consists of 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at…
File consists of 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at the snowshoe tramp for the Banff Winter Carnival (1919-1920); snapshots from a trip to Big Bend (1930); Norman Sanson's 1000th ascent of Sulphur Mountain in 1931; class photographs from the Mountain School (1932, 1935); various trips with Carl Rungius, including Lake McArthur and Lake O'Hara (1933), Ottawa (1945), and the Laurentians (1949); a trip to the Panama Canal (1933); miscellaneous photographs of school events (including the Alma Mater Society election that resulted in Dorothy being the first female president) of Dorothy and friends at Queen's University (1938-1941); the Swedish Legation in Ottawa (1946-1950); and photographs of Frank Kaquitts and his artwork (1963).
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the backside of the print.
V75 / I / PA -193 : Includes an accompanying list identifying everyone in the class photograph (Dorothy attended the Mountain School as a young child).
V75 / I / PA -239 to 247 : includes handwritten notes regarding Frank Kaquitts. Dorothy originally filed these images with M521 / I / A / 10 ([Indigenous] Story Material).
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messag…
34 photographs : b&w prints ; 12.5 x 15 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messages written to Norman Luxton. Photograph images pertain to a fishing trip in Grande Prairie; men in military uniforms during World War II, including some taken during active duty in England; personal and group portraits; a war monument in Verdun, France; historic ships and boats; scenic views of Mistaya Canyon and Minnewanka; wildlife, including birds and a marten; and family pets.
Notes
Annotations on some photographs partly illegible or difficult to discern
File consists of published books and pamphlets pertaining to various subjects, including New York Sun newspaper correspondent Bob Davis; a reference book of medical dosages, weights and nutritional values; information about the Church of England; information on the Alberta Election Act; statistical…
1.5 cm of textual records (6 volumes ; 23 x 32 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of published books and pamphlets pertaining to various subjects, including New York Sun newspaper correspondent Bob Davis; a reference book of medical dosages, weights and nutritional values; information about the Church of England; information on the Alberta Election Act; statistical information on Japan's educational system; and Inuit art styles and design methods.
Notes
Book titled "Canadian Eskimo Art" stamped twice on front cover with workds "HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY" and has blank form and envelope for sign-out slips attached inside front cover and on first page.
File consists of one album containing travel photographs, mostly captioned. Content pertains to Eleanor Luxton's national and international travels between ca. 1935 and 1940. Locations include the United States, Ontario, Quebec, Panama and Cuba. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families and…
1 album (ca. 360 b&w and col. prints ; 9 x 14 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one album containing travel photographs, mostly captioned. Content pertains to Eleanor Luxton's national and international travels between ca. 1935 and 1940. Locations include the United States, Ontario, Quebec, Panama and Cuba. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families and local scenics in Panama, buildings and landscapes, the 1939 World Fair in New York, boats and dockyard views, art portraits, Niagara Falls, monuments and statues. Most items are captioned with their respective subjects / locations, 4 items are colorized [rest are b&w].
Notes
Some items are postcard prints, vast majority are photograph prints
Material Details
Photographs are secured with paper corner fasteners attached to pages with adhesive