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 24 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Banff Indian Days celebrations in Banff [n.d.]. Includes images of decorated teepees on display in Banff, unidentified Indigenous people on horseback, and a musical performance.
File consists of 24 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Banff Indian Days celebrations in Banff [n.d.]. Includes images of decorated teepees on display in Banff, unidentified Indigenous people on horseback, and a musical performance.
Notes
Negatives in file are accompanied by three original photograph order receipts and envelopes from George Noble's photography company in Banff
Date range is estimate provided by Processing Archivist
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to various members of the Stoney Nakoda community in Mini Thni [?] [Morley] with Georgina Luxton. Images were possibly taken during Banff Indian Days festivities. Images in file are accompanied by a photograph order form in Eleanor Luxton's name from Georg…
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to various members of the Stoney Nakoda community in Mini Thni [?] [Morley] with Georgina Luxton. Images were possibly taken during Banff Indian Days festivities. Images in file are accompanied by a photograph order form in Eleanor Luxton's name from George Noble Photographer in Banff, dated 1934, and an annotated personal note on a business card of Paul Standard.
Notes
Most individuals in photographs are not identified
File consists of 43 photographs pertaining to displays and views inside the Luxton Museum in Banff. Photographs depict artwork, taxidermy displays, wax figures, and visitors inside the museum.
43 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 43 photographs pertaining to displays and views inside the Luxton Museum in Banff. Photographs depict artwork, taxidermy displays, wax figures, and visitors inside the museum.
Album consists of 14 photographs and accompanying notes pertaining to various historical events in Alberta. Photographs in album pertain to the Ranchmen's Club in Calgary; an unidentified Stoney Nakoda chief receiving royalty payments for oil extraction in 1929; a group of police officers gathered …
Album consists of 14 photographs and accompanying notes pertaining to various historical events in Alberta. Photographs in album pertain to the Ranchmen's Club in Calgary; an unidentified Stoney Nakoda chief receiving royalty payments for oil extraction in 1929; a group of police officers gathered outside of a building [possibly the North-West Mounted Police Barracks in Canmore]; a cattle ranch, possibly located on a Blackfoot reserve; and other related subjects.
Notes
Photographs are copies of older images which were reproduced by Eleanor Luxton, ca.1955-1960. Dates and ownership details of original images is unknown.
Album contains 20 photographs pertaining to the Luxton Museum. Includes exterior views, interior views and various displays, and one image of Norman Luxton standing near the museum entrance.
Photographs attributed to "WDM" [William David McDougall?]
Date Range
1959
Physical Description
1 album (20 photographs : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm and 17 x 22 cm)
Scope & Content
Album contains 20 photographs pertaining to the Luxton Museum. Includes exterior views, interior views and various displays, and one image of Norman Luxton standing near the museum entrance.
Material Details
Label on front of album reads:
"Luxton Museum
Banff, Alberta. May 30/59.
File #230 Photographer WDM"
File consists of portraits and candid photographs of Eleanor Luxton between ca.1950 and 1980. Includes professional photographs and images of Eleanor participating in Banff Indian Days celebrations.
Photographs produced by Matthews Photo Lab (Calgary) and Ernest Kehr
Date Range
[1950-1960]
1958
1965
1975
[1975-1980]
Physical Description
19 photographs : b&w and col prints ; 18.5 x 26 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits and candid photographs of Eleanor Luxton between ca.1950 and 1980. Includes professional photographs and images of Eleanor participating in Banff Indian Days celebrations.
Notes
Some items in file accompanied by original envelopes.
PA-956 is accompanied by a note stating a copy negative was made in 1988