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).
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M199 (textual) and V158 (photographs).
M199 consists of two series, 1.1 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Miscellaneous textual materials, 0.1 cm, 1940-1942 (includes envelope and letterhead from Sunshine Lodge, 1944 and an envelope and letterhead from Kananaskis Ranch, S…
1 album (43 photographs : b&w ; 31.5 x 23.5 cm or smaller) -- 4 photographs : b&w ; 11 x 19.5 cm or smaller; -- 01 cm of textual records (5 pages ; 42.5 x 28 cm or smaller) -- 01 cm of textual records (7 pages ; 21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller) -- 1 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 21.5 x 35.5 cm and 21.5 x 33.5 cm)
History / Biographical
Kay Powell (nee Kathleen Burt-Smith) attended the private Mountain School in Banff, Alberta which was founded by Margaret and Henry Greenham in 1920. She was sent to the nearest private boarding school as a result of a fear of bombing in her home town of Victoria, BC by the Japanese during World War II. Kay Powell started half-way through her grade 9 year in 1940 and stayed until 1944. She won a school prize in 1943 for "friendliness" and returned to Victoria, B.C. after the war where she married James Michael Powell and had two children and three grandchildren. She was an avid boater and passed away in 2017.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M199 (textual) and V158 (photographs).
M199 consists of two series, 1.1 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Miscellaneous textual materials, 0.1 cm, 1940-1942 (includes envelope and letterhead from Sunshine Lodge, 1944 and an envelope and letterhead from Kananaskis Ranch, Seebe, Alberta featuring sketches of C.A. Beil; 1 card with signatures; newspaper clipping pertaining to mountain school students skiing at Sunshine). Series II : Mountain Echoes, 1 cm, 1941-1943 (includes 2 school journals "Mountain Echoes," 1941-1942 and 1942-1943 pertaining to school events)
V158 consists of two series, 2.9 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Photograph albums, 2 cm, 1940-1942 (1 photograph album with 43 photographs pertaining to Kay Powell's time at the Mountain School, including textual records within of valedictory poem and lyrics to a school song "Forty Years On" on Havergal College letterhead. Series II : Photograph prints, 0.9 cm, 11 x 19.5 cm or smaller and related textual record 5 pages ; 42.5 x 28 cm or smaller, 1940-1942 (includes 4 photograph prints pertaining to school teachers who taught at the Mountain School, with associated information and newspaper clipping).
File consists of one photograph album comprising 43 photographs. Contents pertains to Kay Powell's attendance at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including steam locomotive at the Banff Train Station; "Gateway" main house; Sunshine Lodge; skiing at Sunshine in 1942; teachers and students posi…
1 album (43 photographs : b&w ; 31.5 x 23.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album comprising 43 photographs. Contents pertains to Kay Powell's attendance at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including steam locomotive at the Banff Train Station; "Gateway" main house; Sunshine Lodge; skiing at Sunshine in 1942; teachers and students posing for photographs ; photographs of Banff Avenue; pack horses and pack trips at Kananaskis Ranch including photographs of camp; photographs of exterior and interior of Mountain School building; skiing at Mount Norquay; skating at the Banff Skating Club; hikes up Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle; students in costume performing a play; Cave and Basin pool. Some photographs include photocopies of photographs with students name annotated by Kay Powell. Album also includes textual records of valedictory poem and lyrics to a school song "Forty Years On" on Havergal College letterhead.
File consists of two volumes of "Mountain Echoes - Ad Summa - The Mountain School" for 1941-1942 and 1942-1943. Content includes a year in review, essays, poetry, editorials, songs, stories, reports on war experiences and travel, sport updates, Red Cross activities, diary of school events, health t…
1 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 21.5 x 35.5 cm and 21.5 x 33.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of two volumes of "Mountain Echoes - Ad Summa - The Mountain School" for 1941-1942 and 1942-1943. Content includes a year in review, essays, poetry, editorials, songs, stories, reports on war experiences and travel, sport updates, Red Cross activities, diary of school events, health tips, camping and climbing stories, war stories.