Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Norman Sanson fonds
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- Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds
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Fonds
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Physical description area
Physical description
ca.55 cm and 21 v. of textual records. -- 46 photograph albums (ca.7500 prints). -- 1 postcard set (37 prints)
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Norman Bethune Sanson, 1862-1949, was a naturalist, meteorologist and museum curator at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of a prominent clergyman, he developed a life-long interest in natural history as a boy. Sanson came west in 1885 to fight in the Riel Rebellion as a member of the Queen's Own Rifles. In 1892, Sanson came to Banff as an accountant for the Sanitarium Hotel. He also did book-keeping for other local businesses and handled the town's weather reports. In 1896 he was appointed curator of the Park Museum and also worked as zookeeper for the Banff Zoo. From 1896 until 1931, Sanson was meteorological officer and curator of the Park Museum. In 1903 an observatory was built on Sulphur Mountain on a site chosen by Sanson. During the period 1903-1931, Sanson made one thousand ascents of Sulphur Mountain to collect weather records. In 1948, the Dominion Government acknowledged his many years of service by naming a peak on the mountain for him. As a nature enthusiast, Sanson was well-known both in Banff and beyond. He was an avid collector of flora and fauna, both privately and through his job as museum curator. Sanson was an active member of the Alpine Club of Canada, the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Rotary Club. He was a warden of St. George's Anglican Church and a supporter of the Canadian Bible Society. He was active in community events such as the Banff Winter Carnival, for which he organized and led the snowshoeing events. An ardent mountain traveller, he enjoyed both hiking and snowshoeing. Following retirement, Sanson toured extensively on foot throughout Britain and Europe.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of papers and photographs resulting from Sanson's life and work. Textual records consist of: I. Correspondence, 1901-1944, 2 cm. II. Research and professional papers, 1890-1947, 45 cm., includes notebooks and notes pertaining to nature study, meteorological research, Sulphur Mountain and maps; III. Travel diary, 1900-1933, 1 cm. IV. Register books, 1931, 1941, n.d. 2 cm. IV. Scrapbooks, 1909-1931, n.d., 21 vol, many containing postcards from Great Britain and around the world; VI. Miscellaneous, 1855- 1895, n.d., 4 cm. Photographs consist of: I. Albums, 1880s-1949, 46 v., pertain to Norman Sanson's life and work; document Banff Park Museum, Sulphur Mountain and Sulphur Mountain Observatory; natural history, including mountain flora, collecting trips, weather surveys and snow surveys; Banff events, including Banff Winter Carnival, Banff Indian Days, Highland Gatherings and Banff Regatta; mountain travels and travels throughout Canada, United States, England and Europe; friends, associates and Banff personalities. Detailed identifications provided by Norman Sanson. II. Postcard set, ca.1930.
Notes area
Physical condition
Condition of notebooks, scrapbooks and photograph albums is fragile
Immediate source of acquisition
Acquired by donation, 1966-1995
Arrangement
Language of material
- Language is English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Some restrictions on access to originals;Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
http://archivesalberta.org/findingaids/whyte/sanson/sanson_main.htm
Finding aids and reference tools: arrangement outline; series description and partial file description;Reference microfilm copies of photographs albums and some textual materials;On-line finding aid (click on link below)
Associated materials
Sanson photograph albums are also held by the Park Museum, Banff National Park
Accruals
General note
Record No. M3 / V246<br><br>
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Name access points
- Sanson, Norman (Subject)