Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Peter and Catharine Whyte collection
General material designation
Parallel title
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Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on accession records
Level of description
Collection
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
Physical description area
Physical description
3 photograph albums (227 prints). -- 2 cm of textual records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Name of creator
Biographical history
Peter and Catharine Whyte were artists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, philanthropists and cultural workers at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Peter Whyte, 1905-1966, was born at Banff in 1905 to pioneer merchant Dave White and Annie (Curren) White. He was an accomplished skier and ski jumper and one of the region's first native-born painters with an intimate knowledge of the mountains and was an active photographer from ca.1920 until the 1950s. Peter Whyte studied art at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, 1923-1924, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925, where he met Catharine Robb. Catharine Robb Whyte, 1906-1979, was born in 1906 at Concord, Massachusetts and grew up amongst the wealth and creativity of the Robb and Morse families. She studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston, 1925-1929. Following their marriage in 1930, the Whytes pursued a life of painting, photography, hiking, skiing and travelling. Their log home and studio in Banff became a focal point for their artist friends, Stoney Indians and local pioneers. Catharine shared Pete's involvement in skiing and hiking organizations and together they managed Skoki Lodge from 1932-1934. In following years, the Whytes travelled extensively. During the Second World War, Peter served in the reserve army, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a photographer and, briefly, as an official war artist. Catharine continued to paint and maintain their home and, when possible, accompanied Pete to his military postings. In civilian life, Pete resumed his art career, explored new photographic techniques and sculpted. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Whytes formulated plans for a foundation to preserve the art and history of the Canadian Rockies. Plans for a building to house an archives, public library and gallery were in preparation when Pete died in 1966. The Peter Whyte Foundation was named in his honour. Catharine immersed herself in the development of what is now the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, in the cultural community, painting, outdoor activity, travel and work with the Stoney Indians. She became a more active photographer, recording her travels and outdoor pursuits. She served in an official capacity with numerous cultural and charitable organizations, was a patron to individuals studying art and music, and supported numerous causes relating to the Stoney Indians, multiculturalism, regional culture and recreation, and cancer research. Despite her modesty and often anonymous patronage of causes, Catharine was recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978. She died at Banff in 1979.
Custodial history
Albums of Banff views were acquired by Catharine Whyte from White's Groceteria, formerly Dave White and Sons store, Banff, Alberta, ca.1969.
Scope and content
Collection includes a variety of items collected by the Whytes. Two albums include views of personalities, places, winter sports and other events, wildlife and scenic views at Banff and area, ca.1915-1925. Most views were made with Kodak 3A camera and at least some are attributed to Dan McCowan and George Paris. Third album is mainly scenes in Yoho National Park; includes numbered, annotated prints (perhaps postcards). Other items in collection include: manuscript, "The Canadian Rockies" by A. P. Coleman, n.d. letter, by T. Zouave to R. G. Brett, 1917; Park Hotel account book, Banff, 1906-1907, with records of Canmore house project, 1968-1969; receipt, 1919, and letter, 1966, re piano owned by Norman Luxton and Iva Smith; plan for CPR stop-over log cabin at Sunshine Valley, 1927; signatures of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, n.d.. Canadian Jr. [ski] champions from Alberta [poster], 1962.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Acquired by donations, 1966-1987
Arrangement
Language of material
- Language is English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
No restrictions on access;Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Finding aids and reference tools: basic description;microfilm copy of album/s
Associated materials
Accruals
General note
Record No. M14 / V687<br><br>