Black book containing "History of our Cabin up Clague Mt.," photocopies of the cabin's logbook from September 1960 to January 1969, several photocopied pictures from 1970, a typewritten logbook of local and regional excursions taken by the Mendel family from 1963 to 1968, and several newspaper articles.
This material relates to a cabin on Clague Mountain, originally begun by Robert 'Bob' Hesse in the late 1950s and completed by Gisela's husband Hans in 1960. It remained in the Mendel family for 15 years before being demolished in 1975.
Custodial History
Donated to the Museum by Mendel's daughter, Fredrika Lyne, on November 14th 2023.
Scope and Content
Black book containing "History of our Cabin up Clague Mt.," photocopies of the cabin's logbook from September 1960 to January 1969, several photocopied pictures from 1970, a typewritten logbook of local and regional excursions taken by the Mendel family from 1963 to 1968, and several newspaper articles.
This fonds consists of materials created or collected by Gisela Mendel throughout her time in British Columbia, particularly during her tenure as the Museum's first curator (1969-1981). It is divided into three series:
Series 1: Photographs - approx. 330 photographs, negatives, and slides taken by Gisela Mendel, showing the local area, flora and fauna, Museum displays, Kitamaat Village and its residents, traditional Haisla cultural activities, etc.
Series 2: Kitimat Flora Collection - 12 boxes of pressed and dried flora from the local area, with associated information.
Series 3: Logbooks and scrapbooks - logbooks from Clague and Squirrel Mountains (1957-1969), accounts of Mendel family outings (1963-1968), scrapbook/photo album from Stikine road trip (1999), textual material and photos on regional hiking rails from binder on assembled by Gisela.
Series 4: Maps - 23 regional maps collected and annotated by Gisela.
ca. 10.5 cm textual material (logbooks, scrapbooks)
23 maps
History / Biographical
Gisela Heimbach Mendel was the first curator of the Kitimat Museum and Archives (then known as the Kitimat Centennial Museum). She was born in Germany in 1922 and worked as a pharmacist in East Prussia when the Russians invaded. She fled the Russians and immigrated to Canada in 1952 with her husband, Hans, and their children. Unhappy with the geography of Southern Ontario - in her words, she was a "mountain woman" - she chose Kitimat as her home.
In her earliest years in Kitimat (beginning 1956), Gisela collected botanical specimens for the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. She served as the first curator of the Kitimat Centennial Museum from the building's opening in 1969 until her retirement in 1981, when she and Hans moved to Smithers. Gisela was responsible for not only showcasing local art and history, but building a strong and varied permanent collection of artifacts and archival items upon which future curators could build.
As she was working in a relatively young community, town history was not considered a priority so much as regional history, natural history and Haisla First Nations cultural traditions, which Gisela documented with great intensity. One of her projects was creating an ethno-botanical dictionary with the help of Haisla elders, identifying the Haisla names and traditional uses for various plants. In 1972, the Northern Sentinel reported that each weekend Gisela made the rounds of her secret botanical hunting grounds to replace the display of floral specimens in her exhibits. She was a tremendous record-keeper and journalist, had a great life of the outdoors, and developed many close friendships in Kitimat and Kitamaat Village. Her thirst for information was incredible, and the Museum and the community benefitted immensely from her passion for gathering and recording knowledge. In the 1990s she received the Award of Merit from the BC Museums Association in recognition of her work. She passed away in 2008.
Custodial History
Materials in this fonds were created by Gisela Mendel during her time as Museum Curator, or donated by her, her family members, or other community members following her retirement.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of materials created or collected by Gisela Mendel throughout her time in British Columbia, particularly during her tenure as the Museum's first curator (1969-1981). It is divided into three series:
Series 1: Photographs - approx. 330 photographs, negatives, and slides taken by Gisela Mendel, showing the local area, flora and fauna, Museum displays, Kitamaat Village and its residents, traditional Haisla cultural activities, etc.
Series 2: Kitimat Flora Collection - 12 boxes of pressed and dried flora from the local area, with associated information.
Series 3: Logbooks and scrapbooks - logbooks from Clague and Squirrel Mountains (1957-1969), accounts of Mendel family outings (1963-1968), scrapbook/photo album from Stikine road trip (1999), textual material and photos on regional hiking rails from binder on assembled by Gisela.
Series 4: Maps - 23 regional maps collected and annotated by Gisela.
Photograph showing two Kemano residents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mund on the deck of the Italian Line's S.S Raffaello in New York harbor prior to sailing for an extended holiday in Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Mund travelled through the states before catching their ship at New York and plan a motor trip through Germany and other European countries before returning home.
Photograph showing two Kemano residents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mund on the deck of the Italian Line's S.S Raffaello in New York harbor prior to sailing for an extended holiday in Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Mund travelled through the states before catching their ship at New York and plan a motor trip through Germany and other European countries before returning home.
Photograph showing a group of visiting officials from Aluminum Limited. The group includes Fraser W. Bruce, President of Aluminium Co.; J.W. Cameron, Vice President; Gordon Robinson, Ingot staff and Duncan Campbell, Aluminum Co.'s public relations officer.
Photograph showing a group of visiting officials from Aluminum Limited. The group includes Fraser W. Bruce, President of Aluminium Co.; J.W. Cameron, Vice President; Gordon Robinson, Ingot staff and Duncan Campbell, Aluminum Co.'s public relations officer.
photograph showing Finland's Military Attache, Col. V.O. Mielonen and Sweden's Military Attache, Col. A. Wahlgren standing on the bridge of the HMSC Fortune as they arrive to Kitimat
photograph showing Finland's Military Attache, Col. V.O. Mielonen and Sweden's Military Attache, Col. A. Wahlgren standing on the bridge of the HMSC Fortune as they arrive to Kitimat
Photograph showing India's Military Advisor, Brigadier H. Singh talking with Harry Jomini, the host of the visiting group of attaches and liaison officers.
Photograph showing India's Military Advisor, Brigadier H. Singh talking with Harry Jomini, the host of the visiting group of attaches and liaison officers.
Photograph showing Lt. Col. F. Lutz from the Netherlands and Commander G.E. Thaeter from Germany standing on the bridge of the HMCS Cowichan as they arrive to Kitimat.
Photograph showing Lt. Col. F. Lutz from the Netherlands and Commander G.E. Thaeter from Germany standing on the bridge of the HMCS Cowichan as they arrive to Kitimat.
