Boxes contain file folders. Each file folder holds photographs taped together to produce a panoramic view on the subject described in the folder. Some of these photographs are attached to paper, some are attached to other folders, whole or part. Some contain documents. Some have descriptive documents stapled to the folder. Some have photographs stapled to the outside of the folder.
Two boxes of file folders containing text and photographs.
9 envelopes containing 335+ photographs
1 envelope containing negatives and contact sheets
Extent
.5
History / Biographical
Files compiled by Diane Hewlett, District of Kitimat Economic Development Officer 1999-2009 to promote Kitimat as a movie and television location and to attract business or industry.
Custodial History
Compiled by Diane Hewlett, given to the Museum by Beth Vines, Records Manager for the District of Kitimat.
Scope and Content
Boxes contain file folders. Each file folder holds photographs taped together to produce a panoramic view on the subject described in the folder. Some of these photographs are attached to paper, some are attached to other folders, whole or part. Some contain documents. Some have descriptive documents stapled to the folder. Some have photographs stapled to the outside of the folder.
Photograph of Kitimat Yacht Club, boat on beach in foreground, one man at stern left, one man in boat standing up through the hatch, one man at bow right, painting trim of boat.
Part of binder assembled by Bill Flonders - Employment, Training & Apprenticeship, Alcan. Given to Fred Busby.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Kitimat Yacht Club, boat on beach in foreground, one man at stern left, one man in boat standing up through the hatch, one man at bow right, painting trim of boat.
The fonds consists of minutes of meetings, correspondence, and newspaper clippings of the Kitimat Centennial Committee.
1- Minutes. – 1965-1967. – 1 cm of textual records.
Series consists of minutes of the Kitimat Centennial Committee.
2- Correspondence. – 1964-1970. – 1 cm of textual records.
Series consists of correspondence of the Committee.
3- Newspaper Clippings. – 1965-1967. – 0.5 cm of textual records.
Series consists of newspaper clippings pertaining to the activities of the Committee. Index to clippings written on original file folder.
The Kitimat Centennial Committee was formed in 1964. The purpose of the Committee was to coordinate local activities during the celebration of Canadian confederation in 1967. The Committee organized local celebrations and, after an initial project could not be completed, raised funds for the construction of the Kitimat Centennial Museum building, completed in 1969.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of minutes of meetings, correspondence, and newspaper clippings of the Kitimat Centennial Committee.
1- Minutes. – 1965-1967. – 1 cm of textual records.
Series consists of minutes of the Kitimat Centennial Committee.
2- Correspondence. – 1964-1970. – 1 cm of textual records.
Series consists of correspondence of the Committee.
3- Newspaper Clippings. – 1965-1967. – 0.5 cm of textual records.
Series consists of newspaper clippings pertaining to the activities of the Committee. Index to clippings written on original file folder.
Formed in 1957, the Kitimat Fine Arts Association promoted cultural events in Kitimat, including art shows, symphony performances and workshops on art. The Association became inactive in 1960.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of the minutes of meetings of the Kitimat Fine Arts Association.
The exterior of the new Kitimat Public Library at Nechako Centre, Mount Elizabeth in the background.
Notes
Title based on content of photograph. -- Famed Canadian documentary photographer Malak Karsh was hired in the 1950s by Alcan to take photographs of Arvida and Kitimat. Many were published in Alcan literature and textbooks on Canada. Northern Sentinel Press Collection
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.
Elizabeth Anderson Varley, author of 'Kitimat My Valley' was born and raised in the Kitimat Valley. The book is a memoire of her life and the life of her family members, during the tenure as missionairies and ranchers in the area.
Custodial History
Obtained directly from Elizabeth Varley
Scope and Content
Textual records consisting of typewritten and handwritten notes pertaining to the creation of the book Kitimat My Valley.
62 photographs of the Anderson family, other early settlers and missionaries, and Haisla people, 1878-1947.
Collection of meeting minutes, scrapbooks, and Tamitiks from Mount Elizabeth Secondary School.
1- Minutes of School Government Meetings 1964-1965, 1965-1966, and 1966-1967.
2-Kitimat High School P.T.A. 1957-58
3- Archives- Scrapbook. Mt. Elizabeth Secondary School 1957-60
4-Scrapbook- Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1964
5- Secondary Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1965
6- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1966
7- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1967
8- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1968
9- Record book of the P. T. A. May 16/57. April 7/59 Tamitik duplicates for the following accession numbers P. J. A group
74-55-3: 4 copies of 1956 Tamitik
74-55-6: 2 copies of 1959 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957
78-10-3:3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7:1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-8: 1 duplicates of 1969
78-10-9: 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957 yearbook
78-10-3: 3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7: 1 duplicate of 1969 Tamitik
78-10-8 1 duplicate 1969
78-10-9 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
Collection of meeting minutes, scrapbooks, and Tamitiks from Mount Elizabeth Secondary School.
1- Minutes of School Government Meetings 1964-1965, 1965-1966, and 1966-1967.
2-Kitimat High School P.T.A. 1957-58
3- Archives- Scrapbook. Mt. Elizabeth Secondary School 1957-60
4-Scrapbook- Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1964
5- Secondary Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1965
6- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1966
7- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1967
8- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1968
9- Record book of the P. T. A. May 16/57. April 7/59 Tamitik duplicates for the following accession numbers P. J. A group
74-55-3: 4 copies of 1956 Tamitik
74-55-6: 2 copies of 1959 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957
78-10-3:3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7:1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-8: 1 duplicates of 1969
78-10-9: 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957 yearbook
78-10-3: 3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7: 1 duplicate of 1969 Tamitik
78-10-8 1 duplicate 1969
78-10-9 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
Storage Location
Archives Bay 4 Shelf 2 Box 84
Archives Bay 4 Shelf 5 Box 93
The fonds consists of logbooks of the First Cabin, also known as “Harley’s Cabin”, on Clague Mountain recording the names and comments of the hikers who had used the cabin.
4 folders
1-1 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook I, 1957-1958 (include some 1961 notations)
1-2 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook II, 1958-1961
1-3 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook III, 1961-1962
1-4 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook III (photocopy)
The First Cabin, also known as “Harley’s Cabin”, was constructed in 1957 at the 1800-foot level of Clague Mountain to provide refuge for hikers and to make skiing on the mountain possible in the winter. A four-man team including Harley Robertson, with John Layman as foreman, was chiefly responsible for its construction.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of logbooks of the First Cabin, also known as “Harley’s Cabin”, on Clague Mountain recording the names and comments of the hikers who had used the cabin.
4 folders
1-1 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook I, 1957-1958 (include some 1961 notations)
1-2 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook II, 1958-1961
1-3 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook III, 1961-1962
1-4 Clague Mountain First Cabin Logbook III (photocopy)
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds.
Donated in 1970.
Subdivision plan of part of district lots 6038, 6039 and part of block 29, plan 3435 range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 4228. November 5, 1961.
Plan of subdivision of parts of D.L. 6046 & west half of D.L. 6045, and parcel. "X" (former block 78 and adjoining road plan 3549) range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 4639. August 27, 1963.
Plan of portions of block 29 map 3435 district lots 6038, 6039, 6042 & 6043 range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 3743. November 4, 1957.
Donated by Rick Wozney. Aluminum Company of Canada, Limited (Registered Owner).
Scope and Content
District of Kitimat lot and block plans.
Subdivision plan of part of district lots 6038, 6039 and part of block 29, plan 3435 range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 4228. November 5, 1961.
Plan of subdivision of parts of D.L. 6046 & west half of D.L. 6045, and parcel. "X" (former block 78 and adjoining road plan 3549) range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 4639. August 27, 1963.
Plan of portions of block 29 map 3435 district lots 6038, 6039, 6042 & 6043 range 5, Coast District. District Municipality of Kitimat. Plan 3743. November 4, 1957.
Collection of items from the Kitimat Chinese Canadian Association, showing activities, events, and community involvement, Photos + albums, VHS videos, and letters.
The Kitimat Chinese Association was founded in 1985. Their purpose was to strengthen ties between the Chinese-Canadian community and the rest of Kitimat by sharing Chinese culture and contributing to community events. They held three annual gatherings - Chinese New Year, Christmas, and a summer picnic - and participated in other activities such as Multicultural Day, Canada Day, and Canada Cancer Society's Relay of Life. The association disbanded in December 2008 as most of the members got older and retired.
Custodial History
Donated by Huey-lin Wu
Scope and Content
Collection of items from the Kitimat Chinese Canadian Association, showing activities, events, and community involvement, Photos + albums, VHS videos, and letters.
The Kitimat Chinese Association was founded in 1985. Their purpose was to connect all Chinese Canadians in Kitimat, with the local people too. They encouraged the members involved in the community to show and share Chinese culture with the people in Kitimat. Like activities in Multicultural Day, Canada Day, Canada Cancer Society's Relay of Life, etc. Every year they had three gatherings, summer picnic, Christmas and Chinese New Year. The association disbanded in December 2008 as most of the members got older and retired.
Custodial History
Donated by Huey-lin Wu
Scope and Content
1 photo album containing various photos from Kitimat Chinese Association events. Photos include-
Children and adults in traditional Chinese clothes
Traditional dances
Groups and children at the First Baptist Church
A meeting in a classroom
Radley Park picnic
Events at Frank Melanson Memorial Hall
Christmas events
New Years event 1997 (year of the ox)
Potluck Dinners
Flyer for Multicultural Festival Potluck Dinner and Performance 1997
Photograph of Boys participating in three-legged race. One is wearing a white shirt, and the other stripped shirt. Other participants behind them, as well as forest.
Malcolm Baxter died in 2020. His father Basil, was very instrumental in the organization of Kitimat in the early years. Basil was married to Cathy Baxter and they had two sons - Malcolm and Michael.
Custodial History
Part of items collected by Malcolm Baxter, former editer of NSP. Brought into the museum by Judith Cullington, Malcolm's sister-in-law.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Boys participating in three-legged race. One is wearing a white shirt, and the other stripped shirt. Other participants behind them, as well as forest.