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.
The fonds consists of Clague's correspondence with Jennie Lomas of Duncan, BC.
4 folders
1-1 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1910
1-2 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1911
1-3 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1910
1-4 Herbert Clague, correspondence (typescript), 1911
Herbert (Bert) Clague was born in Sheffield, England, and gained a certificate in practical metallurgy from Sheffield University. In 1906, he came to Canada, first working in Montreal and Prince Rupert. He established his permanent home in Duncan, BC in 1910. Clague articled as a BC Surveyor and, during the summers of 1910 and 1911, conducted provincial government surveys in the Kitimat Valley. In 1912, he married Jennie Lomas of Duncan, BC. Clague Mountain in the Kitimat area is named in his honour.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of Clague's correspondence with Jennie Lomas of Duncan, BC.
4 folders
1-1 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1910
1-2 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1911
1-3 Herbert Clague, correspondence, 1910
1-4 Herbert Clague, correspondence (typescript), 1911
Notes
Title based on the contents of the fonds. Typescripts of the correspondence are available.
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.
Programme for the 1960 Remembrance Day service held by the Canadian Legion, Branch 250. Includes schedule of events, lyrics of songs and hymns, and the text of In Flanders' Fields. Front cover is covered in tiny gray dots and features a cross and a hand holding a poppy.
Some minor smudges and stains. Yellow glue residue on back.
Custodial History
Onwed by Mount Elizabeth band teacher Dennis Tupman for many decades before being donated to the Museum by his family.
Scope and Content
Programme for the 1960 Remembrance Day service held by the Canadian Legion, Branch 250. Includes schedule of events, lyrics of songs and hymns, and the text of In Flanders' Fields. Front cover is covered in tiny gray dots and features a cross and a hand holding a poppy.
Peak book from Squirrel Mountain. First page reads "Peak Book. From 23rd May 1945. To For All Who Believe in God and His Wonderful Nature. "Kreuzberg"" Rest of book contains comments from visitors of the peak from all over the world. Cover is black, but very stained and degraded. Turning orange.
Peak book from Squirrel Mountain. First page reads "Peak Book. From 23rd May 1945. To For All Who Believe in God and His Wonderful Nature. "Kreuzberg"" Rest of book contains comments from visitors of the peak from all over the world. Cover is black, but very stained and degraded. Turning orange.
Notes
Poor condition. Colour stains, falling apart. Main register indicates there should be a second book, but the other is currently missing.
Coil-bound memory book for Roy Wilcox Elementary School, created by Denise Pedro (parent of a student) upon its closing in 2011. Includes history of the school, casual photos of students, Japanese paper crane project, and formal group photos of staff and classes.
Roy Wilcox Elementary School, originally known as Whitesail School, was constructed in 1958 and held classes from 1963 until 2011.
Scope and Content
Coil-bound memory book for Roy Wilcox Elementary School, created by Denise Pedro (parent of a student) upon its closing in 2011. Includes history of the school, casual photos of students, Japanese paper crane project, and formal group photos of staff and classes.
The Surf Inlet Gold Mine was located on Princess Royal Island above Surf Inlet. Limited production began in 1902 and then ceased in 1905. The mine reopened production in 1917, after major development occurred. It was then operated by the Tonapah Belmont Development Company of Philadelphia. The mine closed in 1926. Three mines were opened in 1934 by Surf Inlet Consolidated Gold Mines, including the Surf Inlet Mine, the Pugsley Mine and the Belmont Mine. These closed permanently in 1943.
Custodial History
Donated by Bulkley Valley Museum/Dirk Mendel
Scope and Content
Folder containing financial records/receipt book from the Surf Inlet Consolodated Gold Mines Ltd from March 1938.
The Surf Inlet Gold Mine was located on Princess Royal Island above Surf Inlet. Limited production began in 1902 and then ceased in 1905. The mine reopened production in 1917, after major development occurred. It was then operated by the Tonapah Belmont Development Company of Philadelphia. The mine closed in 1926. Three mines were opened in 1934 by Surf Inlet Consolidated Gold Mines, including the Surf Inlet Mine, the Pugsley Mine and the Belmont Mine. These closed permanently in 1943.
Custodial History
Donated by Bulkley Valley Museum/Dirk Mendel
Scope and Content
Folder containing financial records/receipt book from the Surf Inlet Consolodated Gold Mines Ltd from March 1938.
This ode was written by Mr. Ken Johnston, a journalist who visited Kitimat in the spring of 1954, just prior to the Duke of Edinburg's visit in June 1954. Johnston visit the scout troop. He gave his address of Whitehall, London.
"The Story of Kitimat" A Speech given to the Toronto Canadian Club on October 5, 1953 by J.S. Kendrick, of the Aluminum Company of Canada Ltd. (13 pages)
"The Story of Kitimat" A Speech given to the Toronto Canadian Club on October 5, 1953 by J.S. Kendrick, of the Aluminum Company of Canada Ltd. (13 pages)
Planning documents for Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary in 1994, including meeting minutes, correspondence, and draft itineraries.
- July 1st week celebrations - Canada 125 letter, 14 June 1993
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee meeting minutes, 2 June 1994
- Inter-office memo from Dennis Affleck to Anne Berrisford, 9 June 1994
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee meeting minutes, 9 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford form Gail Guise, 14 June 1994
- Letter to Les & Beth Holroyd from Allan C. Hewitson, 14 June 1994
- Memo from Tudor Williams to Anne Berrisford, 16 June 1994
- Memo to Anne Berrisford from Art Pugh, 17 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford from Martin Gould, 17 June 1994
- Letter to Eric S. Sykes from J. Michael Roberts, 21 June 1994
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting, 16 June 1994
- Letter to Mr. Hewitson from Joe Iannarelli (x2), 22 June 1994
- Message from Anne Berrisford to Wayne L, 22 June 1994
- Messages from Eric Sykes to multiple recipients, 22 June 1994
- Letter to Hon. and Mrs. Michael Harcourt from Eric Sykes, 24 (13?) June 1994
- Letter to Mr. Eric S. Sykes from Bill Rich, 24 June 1994
- Letter to Eric Sykes from David G. Mortimer, 26 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford from David Dunsmuir, 13 July 1994
- July 14, 1994 Ad #3 for insertion Wed/Sat, 20/23 July (2 similar documents)
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting, 21 July 1994
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary, Commemorative Ingot Pouring schedule, 28 July 1994
- Pioneer's Memorial schedule, 5 Aug 1994
- Friday Aug 5th, 1994 bus schedules
- Saturday Aug 6th, 1994 bus schedules
- Sunday Aug 7th, 1994 + Monday, August 8th bus schedules
- Alcan's 40th Anniversary itinerary, 6 Aug 1994
- Bus schedules/itineraries, Wed. August 3rd - Tues. August 9th
- 4 floor plans for Alcan Anniversary Party
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary Pioneer Memorial Ceremony script, 5 August 1994
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary Chamber of Commerce Lunch script, 5 August 1994
- Proposed itinerary - Kitimat 40th Anniversary Guests - Wed. 3 August - Sun, 7 Aug - prepared by Elizabeth Hardy, July 28, 1994
Planning documents for Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary in 1994, including meeting minutes, correspondence, and draft itineraries.
- July 1st week celebrations - Canada 125 letter, 14 June 1993
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee meeting minutes, 2 June 1994
- Inter-office memo from Dennis Affleck to Anne Berrisford, 9 June 1994
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee meeting minutes, 9 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford form Gail Guise, 14 June 1994
- Letter to Les & Beth Holroyd from Allan C. Hewitson, 14 June 1994
- Memo from Tudor Williams to Anne Berrisford, 16 June 1994
- Memo to Anne Berrisford from Art Pugh, 17 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford from Martin Gould, 17 June 1994
- Letter to Eric S. Sykes from J. Michael Roberts, 21 June 1994
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting, 16 June 1994
- Letter to Mr. Hewitson from Joe Iannarelli (x2), 22 June 1994
- Message from Anne Berrisford to Wayne L, 22 June 1994
- Messages from Eric Sykes to multiple recipients, 22 June 1994
- Letter to Hon. and Mrs. Michael Harcourt from Eric Sykes, 24 (13?) June 1994
- Letter to Mr. Eric S. Sykes from Bill Rich, 24 June 1994
- Letter to Eric Sykes from David G. Mortimer, 26 June 1994
- Letter to Anne Berrisford from David Dunsmuir, 13 July 1994
- July 14, 1994 Ad #3 for insertion Wed/Sat, 20/23 July (2 similar documents)
- Alcan 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting, 21 July 1994
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary, Commemorative Ingot Pouring schedule, 28 July 1994
- Pioneer's Memorial schedule, 5 Aug 1994
- Friday Aug 5th, 1994 bus schedules
- Saturday Aug 6th, 1994 bus schedules
- Sunday Aug 7th, 1994 + Monday, August 8th bus schedules
- Alcan's 40th Anniversary itinerary, 6 Aug 1994
- Bus schedules/itineraries, Wed. August 3rd - Tues. August 9th
- 4 floor plans for Alcan Anniversary Party
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary Pioneer Memorial Ceremony script, 5 August 1994
- Kitimat 40th Anniversary Chamber of Commerce Lunch script, 5 August 1994
- Proposed itinerary - Kitimat 40th Anniversary Guests - Wed. 3 August - Sun, 7 Aug - prepared by Elizabeth Hardy, July 28, 1994
Documents relating to Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary celebrations in 1994. Includes:
1 "Welcome to our 40th Anniversary Open House" pamphlet including walking/bus tour map of Alcan facilities, August 3rd 1994
4 invitation pamphlets to Alcan's Anniversary Weekend celebrations, August 5-7th 1994 (2 grey, 2 blue)
2 RSVP cards for Alcan's 40th Anniversary Celebration
13 tickets to Alcan's 40th Anniversary celebration, August 6th 1994, featuring Ian Tyson, Double Exposure, W.A.G.E.R.
Documents relating to Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary celebrations in 1994. Includes:
1 "Welcome to our 40th Anniversary Open House" pamphlet including walking/bus tour map of Alcan facilities, August 3rd 1994
4 invitation pamphlets to Alcan's Anniversary Weekend celebrations, August 5-7th 1994 (2 grey, 2 blue)
2 RSVP cards for Alcan's 40th Anniversary Celebration
13 tickets to Alcan's 40th Anniversary celebration, August 6th 1994, featuring Ian Tyson, Double Exposure, W.A.G.E.R.
Fonds consists of two files of materials collected and produced by the Kitimat Valley Naturalists:
F1) Contents of the secretary-treasurer's duotang, 1996-1998. Includes meeting minutes, correspondence, receipts, financial documents, mailing lists, 1997 annual report, photocopied map, events schedule, Federation of BC Naturalists membership info, sign-up sheet for Douglas Channel boat trip, correspondence from Creston Valley Wildlife Area, materials re: Gisela Mendel Native Plant Garden, draft write-up for Iron Oxbow Wildlife Viewing Area along the Kitimat River, and ephemera from the inside front cover of the duotang (receipt from Fed. of BC Naturalists, business cards for Aurora Charters and Reid Crowther Consulting Engineers).
F2) Materials related to Pine Creek Protective Covenant, 2003-2014. This covenant was established by Rio Tinto Alcan, the Haisla Nation, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to protect the Pine Creek hiking trail and its watercourse near Minette Bay. Folder includes correspondence, signage text, Land Title Act forms, maps, and a Master Watercourse Crossing List from Coastal GasLink.
The Kitimat Valley Naturalists are a non-profit organization with the goal of learning about and enjoying the natural history of the Kitimat Valley. They were founded in 1996 and are still active as of 2023. Their projects include an annual Christmas bird count, construction of bat condos, monitoring amphibian numbers, and mapping eelgrass beds in the Douglas Channel.
Custodial History
Items were donated by Susan and Walter Thorne, longtime members of the Kitimat Valley Naturalists, on February 16th 2023. The fonds was arranged and described by Museum staff in April 2023.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two files of materials collected and produced by the Kitimat Valley Naturalists:
F1) Contents of the secretary-treasurer's duotang, 1996-1998. Includes meeting minutes, correspondence, receipts, financial documents, mailing lists, 1997 annual report, photocopied map, events schedule, Federation of BC Naturalists membership info, sign-up sheet for Douglas Channel boat trip, correspondence from Creston Valley Wildlife Area, materials re: Gisela Mendel Native Plant Garden, draft write-up for Iron Oxbow Wildlife Viewing Area along the Kitimat River, and ephemera from the inside front cover of the duotang (receipt from Fed. of BC Naturalists, business cards for Aurora Charters and Reid Crowther Consulting Engineers).
F2) Materials related to Pine Creek Protective Covenant, 2003-2014. This covenant was established by Rio Tinto Alcan, the Haisla Nation, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to protect the Pine Creek hiking trail and its watercourse near Minette Bay. Folder includes correspondence, signage text, Land Title Act forms, maps, and a Master Watercourse Crossing List from Coastal GasLink.
Notes
Three reports collected by the KVN - "An Assessment of the Kitimat Iron Oxbow Proposed Wildlife Viewing Area," "Blue Carbon - The Case for the Conservation and Enhancement of Estuarine Processes and Sediments in BC," and "Coastal Wetlands Habitat Assessment and Classification for Northwestern British Columbia" - have been added to the Museum's Reference Library.
Conservation
Removed from original duotang/folders. Staples removed.
Storage Location
Box 29
Arrangement
F1) has been left in original order, apart from ephemera which was removed from the inside cover of the duotang.
F2) has been arranged in roughly chronological order.
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.
Kitimat/Kemano school assignment from 1954 by Sheila Helsel. Cover has Kitimat and Kemano written in green text, with an image of a power tower. Contents include Introduction, Aluminum, Location, Construction, Uses of Aluminum, and The Kitimat Project and What It Means to Canada. There is both written report pages, and illustartions and maps inside.
Sheila Helsel (Marsh) was from Moose Jaw, Sask. She moved to Kitimat in 1973.
Scope and Content
Kitimat/Kemano school assignment from 1954 by Sheila Helsel. Cover has Kitimat and Kemano written in green text, with an image of a power tower. Contents include Introduction, Aluminum, Location, Construction, Uses of Aluminum, and The Kitimat Project and What It Means to Canada. There is both written report pages, and illustartions and maps inside.