Photocopied documents relating to John McLachlan's employment with Alcan.
1) Letter of employment, G. W. Whitehead (Alcan) to John McLachlan, offering position as Draughtsman in Kitimat. April 10th 1953
2) Letter of acceptance, John McLachlan to G.W. Whitehead. April 11th 1953
3) Alcan Personnel Department introduction form, to Mr. G. T. Malby, Resident Engineer, May 13th 1953
4) Invitation to join Retirement Income and Life Insurance Plan, Ian Maclean to John McLachlan, June 23rd 1954.
5) Account of duties as Senior Draughtsman, John McLachlan to W. H. Sparks, September 11th 1956.
John McLachlan arrived in Kitimat in 1953 as a 23-year-old immigrant and went on to work at Alcan's Property Engineering Department for almost 40 years. He started out as a land surveyor and cartographer in the town's early years and ended his career as a Senior Legal Draftsmen.
Custodial History
Donated by Jean Lunny, January 12th 2018
Scope and Content
Photocopied documents relating to John McLachlan's employment with Alcan.
1) Letter of employment, G. W. Whitehead (Alcan) to John McLachlan, offering position as Draughtsman in Kitimat. April 10th 1953
2) Letter of acceptance, John McLachlan to G.W. Whitehead. April 11th 1953
3) Alcan Personnel Department introduction form, to Mr. G. T. Malby, Resident Engineer, May 13th 1953
4) Invitation to join Retirement Income and Life Insurance Plan, Ian Maclean to John McLachlan, June 23rd 1954.
5) Account of duties as Senior Draughtsman, John McLachlan to W. H. Sparks, September 11th 1956.
Book titled "Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd. Employee Training Division Montreal Trainee Manual", with a dark green cover, and an image of an aluminum ingot in the centre. Includes a letter from P. E. Radley to Mr. W.S. Mosher, explaining that this manual was sent as a sort of "guidebook" for British Columbia Employees, instead of a tour of the Eastern Canada plants.
Book titled "Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd. Employee Training Division Montreal Trainee Manual", with a dark green cover, and an image of an aluminum ingot in the centre. Includes a letter from P. E. Radley to Mr. W.S. Mosher, explaining that this manual was sent as a sort of "guidebook" for British Columbia Employees, instead of a tour of the Eastern Canada plants.
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.
Blue book titled West Coast Oil Parts Inquiry. A Public Inquiry Pursuant to Order-In-Council PC 1977-597 Dated March 10th, 1977. (Before Dr. Andrew R. Thompson, Commissioner). Vancouver, B.C. Sepetember 26th, 1977. Proceedings at Inquiry. Volume 5.
Blue book titled West Coast Oil Parts Inquiry. A Public Inquiry Pursuant to Order-In-Council PC 1977-597 Dated March 10th, 1977. (Before Dr. Andrew R. Thompson, Commissioner). Vancouver, B.C. Sepetember 26th, 1977. Proceedings at Inquiry. Volume 5.
Notes
Stamp on top reads Alcan Smelter and Chemicals LTD Kitimat Technical Library.
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
In 1987, Max Patzelt donated his photograph and negative collection - over 10,000 images - to the Museum. This talented and prolific photographer and businessman operated Kitimat Photo Supply and Max's Photo Studio for over 25 years.
Max took portraits of Kitimat citizens - babies, wedding parties, school classes, sports teams, local government - and recorded events for the Northern Sentinel and Alcan's ingot. School District No. 80 published many of Max's photos in promotional materials to attract teachers to Kitimat. Max photographed for Alcan and processed prints for the ingot.
Max became a resident of Kitimat in 1956 when he hired on at Alcan as a stud puller. He arrived in Kitimat with a camera around his neck. After a year in the lines, he had had enough. He resigned from Alcan, packed his bags and headed for the CN station to head to Vancouver.
Fred Ryan had recently established his photo studio, Kitimat Photo, retail photo processing and the town's only industrial photographers located in the Smeltersite recreation hall. Fred had heard of Max's photographic knowledge and rushed to the train station to offer Max a job running the new processing machine.
Max joined Kitimat Photo and was quickly "up to his ears in negatives" (ingot, May 22, 1987). They couldn't keep photographic equipment in stock - everyone who came for work in Kitimat purchased a camera. Max recalled that during the July 1 parade in 1957, he processed approximately 3,000 rolls of black and white film. It took days to process them all. With a new town and smelter, and surrounded by innovation, photography was just booming in Kitimat. Alcan wanted to document its construction events for both town and smelter, and workers wanted to document their time here.
Max and partner, Hazel Hatton, opened Kitimat Photo Supply Ltd. in City Centre in 1960. Max and Hazel operated the business until 1967 when Max moved the portrait studio, Max's Photo Studio Ltd., to Service Centre, and operated until 1987. Hazel kept the retail business Kitimat Photo in City Centre and operated until 1985.
Scope and Content
Three green binders containing the Max Patzelt Photo Collection Directory.
Souvenir of the Organization Meeting of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce in Kitimat B.C. Contains signatures of founding members and businesses. Cover features a photo by Gordon Lee of Alcan's First Stage Smelter development.
Souvenir of the Organization Meeting of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce in Kitimat B.C. Contains signatures of founding members and businesses. Cover features a photo by Gordon Lee of Alcan's First Stage Smelter development.
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.
Folder containing newspaper clipping from Mike Kinnear regarding various Kitimat events. Most articles are related to Mike Kinnear; either about him or his family, or including his photos.
The Duke of Edinburgh pours first ingot at Kitimat Work on 3 August 1954.
Kingfisher underpass construction and General Construction paving machine. July 28, 1955.
Portable classroom frames at Nechako Centre. July 28, 1955.
Jim Molyneaux at third base during a Kitimat-Terrace baseball game. August 25, 1955.
Children from townsite and smeltersite on a new fire pumper for Fire Prevention Week. Sept 15, 1955.
Highschool and movie theatre construction. Sept 22, 1955.
Townsite Folk Amazed At Methods Used In Fire Fighting And Prevention.
Kitimat Fire Prevention Week description.
Anglican Church Framework.
Construction of the Public Safety Building.
Construction of National Employment Service building.
Letter regarding voting in Kitimat from J.M. Kinnear.
Kitimat Curling Rink.
Imperials basketball game. Jan 26, 1956.
Runners up of the A and B event (curling). Feb 12, 1958.
Installation of President Ray Brown. March 1, 1956.
Youngsters shopping for candy at their first townsite matinee. March 8, 1956.
Parents watching pupils at Open House, and a car under the snow. March 15, 1956.
Open house at Nechako School, and gymnastic class display at townsite school. March 15, 1956.
Paving of Pintail Street and construction of neighbourhood A school. May 24, 1956.
Ladies curling team winners and runner ups. March 29, 1956.
Hudson's Bay Company building construction in City Centre. May 31, 1956.
Baseball game at Alcan field. June 7, 1956.
Five Little League Teams Start Season. June 21, 1956.
Junior Shooters Show Keen Marksmanship. Oct 5, 1956.
Interior of Kitimat Recreations Ltd. Anderson Ck. bowling alley and billiards centre.
Nechako School children pageant and student made Christmas village scene.
Guitarist Dick Stewart performing.
Kitimat highschool graduates of 1956 in 1966.
Grade 5 school children choir and grade 1 and 2 at opening of new school auditorium.
Minstrel show performers
Winners of commerce class business course project
Neighbourhood B highschool development.
Frozen Kitimat River and Kitimat Christmas nativity decoration at home.
Panabode construction at Kitimat Golf Club.
Junior Curlers Take Over.
Christening Party for baby Linda Jean Spracklin.
Nechako Centre skating rink.
Photographing woman in swimsuit.
Mike Kinnear in California.
Kitimat first citizen of the year Mrs. Ada Hayes.
Nechako School auditorium basketball game.
Cormorant elementary school in winter and curling club.
Basketball game between 1955 Sheardown Trophy winning team and 1951 Northern BC champions.
Garry Fricker crowned king of hearts.
Kitimat River Bridge photo by Mike Kinnear. First entrant in the Sentinel photo competition.
Junior Champions Take 1956 Baseball Honors.
Colors being received before remembrance day ceremony at Nechako school and basketball team.
Slugger Jim Perrin hitting baseball.
Baseball game as well as players in dugout.
Kitimat's Dick Hayes stops ball in baseball game.
First baseman Jack Connolly catching ball at baseball game.
Young Nechako Pupils Show Artistic Talents.
Kinnear Keen To See More Youths Use of Gyms.
Guy Kinnear Transferred to Arvida.
Sternwheeler Calls Here on Way to Become Museum Piece (Delta King).
California Here I Come and Ode To The Delta King.
The Leading Lady On Local Water Front - The Gallant Little Hi-Gear.
West Coast Terminals Ltd. and Highway Motor Express Ltd. ad.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Folder containing newspaper clipping from Mike Kinnear regarding various Kitimat events. Most articles are related to Mike Kinnear; either about him or his family, or including his photos.
The Duke of Edinburgh pours first ingot at Kitimat Work on 3 August 1954.
Kingfisher underpass construction and General Construction paving machine. July 28, 1955.
Portable classroom frames at Nechako Centre. July 28, 1955.
Jim Molyneaux at third base during a Kitimat-Terrace baseball game. August 25, 1955.
Children from townsite and smeltersite on a new fire pumper for Fire Prevention Week. Sept 15, 1955.
Highschool and movie theatre construction. Sept 22, 1955.
Townsite Folk Amazed At Methods Used In Fire Fighting And Prevention.
Kitimat Fire Prevention Week description.
Anglican Church Framework.
Construction of the Public Safety Building.
Construction of National Employment Service building.
Letter regarding voting in Kitimat from J.M. Kinnear.
Kitimat Curling Rink.
Imperials basketball game. Jan 26, 1956.
Runners up of the A and B event (curling). Feb 12, 1958.
Installation of President Ray Brown. March 1, 1956.
Youngsters shopping for candy at their first townsite matinee. March 8, 1956.
Parents watching pupils at Open House, and a car under the snow. March 15, 1956.
Open house at Nechako School, and gymnastic class display at townsite school. March 15, 1956.
Paving of Pintail Street and construction of neighbourhood A school. May 24, 1956.
Ladies curling team winners and runner ups. March 29, 1956.
Hudson's Bay Company building construction in City Centre. May 31, 1956.
Baseball game at Alcan field. June 7, 1956.
Five Little League Teams Start Season. June 21, 1956.
Junior Shooters Show Keen Marksmanship. Oct 5, 1956.
Interior of Kitimat Recreations Ltd. Anderson Ck. bowling alley and billiards centre.
Nechako School children pageant and student made Christmas village scene.
Guitarist Dick Stewart performing.
Kitimat highschool graduates of 1956 in 1966.
Grade 5 school children choir and grade 1 and 2 at opening of new school auditorium.
Minstrel show performers
Winners of commerce class business course project
Neighbourhood B highschool development.
Frozen Kitimat River and Kitimat Christmas nativity decoration at home.
Panabode construction at Kitimat Golf Club.
Junior Curlers Take Over.
Christening Party for baby Linda Jean Spracklin.
Nechako Centre skating rink.
Photographing woman in swimsuit.
Mike Kinnear in California.
Kitimat first citizen of the year Mrs. Ada Hayes.
Nechako School auditorium basketball game.
Cormorant elementary school in winter and curling club.
Basketball game between 1955 Sheardown Trophy winning team and 1951 Northern BC champions.
Garry Fricker crowned king of hearts.
Kitimat River Bridge photo by Mike Kinnear. First entrant in the Sentinel photo competition.
Junior Champions Take 1956 Baseball Honors.
Colors being received before remembrance day ceremony at Nechako school and basketball team.
Slugger Jim Perrin hitting baseball.
Baseball game as well as players in dugout.
Kitimat's Dick Hayes stops ball in baseball game.
First baseman Jack Connolly catching ball at baseball game.
Young Nechako Pupils Show Artistic Talents.
Kinnear Keen To See More Youths Use of Gyms.
Guy Kinnear Transferred to Arvida.
Sternwheeler Calls Here on Way to Become Museum Piece (Delta King).
California Here I Come and Ode To The Delta King.
The Leading Lady On Local Water Front - The Gallant Little Hi-Gear.
West Coast Terminals Ltd. and Highway Motor Express Ltd. ad.