Programme for a classical music concert held by the Kitimat Concert Association. Includes list of songs and musicians, as well as information about the pieces and their composers.
Programme for a classical music concert held by the Kitimat Concert Association. Includes list of songs and musicians, as well as information about the pieces and their composers.
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.
File contains material relating to the naming of Mountainview Square: 14 ballots submitted by Kitimat residents, a newspaper supplement "We are looking for a Name," and a poster, also entitled "We are looking for a Name," featuring bees and tulips. Also included is a write-up by Museum staff giving the results of all 166 ballots from the original donation.
In April 1985, the merchants of the 'New City Centre' put on a naming contest for the commercial areas on the east side of Wakashan Avenue. The name Mountainview Square was chosen.
Custodial History
Items were donated Anne Berrisford on June 5th 2021
Scope and Content
File contains material relating to the naming of Mountainview Square: 14 ballots submitted by Kitimat residents, a newspaper supplement "We are looking for a Name," and a poster, also entitled "We are looking for a Name," featuring bees and tulips. Also included is a write-up by Museum staff giving the results of all 166 ballots from the original donation.
Notes
Only a sample of the original ballots were retained, in order to conserve space.
The new Tamitik arena was opened in 1980. It was officially named in May of that year, after a new contest was held by the Advisory Recreation Committee. (See Northern Sentinel, May 8th 1980, pg, 3, "Tamitik centre.")
Custodial History
Items were donated Anne Berrisford on June 5th 2021
Scope and Content
File contains two lists of potential names for the Tamitik arena, one typed and one handwritten.
This English-Haisla dictionary was assembled throughout the 1970s and early 1980s by Kitimat Centennial Museum Curator Gisela Mendel and linguist Hein 'Henry' Vink from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, with the help of numerous Haisla speakers, including Jeffrey Legaik, Amelia Grant, Kay Grant, Louise Barbetti, Melissa Woods, Irene Starr, and others.
Custodial History
Retained by the Kitimat Museum & Archives; formally accessioned in February 2024.
Scope and Content
Flash cards containing Haisla and English vocabulary.
Notes
Words in green were gathered by Hein Vink and words in black were gathered by Gisela Mendel.
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.
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.
The fonds consists of minutes, financial records, correspondence, constitutions, and files pertaining to the Arts and Crafts Fairs, the creation of K.O.A.T.A. and a Juried Art Show. Also includes 4 rubber stamps, and an album containing clippings, pamphlets and photos, gallary forms, Kitimat Community Arts Council logo, and a guest book.
Founded in 1970, incorporated in 1971, the role of the Kitimat Community Arts Council was to increase and broaden the opportunities for Kitimat citizens to enjoy and to participate in cultural and creative arts activities. Some of these activities include Arts and Crafts Fairs, sponsoring cultural performances and lobbying for funding for the Mount Elizabeth Theatre building. The council also sponsored K.A.O.T.A., a store selling local arts and crafts. The council disbanded in 1994.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of minutes, financial records, correspondence, constitutions, and files pertaining to the Arts and Crafts Fairs, the creation of K.O.A.T.A. and a Juried Art Show. Also includes 4 rubber stamps, and an album containing clippings, pamphlets and photos, gallary forms, Kitimat Community Arts Council logo, and a guest book.
Notes
Title based on the contents of the fonds. 2 boxes + guest book.
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 fonds consists of correspondence of Margaret Butcher to various family members describing her life in Kitamaat (Kitimat) and actibities at the Elizabeth Long Memorial Home.
Margaret Butcher emigrated to Canada around 1915. In 1916, she accepted a nursing position at the Kitamaat Girls Home (later the Elizabeth Long Memorial Home) a facility in Kitamaat supported by the Women's Missionary Society (Methodist) of British Columbia. She remained in Kitimat until 1919, when she moved to California.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of correspondence of Margaret Butcher to various family members describing her life in Kitamaat (Kitimat) and actibities at the Elizabeth Long Memorial Home.
Notes
Title based on the contents of the fonds. Copies from originals held in the BC Archives and Records Service (Add.MSS 362) : Photocopies 1983
Donor requested that copying be restricted to a few pages for research use, and that direct requests for complete copies be sent to the Provincial Archives. Copyright remains with Ms. Butcher's literary heirs. (See accession file)
The 'Associated Chambers of Commerce of Central B.C. 31st Annual Convention' in Terrace. Aluminum memo card
These souvenirs were donated in memory of her late husband Judge C. James, Norrington, formerly of Terrace.
Jim had been appointed Chairman of Entertainment for Alcan's first official party. Mr. & Mrs. Nathaniel Davies headed the party at Terrace CNR and were taken to Lakelse Lake for lunch at Mr.E.T. Kenny's summer home. They then headed out to Kitimat on the new CNR truck. Mr & Mrs. Norrington had received duplicate souvenirs. Mrs. Norrington sent a second set to E.T. Kenny in Terrace. Jim retired from the bench in 1971. He started the first Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge. Mr. & Mrs. Gwyn personnel managers; George Vincent and Bill Windrum and Pixie Mendrum (notable owner and editor of the Northern sentinel and her husband were friends of the Norringtons.
Physical Condition
fair
Material
aluminum
Condition Remarks
scratched
Height
16.5 cm
Length
10.1 cm
Inscriptions
The associated Chambers of Commerce of Central British Columbia and Alaskan affiliates
