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.
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.
The Prince Rupert Daily News is a community oriented newspaper that has been in continuous print for nearly one hundred years. With a proud tradition as the paper of record for Prince Rupert, BC since 1911, the Daily News is still going strong today. The newspaper provides their community and others with the latest information on local news, sports, and cultural activities around the area and important issues concerning Prince Rupert and the North Coast.
Custodial History
Stored at the Prince Rupert Daily News until the collection was transfered, as part of a larger collection, to the Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives. The part of the collection pertaining to Kitimat/Kemano was transfered to the Kitimat Museum & Archives in January of 2010.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of photographs of the Alcan Smelter casting in Kitimat, power operations and residential areas in Kemano.
Hungarian stamps in a picture frame. The frame is black and is 51.5 x 41.5 cm. The years 1939-41 and 1943-44 are written on each side of the stamps. There is also big text for "Hungary" at the top in red and green colours, with a coat of arms flag below it.
Hungarian stamps in a picture frame. The frame is black and is 51.5 x 41.5 cm. The years 1939-41 and 1943-44 are written on each side of the stamps. There is also big text for "Hungary" at the top in red and green colours, with a coat of arms flag below it.
Each has a string holding hook in place. Some sinew used this hook is slightly sprung. The hooks have been rubbed with spruce gum and hemlock boughs to hide scent of humans.
1-Sinew bound, string beneath. Sinew-halibut hook Dimensions: 18cm long at longest point. 6 1/2 cm at widest point Condition: rusted but good condition
2-String holding hook projection in place. Some sinew is used on this hook. Dimensions: 16 cm at longest point, 6 1/2 cm at widest point Condition: hook is slightly sprung, also rusted-string intact, some sinew has fallen off
Each has a string holding hook in place. Some sinew used this hook is slightly sprung. The hooks have been rubbed with spruce gum and hemlock boughs to hide scent of humans.
1-Sinew bound, string beneath. Sinew-halibut hook Dimensions: 18cm long at longest point. 6 1/2 cm at widest point Condition: rusted but good condition
2-String holding hook projection in place. Some sinew is used on this hook. Dimensions: 16 cm at longest point, 6 1/2 cm at widest point Condition: hook is slightly sprung, also rusted-string intact, some sinew has fallen off
Poster for the Kitimat Community band. Text reads "Achievement! Join Kitimat community band Wed. 6:30 pm Mount Elizabeth S.S." The "join is larger and highlighted with yellow. There is a stylized illustration of people playing instruments in the center with red highlights. Poster background is blue. Logo in bottom left corner.
Poster for the Kitimat Community band. Text reads "Achievement! Join Kitimat community band Wed. 6:30 pm Mount Elizabeth S.S." The "join is larger and highlighted with yellow. There is a stylized illustration of people playing instruments in the center with red highlights. Poster background is blue. Logo in bottom left corner.
Abstract shaped glass and wood trophy. Glass top has bevelled edges, inscription reads "The Communicator Award" Scroll with a feather pen is in the centre, with the date '1999'. Pyramid shaped wooden base with inscription 'Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd., Ingot, John Hurst, Editor, Cathie Stevens, Associate Editor, 'Ingot - April 24, 1998."
Abstract shaped glass and wood trophy. Glass top has bevelled edges, inscription reads "The Communicator Award" Scroll with a feather pen is in the centre, with the date '1999'. Pyramid shaped wooden base with inscription 'Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd., Ingot, John Hurst, Editor, Cathie Stevens, Associate Editor, 'Ingot - April 24, 1998."
Physical Condition
good
Material
Wood
glass
Height
23 cm
Width
15.5 cm
Length
8 cm
Accession Number
2013.10.17
Biographical Notes
Cathie Stevens was the Associate Editor of the Ingot in 1998.
Clipping depicts a Provincial Government advertisement on the industrial and commercial opportunities in British Columbia focusing mostly on the natural resources such as forestry, mining, agriculture, fisheries and power.
Clipping depicts a Provincial Government advertisement on the industrial and commercial opportunities in British Columbia focusing mostly on the natural resources such as forestry, mining, agriculture, fisheries and power.
Notes
Clipping origin unknown. District of Kitimat Collection
