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.
DVD and film reel include. Building and construction of Eurocan Pulp & Paper views of the camp and moving earth around sandhill and location of the old paper mill. 10 minute video from 1969 driving around Kitimat by the firehall, on top of firehall overlooking Nechako/Albatross. Driving down Albatross standing on overpass overlooking downtown. Then driving down Enterprise Avenue.
Film reel is addressed to "Mr. H. Binder" from "Max Patzelt"
Film stored on museums file server
DVD and film reel include. Building and construction of Eurocan Pulp & Paper views of the camp and moving earth around sandhill and location of the old paper mill. 10 minute video from 1969 driving around Kitimat by the firehall, on top of firehall overlooking Nechako/Albatross. Driving down Albatross standing on overpass overlooking downtown. Then driving down Enterprise Avenue.
Film reel is addressed to "Mr. H. Binder" from "Max Patzelt"
Film stored on museums file server
Newspaper article negative and proof. From The News Advertiser. Article is titled "Kitimat's Max Patzelt takes a break", and is a biography of Max Patzelt. Article is written by Maureen Barbour.
1 Newpaper article negative 13 x 7 in (a)
1 Newpaper article proof 13.5 x 7.5 in (b)
Scope and Content
Newspaper article negative and proof. From The News Advertiser. Article is titled "Kitimat's Max Patzelt takes a break", and is a biography of Max Patzelt. Article is written by Maureen Barbour.
Photo showing Alderman Max Patzelt, who had the most strenous objection to Bill 85-Public Officials and Employees Disclosure Act. Up for re-election in the fall, he said, "I wanted to run again but may change my mind...not due to the fact of my personal assets - anybody can look at those - but, if anybody can see the financial statements of my business then I don't think this is right.
Photo showing Alderman Max Patzelt, who had the most strenous objection to Bill 85-Public Officials and Employees Disclosure Act. Up for re-election in the fall, he said, "I wanted to run again but may change my mind...not due to the fact of my personal assets - anybody can look at those - but, if anybody can see the financial statements of my business then I don't think this is right.
Max Patzelt seated at a table wearing a plaid buttonup shirt. The white banner above reads "Mission Impossible? Call Kitimat Photo Supply Ltd.". The wall to the right of Max is colored orange, and the wall behind him is colored green.
Max Patzelt seated at a table wearing a plaid buttonup shirt. The white banner above reads "Mission Impossible? Call Kitimat Photo Supply Ltd.". The wall to the right of Max is colored orange, and the wall behind him is colored green.
