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.
Collection of meeting minutes, scrapbooks, and Tamitiks from Mount Elizabeth Secondary School.
1- Minutes of School Government Meetings 1964-1965, 1965-1966, and 1966-1967.
2-Kitimat High School P.T.A. 1957-58
3- Archives- Scrapbook. Mt. Elizabeth Secondary School 1957-60
4-Scrapbook- Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1964
5- Secondary Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1965
6- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1966
7- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1967
8- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1968
9- Record book of the P. T. A. May 16/57. April 7/59 Tamitik duplicates for the following accession numbers P. J. A group
74-55-3: 4 copies of 1956 Tamitik
74-55-6: 2 copies of 1959 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957
78-10-3:3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7:1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-8: 1 duplicates of 1969
78-10-9: 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957 yearbook
78-10-3: 3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7: 1 duplicate of 1969 Tamitik
78-10-8 1 duplicate 1969
78-10-9 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
Collection of meeting minutes, scrapbooks, and Tamitiks from Mount Elizabeth Secondary School.
1- Minutes of School Government Meetings 1964-1965, 1965-1966, and 1966-1967.
2-Kitimat High School P.T.A. 1957-58
3- Archives- Scrapbook. Mt. Elizabeth Secondary School 1957-60
4-Scrapbook- Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1964
5- Secondary Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1965
6- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1966
7- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1967
8- Scrapbook Mt. Elizabeth Sec. 1968
9- Record book of the P. T. A. May 16/57. April 7/59 Tamitik duplicates for the following accession numbers P. J. A group
74-55-3: 4 copies of 1956 Tamitik
74-55-6: 2 copies of 1959 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957
78-10-3:3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7:1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-8: 1 duplicates of 1969
78-10-9: 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
74-55-4: 4 duplicates of 1957 yearbook
78-10-3: 3 duplicates of 1958 yearbook
78-10-6: 1 duplicates of 1967 Tamitik
78-10-7: 1 duplicate of 1969 Tamitik
78-10-8 1 duplicate 1969
78-10-9 8 duplicates of 1970 Tamitik
Storage Location
Archives Bay 4 Shelf 2 Box 84
Archives Bay 4 Shelf 5 Box 93
Photograph of various singing, dancing, and instrumental performances on stage. Many phone booth photos with different people alternating the booth. A car wash, hair cutting, and a lunch table with kids are also included.
Photograph of various singing, dancing, and instrumental performances on stage. Many phone booth photos with different people alternating the booth. A car wash, hair cutting, and a lunch table with kids are also included.
Possibly James Tirrul-Jones collection
Info cards were included in same envelope as photos. Possibly relating to neagtives.
Card 1: Eulachon Harvest Kemano early May. Totem pole. No Print. Totem pole Kemano close-up Neg# R17-71 Acc# 982.53.8
Card 2: Eulachon nets. No print. Neg# R17-15 Acc# 982.53.15B
Photographs consisting of images of men in Kitimat, water depth measuring stick, machinery, offices, buildings, Bank of Montreal, Boy Scouts camp, boy scouts flagpole, canoeing, boats, docks, Alcan construction, Delta King, trailers, Douglas Channel, Smeltersite, Smeltersite Project sign, Moore Creek falls, and Moore Creek bridge.
Photographs consisting of images of men in Kitimat, water depth measuring stick, machinery, offices, buildings, Bank of Montreal, Boy Scouts camp, boy scouts flagpole, canoeing, boats, docks, Alcan construction, Delta King, trailers, Douglas Channel, Smeltersite, Smeltersite Project sign, Moore Creek falls, and Moore Creek bridge.
Photographs of a tent being set up in the Riverlodge parking lot for Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary Celebrations. Includes both interior and exterior views.
Photographs of a tent being set up in the Riverlodge parking lot for Kitimat/Alcan's 40th Anniversary Celebrations. Includes both interior and exterior views.
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Pictures, clippings, letters of early Girl Guide and Boy Scout Movement in Kitimat, B.C. 1955-1961.
Photographs of McClure Lake Cub Camp Boy Scouts.
a- Anglican Cubs group photo. Camp McLure Lake. Leaders: ? Aiken, Peg Rewers, Joan Nyeste, Doris Morton, Wilf Thiebes. Sept 1960.
b- Scouts in front of building door and wearing aprons. Boy on left holding a tub, and boy on right holding a broom. Sept 1960.
c- Anglican Cub Pak Camp at McClure Lake, 1959 or 60 (includes origianl and 2 duplicates)
d- Group of Scout Leaders. L-R: Max Archer, Doris Morton, Wilf Thiebes, Peg Rewers, Joan Nyeste. Sept 60.
e- Scouts standing in a circle with arms up close to heads. Doing Taps. Sept 1960.
f- Boy Scouts with some leaders in background. At right: Bruce Nyeste, Barry Hoover, Tom Barrett. Sept 1960.
g- Group of Scouts standing in front of building. Gordon Montidore, Tom Barrett, --, Peter Dimitrov, Kim Tourner, Gordon Rogers, David Greening. Sept 1960.
6 photographs print : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm
3 photographs print : colour ; 9 x 13 cm
History / Biographical
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Photographs of McClure Lake Cub Camp Boy Scouts.
a- Anglican Cubs group photo. Camp McLure Lake. Leaders: ? Aiken, Peg Rewers, Joan Nyeste, Doris Morton, Wilf Thiebes. Sept 1960.
b- Scouts in front of building door and wearing aprons. Boy on left holding a tub, and boy on right holding a broom. Sept 1960.
c- Anglican Cub Pak Camp at McClure Lake, 1959 or 60 (includes origianl and 2 duplicates)
d- Group of Scout Leaders. L-R: Max Archer, Doris Morton, Wilf Thiebes, Peg Rewers, Joan Nyeste. Sept 60.
e- Scouts standing in a circle with arms up close to heads. Doing Taps. Sept 1960.
f- Boy Scouts with some leaders in background. At right: Bruce Nyeste, Barry Hoover, Tom Barrett. Sept 1960.
g- Group of Scouts standing in front of building. Gordon Montidore, Tom Barrett, --, Peter Dimitrov, Kim Tourner, Gordon Rogers, David Greening. Sept 1960.
Photographs of Clague Mountain and Thornhill Hike, 1st Kitimat Second Troop.
a- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop Clague Mountain Hike. Scoutmaster Gabe Nyeste. Assistant (on left) Werner Beck. Other boys are ?, ?, ?, Lange, ?, Rgehensher (sp?), ?, ?, ?, D. Beck.
b- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop Thornhill Mountain Hike. Spring 1958. Leaders: Scoutmaster Gale Nyeste. Assistant S.M. Werner Beck.
c- Scouts in the forest on Thornhill Hike. Bernie Schulte, Zigbert Ebeneau, -- Knudsen, Rolf Lange, Ken Patterson.
d- Shelter of Boughs.
3 photographs print : b&w ; 9 x 12.5 cm
1 photographs print : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
History / Biographical
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Photographs of Clague Mountain and Thornhill Hike, 1st Kitimat Second Troop.
a- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop Clague Mountain Hike. Scoutmaster Gabe Nyeste. Assistant (on left) Werner Beck. Other boys are ?, ?, ?, Lange, ?, Rgehensher (sp?), ?, ?, ?, D. Beck.
b- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop Thornhill Mountain Hike. Spring 1958. Leaders: Scoutmaster Gale Nyeste. Assistant S.M. Werner Beck.
c- Scouts in the forest on Thornhill Hike. Bernie Schulte, Zigbert Ebeneau, -- Knudsen, Rolf Lange, Ken Patterson.
d- Shelter of Boughs.
Photographs of snowshoe hike on Clague Mountain. 1st Kitimat Scout Troop.
a- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop. Assistant Scout Master Werner Beck. Scouts: Brian Lumley, Eric Harris, Bob Nyeste. Standing near forest holding their snowshoes.
b- 1st Kitimat Scouot Troop. Brian Lumley, Eric Harris, Bob Nyeste, Deitlef Beck. Snowshoe hike, Clague Mountain. Group is standing in icy road with snowshoes in snowbacnk on left.
c- Deitlef Beck standing with Gabe Nyeste. Others are Hanson, Eric Harris, Brian Lumley, and ?. Cabin on stilts behind them. Man up in cabin door.
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Photographs of snowshoe hike on Clague Mountain. 1st Kitimat Scout Troop.
a- 1st Kitimat Scout Troop. Assistant Scout Master Werner Beck. Scouts: Brian Lumley, Eric Harris, Bob Nyeste. Standing near forest holding their snowshoes.
b- 1st Kitimat Scouot Troop. Brian Lumley, Eric Harris, Bob Nyeste, Deitlef Beck. Snowshoe hike, Clague Mountain. Group is standing in icy road with snowshoes in snowbacnk on left.
c- Deitlef Beck standing with Gabe Nyeste. Others are Hanson, Eric Harris, Brian Lumley, and ?. Cabin on stilts behind them. Man up in cabin door.
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
2 newspaper clippings
- Boy Scouts Name Slate Officers (1961)
- Scouts Banquet Guest J.S Kendrick with Gabor Nyeste
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Photographs of Girl Guides Camp Lakelse 1957
a-Kitimat Girl Guide amp July 1957. Fancy dress caption 3rd co Mollie Bush District Commissioner Les Creed.
b- Kitimat Guide Camp Lakelse July 1957. Tents.
c- Northern Division Guide Camp Lakelse Lake. July 1958 Sunday Morning service. Centre: ? from Prince Rupert, L. Creed Kitimat. Provincial. Phylis Munday, Trainer.
Photographs of Girl Guide Camp, Phylis Munday Trainer
a- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Fancy dress Joanne Rewers. Dresses appear to be made from tree branches?
b- Kitimat Guide Camp Lakelse Lake July 58. District Commissioner Les Creed. Patrol Leader (2nd co) Nyl Creed. Standing in front of a tree.
c- Kitimat Guide's Camp July 58. Captain 2nd co. Joan Nyeste. Wearing fancy tropical dress, with others also in dress.
d- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Trainer - Phyl Munday (the famnous mountain climber recently on thrill of a lifetime on Mt. Waddington) demonstrating earth cooking pit.
e- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Leaders Mollie Bush (3rd c/o), Peg Hammond (2nd), (demonstarting uses for aluminum foil in ??)
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Photographs of Girl Guide Camp, Phylis Munday Trainer
a- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Fancy dress Joanne Rewers. Dresses appear to be made from tree branches?
b- Kitimat Guide Camp Lakelse Lake July 58. District Commissioner Les Creed. Patrol Leader (2nd co) Nyl Creed. Standing in front of a tree.
c- Kitimat Guide's Camp July 58. Captain 2nd co. Joan Nyeste. Wearing fancy tropical dress, with others also in dress.
d- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Trainer - Phyl Munday (the famnous mountain climber recently on thrill of a lifetime on Mt. Waddington) demonstrating earth cooking pit.
e- Kitimat Guide Camp July 58. Leaders Mollie Bush (3rd c/o), Peg Hammond (2nd), (demonstarting uses for aluminum foil in ??)
Newspaper Clippings Girl Guides
- It's Guide Cookie Week, April 28th, 1958
- Dedication of flag at Morning Service, Christ Church, June 10 by 2nd company Kitimat Girl Guides.
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Newspaper Clippings Girl Guides
- It's Guide Cookie Week, April 28th, 1958
- Dedication of flag at Morning Service, Christ Church, June 10 by 2nd company Kitimat Girl Guides.