Fonds contains documents, photographs, photocopies, and maps collected by Arvid Hardin throughout his ten years in Kitimat. Areas of focus include high school life, the Kitimat Army Cadets, and the creation of Hirsch Creek Park, the Kitimat Community Centre, and the Kitimat trail system.
Arvid Hardin (born c. 1941) lived in Kitimat from 1953 to 1963. He graduated from Mount Elizabeth Secondary School in 1959, served as an active member of the Kitimat Army Cadet Corps, and was involved with the creation of Hirsch Creek Provincial Park. Around 2008, he collaborated with E.E. 'Bill' Duyvewaardt and other former Kitimat Cadets to write a 'historical profile' of the Cadets and their activities.
Custodial History
Materials from accession 2009.15 were donated by Arvid Hardin to the Museum on June 10th, 2009.
Materials from accession 2022.18 were donated by Arvid Hardin on May 10th, 2022.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains documents, photographs, photocopies, and maps collected by Arvid Hardin throughout his ten years in Kitimat. Areas of focus include high school life, the Kitimat Army Cadets, and the creation of Hirsch Creek Park, the Kitimat Community Centre, and the Kitimat trail system.
Conservation
Many pages old and yellowing. Staples, paper clips, and other metal fasteners removed from all papers in March & May 2022.
Storage Location
Box 39
Photo storage
Related Material
Artifacts donated by Arvid Hardin include a proclamation (2009.15.6), gazette (2009.15.7), and high school certificate (2009.15.11).
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.
Two issues of British Columbia History featurning article "Transportation In Moving Men, Machines, and Materials on the Kitimat Project" by Louise Avery, and one Kitimat Centennial Museum brochure
British Columbia History. Journal of the British Columbia Historical Federation
Spring 2010
Vol. 43 No.1
Summer 2010
Vol. 43 No.2
Kitimat Centennial Museum brochure. At Our community museum you can... (1997)
Two issues of British Columbia History featurning article "Transportation In Moving Men, Machines, and Materials on the Kitimat Project" by Louise Avery, and one Kitimat Centennial Museum brochure
British Columbia History. Journal of the British Columbia Historical Federation
Spring 2010
Vol. 43 No.1
Summer 2010
Vol. 43 No.2
Kitimat Centennial Museum brochure. At Our community museum you can... (1997)
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.
Booklets relating to Kitlope and rainforest development resources and information. Also includes photocopy articles and other information photocopies about the Kiwanis opening.
Booklet - New Bearings. Conservation-based Development in the Rain Forests of Home. The Strategic Vision of Ecotrust
Booklet - A Cultural and Scientific Reconnaissance of the Greater Kitlope Ecosystem. An Executive Summary by Alex Rose. September, 1991. Published by Ecotrust and Conservation International-Canada
Booklet/Report - Following The Bubbles a report on the second Kitlope workshop held April 28-9, 1993. Sponsored by: The Haisla Nation, The Government of British Columbia, Ecotrust. District of Kitimat Received Jun 23 1993.
Booklet/Report - The Greater Kitlope Ecosystem: A Wilderness Planning Framework. A report by Grant Copeland, Wayne McCrory and Ray Travers for The Haisla Nation and Ecotrust. July, 1992.
Articles/Photocopies - Kiwanis opens first housing for seniors. Ingot Volume 28, No. 21. October 2, 1981 - Letter from sponsered youth in Ughanda - Kiwanis opens seniors' Village - Local dream comes true. Ingot October 2, 1961 - Kiwanis club congratulated for vision, drive. Northern Sentinel Volume XXVIII No. 83. Friday, October 2, 1981 - Program for Kitimat Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society Official Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. October 1, 1981 1:30pm.
Booklets relating to Kitlope and rainforest development resources and information. Also includes photocopy articles and other information photocopies about the Kiwanis opening.
Booklet - New Bearings. Conservation-based Development in the Rain Forests of Home. The Strategic Vision of Ecotrust
Booklet - A Cultural and Scientific Reconnaissance of the Greater Kitlope Ecosystem. An Executive Summary by Alex Rose. September, 1991. Published by Ecotrust and Conservation International-Canada
Booklet/Report - Following The Bubbles a report on the second Kitlope workshop held April 28-9, 1993. Sponsored by: The Haisla Nation, The Government of British Columbia, Ecotrust. District of Kitimat Received Jun 23 1993.
Booklet/Report - The Greater Kitlope Ecosystem: A Wilderness Planning Framework. A report by Grant Copeland, Wayne McCrory and Ray Travers for The Haisla Nation and Ecotrust. July, 1992.
Articles/Photocopies - Kiwanis opens first housing for seniors. Ingot Volume 28, No. 21. October 2, 1981 - Letter from sponsered youth in Ughanda - Kiwanis opens seniors' Village - Local dream comes true. Ingot October 2, 1961 - Kiwanis club congratulated for vision, drive. Northern Sentinel Volume XXVIII No. 83. Friday, October 2, 1981 - Program for Kitimat Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society Official Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. October 1, 1981 1:30pm.
