Peaks and People

Bert Riggall fonds, V26/III/A1/PA-7, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Bert’s Riggall’s photographs articulate a unique narrative that contributes to our sense of place and how we today, see ourselves in relation to the Rocky Mountains. Bert Riggall moved from England to Southern Alberta in 1904. He secured a job at Craighurst Farm near Calgary, where he met his wife Dorthea (Dora) Riggall (nee Williams). In 1905 Bert worked for the Correction Land Survey, touring Southwestern Alberta. While Bert was surveying what is now Waterton Lakes National Park he became enamoured with the mountain landscape. In 1906 Bert and Dora married and moved to the Waterton area where they homesteaded and ranched until 1946. By 1909, Bert was running a guiding and outfitting business leading numerous hunting and fishing excursions in the area. Working with his wife Dora, Bert led trips throughout the Rockies: Yarrow Canyon onto Big Horn Pass, the Avion Ridge trail, the Continental Divide bet...

Tattoos? In an art museum? Yes. We know. Not your typical art exhibit. But that's the whole point... Our "On the Fringe of the Bow" exhibition features artists and art forms that haven't quite hit the mainstream of the art world yet but are nonetheless beautiful and awe-inspiring. The artists are all Bow Valley residents and we've chosen our Top 7 Mountain Inspired Tattoos to share. These tattoo artists are literally connecting peaks and people... 1. Geometry meets Geography Who needs a wood frame when you've got skin for a canvas and ink for your paint? Corson Hayes (@primitiveimprint) 2. Curated Canadiana  The only thing this tattoo is missing is a hockey stick and a grizzly bear. Veronique Gray (@vongray) of Electric Grizzly Tattoo in Canmore 3. Did someone say Grizzly Bear? This geometric Grizz has his own tattoos to show off  with peaks and arrows pointing the way forward. Corson Hayes (@pri...

What do you picture when you think of an archive? Dusty shelves and old books? A dark, cool basement that’s impossible to find? A librarian with thick glasses and a stern, silencing stare? These may be accurate descriptions of some archives, but not at the Whyte Museum. Allow us to share with you a Day in the Life at the Whyte Museum Archives & Library… The Reference Archivist opens the doors to the Archives. A historical film is playing on the television by the door to entice visitors inside. Natural light streams into the front area where reproductions of photographs from the collection hang on the wall. Mount Rundle is visible through the large windows.             Keen researchers arrive, prepared with their lists of materials that they are eager to examine. Visitors peak around the doorway, curious to see what this secluded room may contain. The Reference Archivist heads for the double doors t...