Gateway to the Rockies Exhibition



Gateway, Rocky Mountain Park, [1921], Byron Harmon photograph, V263 / NA - 3436

 The Gateway to the Rockies exhibition is our permanent heritage gallery exhibition that was installed in the Spring of 2012 and updated in Winter of 2016/2017. The Gateway to the Rockies exhibition presents a brief history of the Canadian Rockies. It is designed to introduce visitors to the art, history and culture of the Canadian Rockies.

Throughout the exhibition, key figures and critical moments in Rocky Mountain history is used to shape the narrative. These individuals represent men and women from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds – from prominent socialites to ordinary people. The individual stories of these alpine adventurers, hunters of peace, and artistic eyes make it possible to highlight the richness of their time; their context enables a fresh reading of this place and its resonant past.

To get a brief introduction to some of these stories read the blog posts found under the Gateway to the Rockies option of our Blog Topics menu in the top right pop-out menu or come visit us at the Whyte Museum in Banff to explore the gallery yourself!


Popular posts from this blog

Banff Sanitarium Hotel: Mineral Springs, Monkeys, and Medicine

Image
Brett Sanitarium Hotel Mineral Springs, Monkeys, and Medicine Bretton Hall Banff, [b/t 1923 & 1933], George Noble fonds (V469/1835) In 1851, a baby boy was born to James Brett and Catherine Mallon in Strathroy, Upper Canada. This boy would become known as Robert George Brett, or more commonly Dr. Brett. He would graduate from Victoria College Medical School, as a Medical Doctor in 1874.  Dr. R.G. Brett and Nurse McCall, ca. 1912, George Paris fonds (V484/969/NA66/1998) After further education, work, and travel, Dr. Brett joined the Canadian Pacific Railway on its endevour to build the transcontinental railway in 1881. During this time he concocted the vision to open a hotel and sanitarium based on the use of the mineral springs found in Banff.  C.P.R. Engine 73 and train, [1880- 1890], Boorne and May Fonds (V10/1/90/NA66-690) 608. C.P.R. at Banff, [1887 or 1888], Boorne and May fonds (V10/PD/1/009) The site was selected and com...
Read more

In Castle Mountain's Shadow: The Story of Silver City

Image
In Castle Mountain's Shadow: The Story of Silver City Old Silver City mining town and Castle Mountain, 18 miles west of Banff, n.d., Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Norman Bethune Sanson fonds (V246/16/48/NA66/1989) Most people admire the towering fortress along the eastern edge of the Trans-Canada Highway as they drive north towards Lake Louise. Named by Sir James Hector in 1858, Castle Mountain is a place with a tumultuous past.   Before the railway was built through the Rocky Mountains the access to the region was either by foot or horse. In  1881, John Healy was shown a sample of copper ore collected from the base of Castle Mountain by a local Stoney Nakoda member. After having the ore tested, it was determined to contain high levels of copper and lead. In the same year, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) surveyors were determining a route through the mountains.  With the coming of the railway, the race was on to stake a prospect claim in the a...
Read more

Bill Peyto Rocky Mountain Guide and Outfitter

Image
E.W. "Bill" Peyto, 1902, Fear Brothers, Photographer, Bill Peyto fonds, (NA66-465), Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies  "I've guided all kinds of people into the mountains. At first they are hesitant, maybe with a healthy fear of bears or other animals. Some get frustrated just trying to get out of town, and for some it's all those things that Tom mentions, but once they are well outfitted and in the real wilderness they seem to open up like a high alpine meadow," – Bill Peyto The story of Bill Peyto is just one of the many stories in the new Gateway to the Rockies exhibition being developed by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.  We want your input and feedback on this permanent (ten year life) exhibition that we are planning to open at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in the spring of 2012. Tell us what you think of this and the other concepts and stories featured here. Let us know how you think we could make this exhibit...
Read more