Series consists of records of the Whaletown Community Club from the 1950s, and club newsletters from the late 1980s. Both Gilean Douglas and Philip Major Douglas held office in the club during the 1950s. Series includes correspondence, financial reports, lists of members and other administrative documents, and newsletters.
Series consists of records of the Whaletown Community Club from the 1950s, and club newsletters from the late 1980s. Both Gilean Douglas and Philip Major Douglas held office in the club during the 1950s. Series includes correspondence, financial reports, lists of members and other administrative documents, and newsletters.
Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
1.9 m of textual records; ca. 2,352 photographic records (1147 prints : b&w and col. - ca. 560 negatives : b&w and col. negatives ; 35 mm and 14 x 11 cm or smaller - 645 slides : col. slides ; 35 mm); 1 cm of graphic material; 8 maps.
Extent
1.9
History / Biographical
Gilean Douglas was born in Toronto, Ont. In 1900. Orphaned at the age of 16, she began to work as a free-lance writer and photographer. Over her lifetime her work appeared in more than 200 publications, often published under pseudonyms (Grant Madison, Armoral Kent and Jill MacLean). Douglas published eight books of poetry and three books of non-fiction, and, from 1961 to 1992, wrote a regular column, “Nature Rambles”, for the Victoria Times-Colonist.
In 1939, following the collapse of her third marriage, Douglas moved from Ontario to an isolated cabin in the mountains near Hope, B.C. Her first two books of nature writing (one published under the name Grant Madison) document her life there. Her cabin was destroyed by fire in 1947 and two years later she moved to a 138-acre waterfront homestead on Cortes Island with her fourth husband, Philip Douglas, (née Major). Her marriage ended in 1953, but she remained there until her death in 1993. Her home at Channel Rock was isolated, with no road access and no electricity. Douglas had a large garden, and supplemented her writing income by selling produce and plants. She was a volunteer Weather Observer for Environment Canada for 33 years, receiving several awards for her service. Starting in the 1960s, her writing centered increasingly on her life at Channel Rock. Her "Nature Rambles" columns and book "The Protected Place" reflect her life on the island.
During her years on Cortes Island, Douglas took a leading role in community affairs and local politics. She held office in several community organizations and acted as a school trustee. As a member of the Women's Institute, she held local, district, provincial and national office, edited a book on its history, and was awarded a Life Membership in 1989. Douglas was a member of the first Cortes Island Advisory Planning Commission and represented Cortes on the Regional Board of Comox-Strathcona as Alternate Director from 1968 to 1973 and as Director from 1973 until 1977.
List of Book Publications:
1952 Now the Green Word (Wings Press, Mill Valley, Ca.)
1953 Poetic Plush (The Story Book Press, Dallas, Texas)
1953 River For My Sidewalk (by “Grant Madison”; J. M. Dent & Sons, Toronto, Ont.)
1954 The Pattern Set (Quality Press, Montreal, Quebec)
1959 Modern Pioneers (a history of the Women's Institute, ed. by Douglas; Evergreen Press)
1967 Seascape With Figures (Prairie Press, Iowa City, Iowa)
1973 Now In This Night (Harlo Press, Detroit, Mi.)
1978 Silence Is My Homeland (Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa.)
1979 The Protected Place (Gray’s Publishing, Sidney, B.C.)
1982 Prodigal (Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, B.C.)
1984 River For My Sidewalk (by Gilean Douglas; Sono Nis Press)
1985 Kodachromes at Midday (Sono Nis Press)
1992 Seascape With Figures - Poems Selected and New (Sono Nis Press)
Custodial History
Upon Douglas’ death in 1993 her papers were gathered from her house by her literary executor, Gillian Milton. Douglas’ will directed that her papers and photographs be turned over to the University of British Columbia (Douglas’ primary beneficiary), after being examined and used for literary purposes including publication or biography. Accordingly, Milton inventoried the records, and with Andrea Lebowitz made use of them for a biography and anthology of the writings of Douglas, "Gilean Douglas: Writing Nature, Finding Home" (Lebowitz and Milton, Sono Nis Press, 1999). The textual records were turned over to University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections in December 1999; the photographic records in 2002. By agreement with UBC, the records and photographs which have to do primarily with Cortes Island were turned over to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society (Manson's Landing, B.C.) in 1999.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
Gilean Douglas fonds at the University of British Columbia Library (Special Collections)
Cortes Island Ratepayers Association fonds
Gorge Harbour Community Hall fonds
Whaletown Community Club fonds
Whaletown Women's Institute fonds
Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Copyright
Copyright for Douglas's published writings is held by the University of British Columbia. Permission to use Douglas's manuscripts for publication purposes must be obtained from the University of British Columbia or from Gillian Milton, literary executor for the estate of Gilean Douglas.
Arrangement
Wherever possible, Douglas’ system of arrangement has been retained, and original groupings of material have been maintained. Other material has been arranged according to type.
Resolution changing the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society to the Whaletown Community Club; Constitution, certification under the Societies Act; Aims and Objects; agenda for annual meeting
Resolution changing the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society to the Whaletown Community Club; Constitution, certification under the Societies Act; Aims and Objects; agenda for annual meeting
File contains an agreement passing the responsibility for the Church Hall (at the corner of Harbour road next to the first Whaletown cemetery) from the Whaletown Community Club to the Whaletown Women's Institute. At that time, the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society turned the Gorge Hall over to the Whaletown Community Club.
File contains an agreement passing the responsibility for the Church Hall (at the corner of Harbour road next to the first Whaletown cemetery) from the Whaletown Community Club to the Whaletown Women's Institute. At that time, the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society turned the Gorge Hall over to the Whaletown Community Club.
Series consists of publicity articles written by Douglas for the Women's Institute during her term as Publicity Convener, and reports, speeches and notes from her activities on the provincial and national boards.
Series consists of publicity articles written by Douglas for the Women's Institute during her term as Publicity Convener, and reports, speeches and notes from her activities on the provincial and national boards.
This series contains records pertaining to the administration of the Whaletown Community Club including the constitution and bylaws, an agreement with the Whaletown Women's Institute, tax and insurance records, lease agreements, membership records and reports of finances and activities filed with the provincial government.
This series contains records pertaining to the administration of the Whaletown Community Club including the constitution and bylaws, an agreement with the Whaletown Women's Institute, tax and insurance records, lease agreements, membership records and reports of finances and activities filed with the provincial government.
Series consists of documents pertaining to the Whaletown Cemetery, including original draft of "Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of the Whaletown Cemetery, Whaletown, B.C." (1970s), Whaletown Cemetery Board meeting minutes, a map of the old cemetery, and newspaper clipping of obituaries for Norene Kvello and Richard Irwin Teames. Series was removed from a binder when accessioned.
Series consists of documents pertaining to the Whaletown Cemetery, including original draft of "Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of the Whaletown Cemetery, Whaletown, B.C." (1970s), Whaletown Cemetery Board meeting minutes, a map of the old cemetery, and newspaper clipping of obituaries for Norene Kvello and Richard Irwin Teames. Series was removed from a binder when accessioned.
File contains correspondence with School District 72 re the old Whaletown school property and building; a Bill of Sale for the school house for $1; a License Agreement for the school property for a term of 5 years for a fee of $150/year; a request to extend the lease for another 5 years (2015) and a receipt for payment of the annual lease fee (July 1 2015-June 30 2016).
File contains correspondence with School District 72 re the old Whaletown school property and building; a Bill of Sale for the school house for $1; a License Agreement for the school property for a term of 5 years for a fee of $150/year; a request to extend the lease for another 5 years (2015) and a receipt for payment of the annual lease fee (July 1 2015-June 30 2016).
Series consists of material generated and collected by Douglas during the course of her involvement with the Whaletown Women's Auxiliary, a group which provided support for the activities of the Columbia Coast Mission. From 1949 to 1961, the CCM maintained a station at Whaletown comprising a mission house, clinic building and church. Series includes correspondence, typed manuscripts of Douglas's annual World Day of Prayer talks, records of the Cortes Island Clinic Society and clippings.
Series consists of material generated and collected by Douglas during the course of her involvement with the Whaletown Women's Auxiliary, a group which provided support for the activities of the Columbia Coast Mission. From 1949 to 1961, the CCM maintained a station at Whaletown comprising a mission house, clinic building and church. Series includes correspondence, typed manuscripts of Douglas's annual World Day of Prayer talks, records of the Cortes Island Clinic Society and clippings.
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID)
Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ?
In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson
Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera
Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her
Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID)
Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ?
In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson
Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera
Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her
Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
Photograph of (L to R) Peggy Newsham, Barbara Hunt, Rita Ogren and Mrs. Saunders. They are seated inside, with cakes on a coffee table in front of them. (Possibly a Women's Institute meeting?)
Photograph of (L to R) Peggy Newsham, Barbara Hunt, Rita Ogren and Mrs. Saunders. They are seated inside, with cakes on a coffee table in front of them. (Possibly a Women's Institute meeting?)
Series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, as well as some reports on activities carried on by the club which were filed in with the correspondence.
This series contains some material which came to CIMAS with the Gilean Douglas Fonds.
Scope and Content
Series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, as well as some reports on activities carried on by the club which were filed in with the correspondence.
Series consists of monthly and annual financial statements, some hand-written treasurer's reports, ledger pages showing transaction records and receipts.
3 cm. of textual records, including four spiral-bound ledger books and a spiral-bound receipt book
Scope and Content
Series consists of monthly and annual financial statements, some hand-written treasurer's reports, ledger pages showing transaction records and receipts.
Series consists of reports, correspondence, lists, calendars and other printed material relating to projects carried out by the Whaletown Community Club, including social events and construction and maintenance work on the Gorge Harbour Community Hall.
This series was consolidated from subject files kept by the Whaletown Community Club pertaining to their activities.
Scope and Content
Series consists of reports, correspondence, lists, calendars and other printed material relating to projects carried out by the Whaletown Community Club, including social events and construction and maintenance work on the Gorge Harbour Community Hall.
