Fonds MS-589 - Kathryn Chase Merrett fonds

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Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Kathryn Chase Merrett fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record
  • Graphic material - photograph

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds.

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA EDM MS-589

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1993-2018 (Creation)
    Creator
    Merrett, Kathryn Chase

Physical description area

Physical description

20 cm of textual records. - 8 photographs

Publisher's series area

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1944-2023)

Biographical history

Kathryn Chase Merrett was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She obtained a BAHons (1966) and an MA (1968) in English Literature from the University of Manitoba.

She came to Edmonton in 1967 and taught English Literature at the University of Alberta as a Sessional Lecturer in 1967-1968. In 1974 she received a diploma in Architectural Technology from NAIT and worked as an architectural programmer in the city until 1986. In 1992 she earned an MA in History from the University of Alberta after which she worked as an independent scholar and local historian.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of material created through Merrett’s work in compiling local histories of Edmonton. These include research and writings on the Edmonton City Market, the horticultural scene in Edmonton and the Cross Cancer Institute.

The majority of the records deal with research for a book on the Edmonton City Market (A History of the Edmonton City Market, 1900-200: Urban Values and Urban Culture) and political activism relating to a two-year fight to retain a City Market in the downtown. Research undertaken on Edmonton’s gardening history and publications based upon that research is also present. These records include transcripts of interviews conducted by Merrett with vendors and others associated with the Edmonton City Market, and a record of a two-year political process during which the Edmonton City Market building on 97th Street was closed and replaced by an outdoor market on 104th Street. The interviews, most of which are rendered in the voices of the interviewees, cover a variety of subjects relating to life in Edmonton from the 1930s through the 1960s and 1970s. The record of the 2002-2004 period in the City Market’s history includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, a photocopy of a petition presented to City Council, and meeting minutes. There are also photographs of some of the interviewees.

The records of the horticultural scene in Edmonton include Merrett's research on Edmonton's gardening history and articles written by Merrett for the Edmonton Horticultural Society's (EHS) newsletter, The Gardener's Gate. There is also a copy of Merrett's published work on gardening in Edmonton - Why We Grow Here: Essays on Edmonton's Gardening History.

The fonds also includes two publications from Merrett’s work with the Cross Cancer Institute. These items represent the commissioning of Merrett to write a history of the medical centre, as well as a history of the volunteer program there over the first 50 years of its existence.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

This fonds was donated to the City of Edmonton Archives by Kathryn Chase Merrett in six donations made between 1994 and 2018.

Arrangement

The material was arranged by the archivist by subject.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

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    Restrictions on access

    There are no restrictions on access.

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Copyright may apply.
    Reproduction restrictions may apply.

    Finding aids

    Finding aid available online.

    Associated materials

    Related materials

    Accruals

    Further accruals are expected.

    General note

    Accession numbers: A94-4, A95-205, A2001-62, A2004-99, A2015-64, A2018-75.

    Alternative identifier(s)

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    Description record identifier

    Institution identifier

    City of Edmonton Archives

    Rules or conventions

    Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
    Archives Society of Alberta Subject Terms

    Status

    Final

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation, revision and deletion

    Language of description

      Script of description

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