Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
J.B. Harkin fonds
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- Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds
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Fonds
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Physical description area
Physical description
4 cm textual records. -- 1 photograph: print; b&w; 8x10 in.
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
James Bernard Harkin, 1875-1955 was born in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada. In 1892 Harkin worked for a newspaper in Montreal and in 1893 moved to The Ottawa Journal. Promoted to city editor, Harkin gained access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery. In 1901 Harkin went to work for the federal civil service as a clerk in the Department of the Interior and in 1904 became Parlimentary Secretary to the Minister of the Interior. In 1911 the Dominion Parks Branch was established within the Department of the Interior as a result of the increasing importance of parks to the federal government's conservation and tourism policies. From 1911 to 1936 Harkin, as Commissioner of Dominion Parks, developed Canada's National Park system and created a centralized agency to administer the National Parks. Harkin promoted and was instrumental in the successful passage of the National Parks Act - federal legislation providing for the conservation of National Parks in Canada. During his term as Commissioner of Dominion Parks, Harkin generated greater awareness of the importance of conservation and was influential in promoting ecological approaches to public recreation and tourism initiatives within the national parks.
Custodial history
Records were donated to Parks Canada staff and subsequently transfered to Library Archives Canada (then the National Archives of Canada). In 2004 records were transfered and acquired by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of notes and letters by J.B. Harkin; transcripts of Harkin's notes and quotations by Mabel B. Williams and Dorothy Barber (former colleagues of Harkin); biographical notes; articles re Harkin; a Parks Canada newsletter; correspondence between M.B. Williams and Dr. Robin Winks; a letter to Harkin from N.K. Luxton. Fonds also includes a photograph of Harkin by Yousef Karsh.
Notes area
Physical condition
Three textual items in poor condition; photograph has surface cracks
Immediate source of acquisition
Acquired by transfer 2004;Transfered from the National Archives of Canada, 2004
Arrangement
Language of material
- Language is English
Script of material
Location of originals
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Restrictions on access
No restrictions on access
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Finding aids
No finding aid
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Accruals
General note
Record No. M143 / V84<br><br>
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
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Name access points
- Harkin, J.B. (Subject)