Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Graphic material
- Textual record
- Moving images
Parallel title
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Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1903-2003 (Creation)
- Creator
- Stephenson, Gerry
Physical description area
Physical description
5 m of textual records
1 m of photographs (c 2500 photos [800 in Series M, N and O])
16950 feet of film
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Gerry Stephenson (1938-2003) worked for Bell Canada in Peterborough. After early retirement he turned his attention to the career of his grandfather, John Stephenson, and his identification with the history of the Peterborough Canoe. He was greatly assisted by the ongoing research of Dr Cameron who presented his findings to the Peterborough Historical Society in 1975. Working from this base, Gerry pursued patent records and newspaper and magazine account. In 1987, he published his findings in a Peterborough Historical Society occasional paper entitled “John Stephenson and the Famous ‘Peterborough’ Canoes” (1987). He continued to pursue research on wooden canoes and boats and at his death was pursuing the influence of George Stephenson in Maine canoe-making.
Custodial history
The papers were donated to the Trent Valley Archives in 2004 by Mary Stephenson, Peterborough, Ontario. The papers have been organized as closely as possible in the system developed by Gerry Stephenson.
The papers contain materials that were inherited by Gerry Stephenson from his mother and father (Mr and Mrs Alfred [Fred] J. Stephenson), from his grandmother (Mrs Joseph Sucee) and from his uncle (Mel Sucee).
Scope and content
The fonds is organized in the following series. Those series most pertinent to Gerry’s work and interest in canoes and history are Series A to F. However, the photographic collections found elsewhere contain many shots related to canoeing history. The papers are also distinguished by materials related to the lives of his parents and grandparents and his uncle, Mel Sucee.
A. Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, 1993-2003 (Files 1-120, 902- ) 1.5 m
B. Heritage Canoe Festival, 1985-1996 (Files 121-157) 25 cm
C. Canadian Canoe Museum, 1990-2003 (Files 158-165) 7 cm
D. Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives, 1986-1987 (Files 166-169, 585-586) 5 cm
E. Peterborough Historical Society, 1987-1998 (Files 170-192) 20 cm
F. Peterborough Canoe History, 1976-2003 (Files 193-519, 587-593) Research materials from 1850s to present 1.5 m
G. Cottage life, 1977-1992 (Files 520-558, 797, 898-901) 45 cm
H. Bell Canada, 1970-1995 (Files 559-565) 13 cm
I. Mary and Gerry Stephenson, 1938-1993 (Files 566-584; 594-622) 35 cm
J. Gerry Stephenson photographic, 1967-2000 (Files 623-720, 773) 60 cm
K. Gerry Stephenson slides, 1949-1993 (Files 721-757) 25 cm
L. Dainard family, 1951, undated (Files 758-764) 5 cm
M. Fred Stephenson and family, 1940s-1990s (Files 765-796, less 773; 809-829; 867-885, 897) 35 cm
N. Joseph Sucee family, 1904-1930 (Files 798-808, 886-896) 15 cm
O. Mel Sucee, 1890s-1940s (Files 830-866) 10 cm
P. Mel Sucee, moving film collection
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Open to researchers.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Available on site.
Associated materials
Accruals
None expected.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Canadian Canoe Museum (Subject)
- Western Clock Company Limited (Subject)
- Peterborough Historical Society (Subject)
- Stephenson, Alfred John (Subject)
- Sucee, Joseph (Subject)
- Sucee, Mel (Subject)