The Archdeacon W.H. Collison fonds consists of textual materials, maps, published materials and photographs all documenting Collison’s life and work with North Coastal First Nations communities in British Columbia. Types of records found within this fonds include manuscripts, sermon notes, correspondence, oral history summaries, monographs, cartographic items, photographs and postcards. The Collison fonds also includes some records created by his children and grandchildren as well as a family tree created in 1986. The Collison fonds has been divided into four series.
Collison, W.H. (Archdeacon)Series consists of journals, draft manuscripts, correspondence, CMS documents and orders, speeches, sermons all written by or to Archdeacon W. H. Collison. Series also contains correspondence to W.E. Collison and Joyce Collison, genealogical information on the Collison family, newspaper clippings and a school paper written by Archdeacon Collison's grandaughter Katy.
Bertha Collison stands on lawn in front of house (wife of Rev. W.E. Collison).
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Mother / Prince Rupert".
Series consists of images pertaining the Collison family, North Coastal First Nations communities, means of transportation along North Coastal British Columbia, and various church structures and religious events.
Photograph depicts a large totem pole next to groomed dirt paths. Power poles and river visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Edenshaw pole in park at Prince Rupert."
Groups of men and women can be seen gathered on paths between two large totem poles.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Totem Park Pr Rupert park."
Photograph depicts a totem pole standing on what appears to be a large wooden deck or boardwalk, view of the city in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Totem pole in park in Prince Rupert".
Rev. William Edwin Collison stands to left of wife Bertha who sits on front steps of large shingled home, flower pots in background (oldest son of of Archdeacon W.H. Collison).
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Dad & Mother Prince Rupert".
Bertha Collison stands on front steps, to left of second woman standing below.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Mother & Aunt Rose Davies at our house in Prince Rupert".
Photograph of the Prince Rupert wharf. A small vessel is docked, and a large tree is in the foreground. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert Wharf & Harbor. Allen Photo." Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "766[?]"
Photograph of the SS "Distributor" in the open water, with another vessel and mountains in the background. Several passengers and/or crew are visible on deck. Annotation on recto reads: "SS 'Distributor' at Prince Rupert, BC Allen Photo 5/June/0[?]."
Close up photograph of a large residential building in a freshly clear cut area. To the right of the main building is the church and an unidentified commercial building. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert, BC 1660."
Wide angle photograph of Prince Rupert sometime during the winter. There is snow on the ground and a marge mountain range is visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert looking East from Waterworks J.D.A Pho 5/2."
Archdeacon W.H. Collison and an unidentified man on the "Dawn," Collison's boat. Forested hills and several buildings are visible in the background. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "The 'Dawn' Archdeacon Collison's boat."
Photograph of a factory on the shoreline amidst a forested area. The factory is emitting steam or smoke and has a white exterior. Annotation on recto reads "Canadian Fish & Cold Storage Co. Prince Rupert BC."
Photo of the Prince Rupert harbour. Many buildings are visible along the shoreline. Annotation on recto reads: "Harbour, Prince Rupert BC. 1658." Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Early Prince Rupert. Good view of Metlakatla Passage in distance- showery[?] Wolf Island."
Large crowd is gathered around main building in a harbor. Many boats visible in foreground. Smoke from tugboat partially obscures the scene. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC. Photo by MCrae Bros."
Photograph of residents in motion on Centre Street in Prince Rupert. Buildings are visible on either side of the street and a railway track runs down the length of the road. Annotation on recto reads: "Centre Street, Prince Rupert, BC. 1664."
Photograph of the Prince Rupert wharf. Many vessels are docked next to small buildings along the water. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC."
Photograph of a small vessel on the ocean with a dock and harbour buildings in the foreground. Tents and piles of lumber can be seen among the buildings. Annotation on recto reads: "The Wharf, Prince Rupert, BC. 1657." Printed annotation on verso reads "The Wharf, Prince Rupert, BC J. Howard A. Chapman, Victoria. BC. 1657."
Wide angle photograph of many buildings scattered in a clear cut area. Foreground shows several businesses, including "Kelly Carruther's Supply" and "Prince Rupert Hardware and Supply Co." Some remaining forest is visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert, BC 1659."
Photograph of large crowd spanning the frame of the photograph. A large marching band is visible along the edges of a small clearing in the centre. Annotation on recto reads: "May 24th Prince Rupert BC."
Photo of the Prince Rupert harbour. Many buildings are visible along the shoreline. Annotation on recto reads: "Harbour, Prince Rupert, BC. 1658."
Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: "Dad [W.E. Collison] on ‘Naskeena’ – Prince Rupert Harboue en route to Nass River”.
Head on shot of steam engine traveling through a pass with mountains in the background. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: "First Passenger Engine to reach Prince Rupert." Annotation on recto reads: "First Passenger Engine at Prince Rupert." Photographer' stamp in bottom right corner of recto reads : "Allen Photo."
Several large buildings on a rocky shore. Wood piles and a crane are visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC"
Photograph of a marching band performing down a wooden road. Spectators can be seen in the foreground and various businesses are in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC."
Illustration of a large ocean liner in dry dock. The name "Minnesota" is inscribed on the top right side of vessel. Annotation on recto reads: "William T. Donnelly Consulting Engineer 17 Battery Place Tel. Rector 1491 20000 tons pontoon floating dry dock Prince Rupert, BC"
Photograph of a partially sunken sailboat near a harbour. Individuals on debris and in a rowboat are surveying the damage. Annotation on recto reads: "GTP. SS Prince Rupert Sept 28th 1920 McRae." Handwritten annotation on verso reads "CTP "Prince Rupert" Sunk at Prince Rupert BC 1920."
Photograph of the bay at dusk. Trees and distant machinery are silhouetted against a cloudy sky and dark waterfront. Annotation on recto reads: "Across the Bay, Prince Rupert, BC No 4466."
Photograph of Archdeacon WH Collison reclining against a large tree with a group of friends and family. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Arch. Collison with sons Max & Arthur & friends in mountains above Portland [?] Canal Me."
Photograph of a small marching band parading down Second Avenue in Prince Rupert. A large crowd is gathered. Annotation on recto reads: "Photo by MacRae Bros Prince Rupert BC 2nd Ave Prince Rupert BC."
Photo of entire ship building plant, including several vessels in the foreground. Hills are visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert Ship Repair and Ship Building Plant. Prince Rupert BC. Frank E Kirby, William T Donnelly, Engineers. 17 Battery Place. NYC."
View of the road descending to the waterfront. Buildings and forested area are visible on either side of street. Mountains clear in the background.
Photograph of three Tsimshian mortuary poles. Two crossed logs rest atop the three poles. Annotation on recto reads: "Indian Mortuary Poles Nr Prince Rupert BC McRae Bros."
Wide angled photograph of a sunset on the waterfront in Prince Rupert. Several buildings are silhouetted in the foreground. Annotation on recto: "Sunset, Prince Rupert, BC No. 4465."
Photograph of post office and neighbouring building. Both buildings are composed of wood and tent materials. Annotation on recto reads: "Post Office & Customs House, Prince Rupert, BC."
Members of the Collison family casually fishing from a large dock. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Collison family fishing from dock (Portland[?] Canal) {Max Elsie Henry Will Arthur Herbert}."
Photograph of several floats parading down Second Avenue in Prince Rupert. A large crowd is gathered. Annotation on recto reads: "Photo by MacRae Bros Prince Rupert BC Prince Rupert B."
Photograph of the Prince Rupert wharf. A small vessel is docked, and a large tree is in the foreground. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert Wharf & Harbor. Allen Photo."
Group of men and women pose by large building. W.H. Collison sits second from left in second row, W.E. Collison stands third from right in back.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Early synod of the Anglican Church at Prince Rupert B.C."
Photograph depicts a large ship behind dock buildings. Railroad crosses foreground, hills visible on shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Drydock Prince Rupert".
Photograph depicts buildings visible through clearing in trees. Water crosses foreground, hills visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Dry dock / Prince Rupert B.C."
Slightly overhead shot of a large crowd gathered by general store and railroad. Annotation on recto reads: "Overseas contingent leaving Prince Rupert BC Feb 26th 1915. McRae Bros."
Group stands and sits in front of a large building. W.H. Collison stands fifth from left, W.E. Collison on far right.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Synod at Prince Rupert BC".
Group of men and women pose by large building. W.H. Collison sits second from left in front, W.E. Collison stands third from right in back.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Anglican Church Synod / Prince Rupert".
Group stands in front of a large building, W.H. Collison on left.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Arch. WH Collison / Bishop [Du Vernet?] / Arch. Bish. [Du Pencior?] at Prince Rupert".
Photograph depicts a large ship behind dock buildings. Railroad crosses foreground, hills visible on shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Ship in Pr. Rupert dry dock during Great War 1915?".
Photograph depicts a large ship behind dock buildings. Railroad crosses foreground, hills visible on shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Pr. Rupert Drydock".
Photograph of a large explosion next to a huge pile of debris. Buildings are visible on either side and railroad track can be seen in the foreground. Annotation on recto reads: "The Last Big Blast, Prince Rupert BC 21 Jan 1914 McRae Bros. Photo"