Fonds 174 - Curtis Merrill fonds

[Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Aklavik] [Aklavik] [Aklavik] [Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Mackenzie Delta] [Inuvik] [Inuvik] [Inuvik] [Inuvik] [Mackenzie Delta] [Inuvik] [Inuvik] [Inuvik] [Inuvik]

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Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Curtis Merrill fonds

General material designation

Textual record
Graphic material
Moving images

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

Level of description

Fonds

Repository

Northwest Territories Archives

Reference code

174

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)

1954-1962 (Creation)

Creator

Merrill, Curtis

Physical description area

Physical description

5 cm of textual records
346 photographs: col. slides
6 reels of film : 16mm
1 videocassette : Umatic copy of original
13 pieces of film

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

Parallel titles of publisher's series

Other title information of publisher's series

Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series

Numbering within publisher's series

Note on publisher's series

Archival description area

Name of creator

Merrill, Curtis

Biographical history

Curtis Leroy Merrill was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, on April 20, 1917. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology, and was a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Merrill took part in two Canadian Expeditions to the Arctic Islands, and was a member of the 1949 Foxe Basin Expedition.

In 1952, Merrill began working for the Defense Research Board. In 1954, he was seconded to the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources to head a survey team which was sent to the Mackenzie Delta to find a location suitable for a new town site to replace Aklavik. The survey crew commenced work in March 1954 and focused their efforts upon three possible locations, the Husky site located at Husky Channel, East 3 and East 4. East 3, which was renamed Inuvik in 1957, was eventually chosen as the location of the new town site. Merrill led the project until 1956 when he was appointed District Administrator of the Mackenzie District and was transferred to Fort Smith. Merrill was transferred to Ottawa in 1963.

Curtis married Mary and they had six children: David, Bill, Robert (Bob), Greg, and Janice. After being transferred to Ottawa, the family lived near Wakefield, Quebec, and then along the Gatineau River. Curtis Merrill retired from the federal government in the late 1970s. In the mid to late 1990s, Curtis and Mary moved to Deep River, Ontario. Curtis Merrill died on September 22, 2010.

Custodial history

Scope and content

This fonds consists of 5 cm of textual records, 346 photographs (colour slides), 6 reels of film (16mm original masters), 13 pieces of film, and 1 Umatic videocassette (archival master). The textual records consist of two bound volumes, one a diary documenting research and survey work, and the other a vessel log. The textual records also include a folder containing narration intented for one or two of the film reels. The photographs depict members of the survey crew and the Local Aklavik Advisory Committee at work during the initial survey and the later construction at Inuvik. The slides also document various aspects of the survey work including clearing ground cover, drilling test holes and constructing roads. Additionally, the photographs depict various buildings being constructed at Inuvik and some close-ups of pile driving and the construction of the town's utilidor system. The slides are originals created by Curtis Merrill, with the exception of a few duplicate slides created by Roger Brown. These duplicate slides carry the notation "R.B.". The film reels and videocassette primarily feature Aklavik and the construction of the new settlement of Inuvik (initially known as East 3). One reel is believed to be from Merrill's 1949 film of an expedition to Foxe Basin. There is also footage of the South Slave Region, Great Slave Lake, and Nahanni Butte. The 13 pieces of film contain outtakes from the Aklavik/Inuvik footage.

Notes area

Physical condition

Arrangement

Language of material

Script of material

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

No access restrictions.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

Finding aid available.

Associated materials

Duplicate slides are held by Curtis Merrill and the Inuvik Centennial Library. A selection of images from this fonds was duplicated and presented to the town of Inuvik in 1984.

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