Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Bernard Hamm Fonds |
| Reference code: | 0713 |
| Date: | 1950 – 1998 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 16 cm of textual materials
332 slides; colour 53 photographs; b & w |
| Language: | English |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Jack Lawrence, August 2024 |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Bernard Hamm was born in Alton, Manitoba on August 23, 1900 in a family of 13 children. After growing up and marrying Agnes in Manitoba they moved to Saskatchewan where Bernard began his career as a taxidermist and gave public lectures on wildlife. In 1940 Bernard and Agnes settled on a farm near to Saskatoon Mountain in the Peace Region. The couple farmed and trapped for several years before Bernard engaged in a four year duck banding project for Duck Unlimited. Agnes also started working as school teacher for the community of Sexsmith.
Around 1951 Bernard had developed an interest in the few remaining Trumpeter Swans living in the region and began conservation work with friends and colleagues to increase the species’ population. This became a life-long project, which included tracking the swan population and monitoring nests and egg clutches as well as public advocacy to promote interest in their protection. For the success of this work in restoring the Trumpeter Swan population, Bernard was awarded official status as a federal wildlife officer.
Bernard passed away in 1965, survived by Agnes and their four children; Harvey, Leslie, Ruby (Penner), and Darlene (Tracie).
Custodial history
Given to donor prior to the death of the records creator.
Scope and content
This fonds contains records that Bernard Hamm created and collected together, primarily related to his work as a naturalist, taxidermist, and of the preservation of Trumpeter Swans in the South Peace Region.
Included in the fonds are field notes and other writings tracking local bird populations, taxidermy records and reports to departments of the Federal and Provincial government, public speeches and correspondences with the public and other professionals, as well as photography related to Trumpeter Swan preservation or of the South Peace more broadly.
Notes
Restrictions on access
No restrictions on access.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Environment and nature* (subject)
Table of contents
0713.01, Photography, 1950 – 1964
0713.02, Field Books and Reports, 1954-1964
0713.03, Taxidermy Records and Presentation Notes, 1953 – 1967
0713.04, Speeches, Writings, Correspondences, 1955-1998
Series descriptions
| Series 0713.01: Photography
Date: 1950 – 1964 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series collects together a variety of slides relating to Bernard Hamm’s work as a naturalist, as well as depicting landscapes around Sexsmith, Clairmont Lake, Hudson Hope, Grande Prairie, Smoky River, Wapiti River, Fort St. John, Taylor, and Dunvegan. Subjects include animals, swan nests and eggs, a grain elevator fire in Sexsmith, canoeing, bridges, the Dunvegan ferry, taxidermy, and natural history museum exhibits. Physical description: 332 slides; colour 53 photographs; b & w Language of the material: English Publication status: Published |
| Series 0713.02: Field Books and Reports
Date: 1954-1964 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series contains field books that Bernard Hamm wrote as part of his work visiting different wildlife habitats. Data collected in field books include counts of different species, records of nests and eggs, and other details and general notes. Other reports and notes about related work is also included. Physical description: 8 cm of textual records Language of the material: English Publication status: Published |
| Series 0713.03: Taxidermy Records and Presentation Notes
Date: 1953 – 1967 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series contains records kept regarding taxidermy work and a notebook about presentations for schools. Included are related taxidermy permits and receipts. Physical description: 4 cm of textual materials Language of the material: English Publication status: Published |
| Series 0713.04: Speeches, Writings, Correspondences
Date: 1955-1998 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series contains a collection kept by Bernard of public speeches and writings he authored, correspondences with other professionals and interested parties, as well as related newspaper clippings and ephemera. Also included is a set of correspondences between Bernard’s son Harvey Hamm and Laurie Gogal. Physical description: 4 cm of textual materials Language of the material: English Publication status: Published |