Item F2003:03/001-002 - Tropical Valley expedition

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Tropical Valley expedition

General material designation

  • moving images

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Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title taken from film contents and related documentation.

Level of description

Item

Reference code

F2003:03/001-002

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)

  • 1931 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

2 film reels : b&w (tinted), silent with inter-titles ; 35 mm

Publisher's series area

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Archival description area

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Custodial history

Scope and content

The item consists of two reels of documentary film. It shows an expedition through northeastern British Columbia by Mary Gibson Henry, Pennsylvania botanist and plantswoman. Mrs. Henry was interested in the legendary "Tropical Valley" of northern B.C., where the warmth of hot springs supposedly fostered vegetation not otherwise found in the region. The film was shot in the summer of 1931, during the first of four such journeys she made in the period 1931-1935. Mrs. Henry was accompanied by her husband, Dr. J. Norman Henry; four of her children; topographer Knox McCusker (of the Dominion Topographical Surveys Branch); Dr. B.H. Chandler, a surgeon friend; and outfitter S. Clark, as well as various wranglers. The second and third reels of this three-reel film show the party of 16 travelling by pack-train, crossing rivers, caching food, and fishing, as well as some camp scenes. At an encampment of "Grand Lake Indians" on the Tetsa River, they engage Charlie Macdonald, the chief's son, to guide them to Toad Hot Springs on the Toad River, but they do not proceed north to Liard Hot Springs. On the return trip south, stops include St. Paul's Lake, Henry River, and Lake Mary and Lake Josephine [named after the Henry's daughters]; these place names do not seem to have become official. Following the Peace River, they arrive at Hudson's Hope (having travelled 800 miles in 79 days), and continue down river to Taylor Flats.

Reel 1 of this film is missing, along with the actual title and credits.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

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Location of originals

Availability of other formats

A digital copy is available. Please contact staff for further information.
A VHS reference copy is available for this item, V2004:03/003.
Betacam SP video master, V2004:03/001.
U-Matic video sub-master, V2004:03/002.

Restrictions on access

No access restrictions apply.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Copyright undetermined.

Finding aids

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Related materials

Accruals

General note

References: V.C. Brink & R.S. Silver, "Mary Henry. . .," BC Historical News (Winter 1996-97), pp. 16-19.

General note

Accession number(s): F2003:03 ; 93-6657

General note

Previously described as AAAA5265.

Credits note

producing agency/company: Mary Gibson Henry [attrib.]; photography: J. Norman Henry; photography: Norman Henry (Jr.); photography: S. Clark

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