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Don Brestler fonds

https://collections.galtmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions98084
Date Range
1902-2019
Description Level
Fonds
Accession No.
20201045
Physical Description
176.5 cm of textual records, 96 photographic prints, 1 negative
Scope and Content
2020.1045/001: ‘Spirit of the West’ book and Miscellaneous Artwork. 1999-2019. 2020.1045/002: Life’s Amusing Moments book. 2013. 2020.1045/003: Poems for Ingrid booklet. 2018. 2020.1045/004: Cowboy Embers book. 2009. 2020.1045/005: Cowboy Memoirs book of art. 2005. 2020.1045/006: A Young Adult’s Gu…
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Date Range
1902-2019
Description Level
Fonds
Creator
Don Brestler
Physical Description
176.5 cm of textual records, 96 photographic prints, 1 negative
History / Biographical
Don Brestler was a rancher, artist and community activist who lived in the Pincher Creek area. Born in Calgary, Brestler got involved with the local ranching and cowboy community early in his life, which became a life-long passion and lifestyle. Brestler was a multitalented and self-taught artist, songwriter, poet, and writer. He wrote for many local Southern Alberta community papers and magazines. His artwork was also featured in several local publications. He wrote multiple books, stories, articles, poems, and other materials over the course of more than 50 years. Don Brestler worked for the Calgary Police service in the 1960s. His artworks were made into cards that friends and family and his local community received every Christmas. He was heavily involved in the local Church community and other community services in Pincher Creek and Twin Butte. He was the first musician to perform at the Cowboy Poetry in Canada in Pincher Creek, and became a big supporter of other local artists and the freedom of music in Canada.
Scope and Content
2020.1045/001: ‘Spirit of the West’ book and Miscellaneous Artwork. 1999-2019. 2020.1045/002: Life’s Amusing Moments book. 2013. 2020.1045/003: Poems for Ingrid booklet. 2018. 2020.1045/004: Cowboy Embers book. 2009. 2020.1045/005: Cowboy Memoirs book of art. 2005. 2020.1045/006: A Young Adult’s Guide to the Canadian West book. 2002. 2020.1045/007: Face into the Wind book. 200-? 2020.1045/008: My Summer of a Remembered Love booklet. 2013-2014. 2020.1045/009: Original Musical Compositions –CD’s. 1982-2015. 2020.1045/010: Sketches: Part I. 1960?-2006. 2020.1045/011: Sketches: Part II. 1955-2013. 2020.1045/012: Dog, Coyote, Wolf Sketches. 1960-2002. 2020.1045/013: Small Animal Sketches. 1990. 2020.1045/014: Bus Sketches. 1967-2016. 2020.1045/015: Don’s Building Supply Materials. 1982-2017. 2020.1045/016: Miscellaneous Sketches of Cars, Equipment, etc. 1954-2004. 2020.1045/017: Outdoor, horses, donkeys and car sketches. 1960-2000. 2020.1045/018: Cattle and Rodeo Sketches. 1962-1981. 2020.1045/019: Horses and Landscape Sketches. 196-?-2005. 2020.1045/020: Bear and Big Horn Sheep Sketches. 1958-1997. 2020.1045/021: Indigenous Culture Notes and Sketches. 1956-1997. 2020.1045/022: Bronc Riding, Clothing, People Sketches. 1960-2001. 2020.1045/023: Bird Sketches. 1971-2003. 2020.1045/024: Old Chief Mountain Sketches. 1955-2001. 2020.1045/025: Hunting and Fishing Sketches. 1958-1989. 2020.1045/026: Cougar, Lynx Sketches. 1967-1995? 2020.1045/027: Elk, Deer, Moose Sketches. 1965-2005. 2020.1045/028: Scenery Sketches. 1962-2011. 2020.1045/029: Buffalo Sketches. 1958-1984? 2020.1045/030: Old Time Article Sketches: Part I. 1960-2012. 2020.1045/031: Old Time Article Sketches: Part II. 1958-2002. 2020.1045/032: Personal Notes – drawings, hunting, songs, etc. 1956-2018. 2020.1045/033: Horse and Rider Sketches. 1962-2001. 2020.1045/034: Wildlife Sketches. 1969-2006. 2020.1045/035: More Rodeo Sketches. 1960-2008. 2020.1045/036: Advertisement Sketches. 1986-1997. 2020.1045/037: Various Pencil Sketches – Nature and People. 1968-2018. 2020.1045/038: Sketches – Scenes of Ranch Life. 1962-2001. 2020.1045/039: Trail Riding Sketches? 1965-2005. 2020.1045/040: Cattle Herding Sketches. 1958-2007? 2020.1045/041: Sketches of Advertisements for Local Businesses. 1989-2000. 2020.1045/042: Cowboy Life, Ram and Elk Sketches. 1959-2012. 2020.1045/043: Outdoor and Wildlife Sketches. 1971-1993. 2020.1045/044: Designs for Music, Programs, and Logos. 1961-1981. 2020.1045/045: Night Scenery Sketches. 1964-1981. 2020.1045/046: Hunting and Camping Sketches. 1958-1982. 2020.1045/047: ‘The Rugged Life’ Sketches. 1969-1983? 2020.1045/048: Sketches of Moose. 1964-1992. 2020.1045/049: Research for his drawings and writings. 1902-1929. 2020.1045/050: Christmas Card Ideas. 1967-2006. 2020.1045/051: Sketches - Cowboy’s on the Prairies. 1961-1995. 2020.1045/052: Corner Sketches – Miscellaneous horses, cows, and scenes. 1962-2001. 2020.1045/053: Newsletter Article Sketches. 1964-2002. 2020.1045/054: ‘Cowboy’s Return’, ‘Foreman’, ‘Westerama’ sketches and others. 1950-1996? 2020.1045/055: Various Elk Sketches. 1963-2003. 2020.1045/056: Various Big Horn Sheep Pencil Sketches. 1965-1992. 2020.1045/057: Grizzly Bear Sketches. 1967-1994. 2020.1045/058: Drawing Inspirations: Part I. 1951-2008. 2020.1045/059: ‘Heading Them Down to the Feed ground’, ‘Last Gate’, and other Sketches. 1972-1975. 2020.1045/060: Christmas Card Ideas, Cowboy Poetry and Novel Things. 1960-2005. 2020.1045/061: Drawing Inspirations: Part II. 200-? 2020.1045/062: ‘20 Years of Gathering’ Pincher Creek – Drawing. 2007. 2020.1045/063: Short Stories, Articles, and Resources for Writings. 1983-1994. 2020.1045/064: Don’s Write-Ups’: ‘Ralph’ and ‘Cloudy Ridges’ stories. 1999-2003. 2020.1045/065: Don Brestler Media Coverage. 1986-2014. 2020.1045/066: Editing Example? News story about a local Southern Alberta girl and her experience getting lost in the forest; it is believed that Don Brestler was editing the story. 1994. 2020.1045/067: Letters - about SOCAN and Freedom of Music. 2009-2012. 2020.1045/068: The Apricot Ram – Short Story. 1988-1989. 2020.1045/069: The Dark Grizzly Story. 1985-1997. 2020.1045/070: World’s Record Big Horn Sheep article. 12 photographic prints of the animal. 1985. 2020.1045/071: Ranchland Grizzlies –Story, Correspondence. 1997-2001. 2020.1045/072: Western Outdoor Adventure Illustrations. 1986-2002. 2020.1045/073: World’s Largest Moose – article, research. 3 photographic prints. 1996. 2020.1045/074: REBEL. 1 photographic print. 2005. 2020.1045/075: Correspondences with Local Magazines. 1987-2005. 2020.1045/076: Knight Ranch Materials. 1952-2004. 2020.1045/077: Various Correspondences. 1990-2015. 2020.1045/078: The Red Ram –article. 1984-2008. 2020.1045/079: The Old Knight Ranch – Cowboy Memories: Final Version Manuscript. 2004. 2020.1045/080: The Old Knight Ranch – A Cowboy Remembers: Draft Version Manuscript. 2004. 2020.1045/081: Miscellaneous Writings – ‘When Santa Turned Turkey Rustler’, ‘Twin Butte – Past’, etc. 1967-2013. 2020.1045/082: Letters to the Government. 1988-2013. 2020.1045/083: Personal Writings – ‘The Meadows’, ‘A Pathway of Change’, and other notes. 2014. 2020.1045/084: Writings and Poetry. 1995-2014. 2020.1045/085: Poems from the 1950s to 2014. 1951-2014. 2020.1045/086: ‘Midnight’- story and research. 1955-2000. 2020.1045/087: ‘My Summer of A Remembered Love’: Draft Version. 1988-2014. 2020.1045/088: Miscellaneous Stories, Personal Notes and other Writings. 3 photos. 1951-2015. 2020.1045/089: Original Copies of ‘Life’s Amusing Moments’, ‘Ralph’, and more. 1988-2013. 2020.1045/090: Outdoor Adventure Articles, Brief Biography, and other Writings. 1957-2015. 2020.1045/091: Original Sketches for ‘Life’s Amusing Little Moments’. 1959-2013. 2020.1045/092: Letters and Personal Communications to Jim Green: Part I. 1994-2011. 2020.1045/093: Letters and Personal Communications to Jim Green: Part II. 1985-1999. 2020.1045/094: Artwork and Stories in the Pincher Creek Cooperative Newsletter. 1985-1994? 2020.1045/095: Sketchbook – Paintings and Colours. 1963-1966. 2020.1045/096: Photographs of the Homestead. 6 photographic prints. 1957-2000. 2020.1045/097: Senior Sunday School Certificate. 1949. 2020.1045/098: Art References. References Brestler made for his artwork. 1997. 2020.1045/099: Branding information on Brestler's ranch. 1969-1998? 2020.1045/100: Don’s reading notes. 1962-2001? 2020.1045/101: Various Articles, Illustrations, and Captions. 3 photographic prints. 1957-1999. 2020.1045/102: Diary of Don Brestler. 1960-1965. 2020.1045/103: Binder of Miscellaneous Letters, Cards, etc. 11 photographic prints. 1960-1991. 2020.1045/104: Song and Poem ideas. 1988-2018. 2020.1045/105: Photographs of Don Brestler. 20 photographic prints, 1 negative frame. 1956-2007. 2020.1045/106: Don and Claude Choe – Rotary. 6 photographic prints. 2008. 2020.1045/107: Posters, Stories, and Pamphlets. 1 photographic print. 1989-2017. 2020.1045/108: More Poems – ‘Dear Don’ notes, ‘What Really is Life’, etc. 2000-2018. 2020.1045/109: Alberta Cattlemen’s Fellowship New Testament. 1978-1983. 2020.1045/110: Christmas and Faith Materials. 1969-2018. 2020.1045/111: Cowboy Poetry Materials: Part I. 1989-2007. 2020.1045/112: Cowboy Poetry Materials: Part II. 1988-2007. 2020.1045/113: Song Lyrics and Inspirations. 1994-1998. 2020.1045/114: Oversized Artwork for Calendars, Flyers, and more. 1973-2011? 2020.1045/115: Book of Songs #1. 1958-1973. 2020.1045/116: Book of Songs #2. 1974-1978. 2020.1045/117: Book of Songs #3. 1978-1981. 2020.1045/118: Book of Songs #4. 1981-2005. 2020.1045/119: Book of Songs #5. 1982-1994. 2020.1045/120: Book of Songs #6. 1994-2000. 2020.1045/121: Book of Songs #7. 2000-2003. 2020.1045/122: Book of Songs #8. 1982-2010. 2020.1045/123: Book of Songs #9. 2005-2008. 2020.1045/124: Book of Songs #10. 2007-2011. 2020.1045/125: Book of Songs #11. 1989-2010. 2020.1045/126: Book of Songs #12. 2010-2013. 2020.1045/127: Book of Songs #13. 1983-2015. 2020.1045/128: Book of Songs #14. 2002-2016. 2020.1045/129: Book of Songs #15. 2016-2017. 2020.1045/130: Book of Songs and Poems #16. 2017-2018. 2020.1045/131: Family History. 3 photographic prints. 1962-2015. 2020.1045/132: Notebooks on the North West Mounted Police – Research for ‘Old Time Articles’. 4 notebooks. 1971-1993. 2020.1045/133: Photographs of Trail Riding in Waterton. 22 photographic prints. 1955-1963. 2020.1045/134: Artwork Catalogue: Part I. A catalogue of artworks and cards by Brestler. 1986-1996? 2020.1045/135: Artwork Catalogue: Part II. A catalogue of artworks and cards by Brestler. 1957-1992. 2020.1045/136: Personal Notes on Brandings and Friends. 1991-2010. 2020.1045/137: Ingrid Brestler Notes. Notes written by Ingrid Brestler and notes for her from Don Brestler. 2017-2019. 2020.1045/138: ‘Lonely Road’, ‘Dear Don’, and other Song Drafts. 2007-2018. 2020.1045/139: Music Chords and Guitar Runs. Music written by Brestler. 1974-2017. 2020.1045/140: Poems and Purposed Songs. 2019. 2020.1045/141: ‘Face into the Wind’ Manuscript, with additions made. 1998. 2020.1045/142: Angels in The Snow – book. 1995. 2020.1045/143: Chapel Rock Revival. CD and cassette tapes of original music. 1996-2001. 2020.1045/144: Seasons of the Sun Master CD. 199-? 2020.1045/145: Seasons of the Sun Data Files. 3 CD’s. 199-? 2020.1045/146: Master Tapes of ‘Oldtime Cowboy’, ‘Rhythm of a Heartbeat’, and ‘Western Destiny’. 3 Master CD’s. 1995-1997. 2020.1045/147: Pathways of Love Album. 5 CD’s of the songs created for this album. 199-? 2020.1045/148: ‘Destiny of the Wind’ and ‘Twilight of the Dawn’. 2 CD’s. 2006. 2020.1045/149: Practice Mixes. 3 CD’s. 2006. 2020.1045/150: Cassette Tapes. 2 Cassette tapes titled ‘Don Brestler’ and ‘Music for the photo part of Don’s DVD A Don’s original songs. Elvis: If I can dream’. 198-? 2020.1045/151: Cartoons. Drawings of cartoons by Brestler. 1991-2016. 2020.1045/152: Art for Lennoche Publishers. 2003-2004. 2020.1045/153: Greeting Cards Sent to Don Brestler. 1959-1985. 2020.1045/154: Western Sportsman Correspondences. 1998-2006. 2020.1045/155: Hunting Sketches in Pen. 2000-2001. 2020.1045/156: More Personal Notes: Part I. 5 photographic prints. 1969-2015. 2020.1045/157: Promotional Posters for Original Songs. 1995-2000. 2020.1045/158: Tanaka Studio Records. 1995-2011. 2020.1045/159: More Personal Notes: Part II – song lyrics. 1996-2017. 2020.1045/160: Typed Songs. 1956-2014. 2020.1045/161: Copyright Songs. 1958-1975. 2020.1045/162: More Personal Notes: Part III. 1954-2019. 2020.1045/163: Oversized Posters and other Artworks. 1958-1985? 2020.1045/164: Scrapbook of Artwork, Cards, Letters, etc. 1955-2018? 2020.1045/165: Field Sketches Scrapbook. 1955-1965? 2020.1045/166: More Personal Notes: Part IV. 1956-2018. 2020.1045/167: Songs and Lyrics sent to A. Gupta. 1960-2018? 2020.1045/168: Various Write Ups About “Life”. 2018. 2020.1045/169: More Poems, Song Lyrics, and Notes. 2002-2017. 2020.1045/170: Light on the Horizon – Story and Notes. 2008. 2020.1045/171: More Posters and other Artworks: Part II. 1958-2016? 2020.1045/172: ‘Hello Harvey’, ‘A Message to Heaven’ writings. 2006-2009. 2020.1045/173: ‘May’ – Writings and Drawings. 2007. 2020.1045/174: Whispers in the Wind. 2004-2005. 2020.1045/175: Notes on Who Received his Artwork. 2004-2017. 2020.1045/176: ‘Vision of Autumn’, ‘Too Busy’, ‘El Matador’ and other Writings. 1992-2017.
Accession No.
20201045
Collection
Archive
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