William Fruet Fonds

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of 732 photographic negatives and prints. Almost all of the negatives and photographs are landscapes taken in the foothills of southwestern Alberta. About 10 percent of the fonds deals with other subjects, among them: Lethbridge street scenes and parades, the Sons of Freedom, Let…

History Biographical: William Fruet was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. He emigrated to Canada in 1924, living first in southern Saskatchewan and then in Lethbridge from 1926 until his death. Mr. Furet married Genevieve (Jenny) Louise Fruet and the couple had two sons and two daughters: William (wife Ida), Stanley, Maxine (Mrs. Gerald Ikle), and Carol (Mrs. Tim Walker). In 1938 Mr. Fruet opened Fruet Studio, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1972. Mr. Fruet specialized in portraits, child studies and grauation photographs. For some years he was responsible for taking class photographs in the Lethbridge public school system. Mr. Fruet was a member of the Miners Library Club and the Labour Club. William Fruet died on 7 October 1973, age 67, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery. Additional information: The original print entitled "Alberta Foothills" (negative 20011020176) with framing 22 3/4" h x 16" was published into the Victoria Salon of Photography catalog. William Fruet was invited to exhibit at the International Exhibition of Pictorial Photography hosted by Leicester & Leicestershire Photography Society to be held in the City Art Gallery - New Walk - Leicester from April 6 th to May 5 th 1946. The print is owned by Virginia Barr, who kindly provided the information to the Galt Museum & Archives. The information suggests that the Alberta Foothills series of landscapes were produced by William Fruet in the 1940s.

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of 732 photographic negatives and prints. Almost all of the negatives and photographs are landscapes taken in the foothills of southwestern Alberta. About 10 percent of the fonds deals with other subjects, among them: Lethbridge street scenes and parades, the Sons of Freedom, Lethbridge schools, teachers and students, and experimental portrait work.