FOR RELEASE     #07-246
November 14, 2007

WHITEHORSE – Friends of the Yukon Archives Society (FOYAS) and the Yukon government have partnered to present Portrait of the Yukon: Selections from the Photography of Claude Tidd, announced Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor.

The exhibit includes a selection of images from the collection of Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and photographer Claude Tidd who lived in a number of Yukon communities from 1915-1947.

“Yukon is rich in the personal histories of remarkable people who have contributed to the economic, social and cultural fabric of Yukon,” Taylor said. “On behalf of the Yukon government, I congratulate Friends of the Yukon Archives Society, working with Yukon Archives, in promoting our unique northern history for all to enjoy.”
Claude Tidd is well remembered for capturing on film community activities, social events, his many friends and colleagues, and his wife Mary.
Photographic images in the current exhibit were selected and printed from Tidd’s originals by contemporary Yukon photographer Robin Armour. All original images are held at the Yukon Archives as part of the Claude and Mary Tidd fonds. Other records held at the Archives include Claude Tidd’s films and articles, Tidd family correspondence, and a sound recording featuring both Mary and Claude.

“We are grateful to Mr. Armour for donating his exhibit A Portrait of the Yukon, 1915-1947: The Photography of Sgt. Claude Tidd, RCMP to the Yukon Archives for permanent preservation,” FOYAS Chair Helene Dobrowolsky said.  “We also thank the Department of Tourism and Culture for funding the exhibition of these wonderful photographs.”

The exhibit will run from Nov. 16, 2007 to Jan. 31, 2008 in the Hougen Heritage Gallery at Arts Underground. 

Additional information on Claude Tidd and his photography can be found at the Yukon Archives Images Database http://www.yukonarchives.ca/ or online at the web exhibit entitled A Yukon Romance: Claude and Mary Tidd at http://www.yukonromance.ca/.

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Below:

Andrew Cruikshank (left) and Claude Tidd  (right), Dawson City, 1926

Tidd was an accomplished musician, playing saxophone, trombone, drums and piano. He played piano for the silent movies in theatres on the prairies before joining the N.W.M.P. While in Dawson he taught many people to play saxophone and piano.