Bringing Banff Guided Tours to Life at The Whyte: Meet the Summer Interpreters

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By Julie Fesseler, Tour Program Manager

Every summer at The Whyte, a new team of Museum Interpreters brings Banff to life. Part storyteller, part guide, part cultural connector, they are the friendly faces who welcome visitors into Banff’s art, history, and culture. Their work is more than simply leading tours; it’s about opening doors into the past, sparking curiosity, and helping visitors see this extraordinary place with fresh eyes.

Whether you are interested in the impressive legacy of the Whytes, the history of the Canadian Rockies, or the fine arts, our interpreters are eager to guide you through it. Our team this year brings enthusiasm, a hunger for learning and an abundance of interest in sharing Banff with you.

Julia, Matt, Meghan, and Olivia are joining The Whyte from across Canada, and they come with diverse academic and museum backgrounds. Yet despite their differences, their interests unite in one central focus: the shared passion to connect people to place, and the shared belief that Banff’s cultural heritage is as inspiring as its landscape.

A Shared Passion for Our Cultural Landscape

Each interpreter is bringing a special enthusiasm to this team, stemming from their own interests:

• Julia, originally from Fort McMurray and a recent Queen’s University graduate, wanted to experience a new part of Canada. “I have a passion for land‑based knowledge and local Canadian art and history, so the Whyte felt like a natural first pick.” 

  
  

• Matt, raised between Calgary and Harvie Heights, brings both a local’s familiarity and a historian’s curiosity. “Since I partially grew up here, I’m able to connect very well with the stories being told.” Currently studying History at the University of Calgary, he sees this role as a meaningful step toward a future in museums or other historical professions.

  
  

• Born and raised in Calgary, Meghan studies history with a focus on women’s grassroots organizations in Calgary around the mid-20th century. She was drawn to the museum’s blend of contemporary and historical storytelling, which she says, "creates a really interesting interaction with Banff and its legacies."

  
  

• Originally from Windsor, Olivia holds a Master’s in Art and Architectural History and has worked in art galleries, archives, and heritage homes. Her interests include Canadian modern women painters and the evolution of landscape painting. She was inspired by Banff’s intertwined natural and cultural histories, and by the opportunity to help others connect with them. As she puts it, “I find a lot of joy in encouraging people to have meaningful interactions with art and material culture, and to look with intention both inside and outside the gallery.”

  
  

What unites them is a shared fascination with Banff’s cultural landscape and a desire to help visitors see this place in a new way. Each interpreter has found stories that resonate personally - from the early days of skiing in the Rockies to Mary Schäffer’s colourized photographs, from Catharine Robb Whyte’s evocative portraits to the building of the railroad and the early infrastructures of the park.

Together, they bring a blend of passion, perspective and lived experience that enriches every tour. Their conversations with visitors often spark unexpected connections: memories of family trips, reflections on art, or new insights into the land itself. In this way, the interpreters serve as a bridge between the stories and those who are here today to learn about them.

If you are planning a visit to Banff this summer and are searching for a meaningful way to pass the time, be sure to attend a summer tour at The Whyte. Meet the team, explore the Heritage Gallery, wander through the art exhibitions, step inside the Historic Homes, and experience Banff’s stories through the people who love sharing them.

As Julia says, “The way in which The Whyte is able to convey this rich culture and history is such a valuable tool that I think visitors need to take advantage of.”

The Interpretation team is excited to welcome you and to help you see this place in a new way!

Discover Guided Summer Tours in Banff

The Whyte’s summer guided tours offer several ways to experience Banff’s art, history, and cultural landscape:

• Thick as Thieves Summer Exhibition Tour: A short guided tour through The Whyte’s current summer exhibition, free with admission.

  
  

• Banff Historic Homes Tour: A 25-minute tour inside the historic homes of Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte, as well as Philip and Pearl Moore.

  
  

• Heritage Gallery Tour: A 25-minute guided tour exploring the layered histories of Banff, the Bow Valley, and the people and places that shaped them, free with admission.

  
  

• Banff Walking Tour: A 60-minute guided walk through town, sharing stories of Banff’s early development, historic buildings, entrepreneurs, adventurers, and community members.

  
  

• Private Group Tours: Available by request, including Historic Homes, Historic Banff Walk, Heritage Gallery Tour, and the Women of the Rockies slideshow presentation.

  
  

If you are planning a visit to Banff this summer and are searching for a meaningful way to connect with the area, be sure to attend a summer tour at The Whyte. Meet the team, explore the Heritage Gallery, wander through the art exhibitions, step inside the Historic Homes, and experience Banff’s stories through the people who love sharing them.

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The Whyte is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 111 Bear Street in Banff, with tours offered throughout the season. To view current tour times, admission details, and booking information, visit the Tours page.

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