Show& Tell / April - June 2018
The 150th Anniversary of Canada
Canadian Cultural Heritage
The year 2017 was Canada’s 150th anniversary. To extend and
commemorate Canada’s Culture and Heritage, this year our Website’s “Show
& Tell” section will be dedicated to heritage buildings and historical
sites. In the coming months, two of these structures, lighthouses and covered
bridges, will be shown as seen by our rug hookers. Starting in January,
Lighthouses will be highlighted in Show & Tell, to be followed by Covered
bridges a few months later.
Show & Tell : Covered Bridges!
From the middle 1800’s to the middle 2000’s over 1000 to
1200 covered bridges were built in Quebec alone, and, of these, 82 were still
in existence in 2012. (Certain sources claim 100). These structures were
erected to facilitate the transport of timber across watercourses, replacing
the early primitive bridges made out of exposed wooden boards, which,
unprotected from the elements, were rotting quickly and were hazardous for the
users. Covering the bridge with a roof meant a longer lifespan for the bridge
and protection for the horses and pedestrians. Over the years, many of
these bridges were restored and are still in use today for pedestrians and
cyclists. The longest covered bridge in the world is in Hartland, New
Brunswick. It is the subject of Claire Fradette’s rug, seen here.
To learn more about covered bridges, please visit:
Blogue sur les ponts couverts (In French only)
Covered Bridges Map (Interactive Map)
 |
| St André Covered Bridge by Denise Morissette |
St. André Covered Bridge
Denise Morissette
My inspiration for the covered bridge was found on the internet from a photo taken by Pierre L'Homme on November 10, 2006 of St. André bridge, west of St. Sylvestre, in Quebec.
I used recycled wool, hooked it in cuts no. 6, 5 and 3. It measures 20 X 17 inches.
 |
| The Hartland Covered bridge by Claire Fradette |
The Hartland Covered Bridge
By Claire Fradette
I hooked this rug in a # 4 cut. It is 20”x 14” and is adapted from a photo.
Built in 1898, and with its 1,282 feet long, the Hartland covered bridge is the world’s longest. It crosses the Saint John River from Hartland to Somerville, New Brunswick. I remember going through it as a young child, New Brunswick being my native province.
In 1987, the Olympic Torch for the 1988 Winter Olympics crossed the bridge and a 1995 Canadian postage stamp honours it.
 |
| Covered bridge by Candace Fradette |
Covered Bridge
Candace Fradette
A small covered bridge on County Road 19 in Williamstown, Ontario. The South Branch of the Raison River runs through it. Presently on private property.
