Artist Statement:

This has been a fascinating journey into the history of our home region of Peterborough County.  Kate interpreted the ideas with images painted on a series of tiles prepared and finished by Thomas.  The frame was constructed using recycled wood from an Ontario century home.

The work has the format of a quilt, the text and images sewn and layered together, giving glimpses of information.  We used pictures and quotes which capture the feeling of everyday life in the period 1830 to 1910, of which textile production was an essential part.  Also interwoven into this work are references to the First Nation peoples who were so involved in the lives and survival of the settler communities.

This quote by Frances Stewart runs through the mural.  We hope it will encourage people to save their historical and present treasures.

“Old letters! Oh, then spare them- they are priceless for their age! I love- oh, how I love to see each yellow, time-stained page! They tell of joys no more, of hopes that long fled. Old letters! Oh, then spare them-They are sacred to the dead!” (1)